Hello funnyfarmer,
Thank you for your question.
I my experience, the best solution for automating or controlling any
home device that does not come with a remote is to use X-10 products.
SmartHome is an excellent resource for learning about these:
http://www.smarthome.com/
This page discusses lighting options and their ease of installation:
http://www.smarthome.com/x10map.html
"By far the easiest and least expensive home automation products
available!
X10/PLC Products Use Your Home's Electrical Wires
Simply plug a transmitter into one outlet, a receiver into another and
voila, you've got remote control! A fully automated home is no longer
sci-fi fantasy. You can have a house that caters to your every need -
turning on lights for you, adjusting the thermostat or even cranking
up the Jacuzzi while you're driving home from work! Using X10 products
is one of the easiest ways to automate your home - X10 command signals
travel over the existing power lines in your home, eliminating the
need for expensive rewiring..."
The lighting remote is featured on this page:
http://www.smarthome.com/2000.html
Remote Control Lighting Made Easy with Lamp Modules
X10 Compatible Lamp Modules
Automate your lights in seconds with these easy-to-use lamp modules
(2000SH).
Turn lamps on or off from anywhere in the house with no additional
wiring
Dim or brighten light levels with a universal remote control
Always come home to an illuminated home at night
Turn houselights on or off from the comfort of your bed
Add remote control to any lamp in your home in seconds! Just plug the
lamp into one of these X10 lamp modules, and then plug it into an
outlet, and the light can now be turned on or off, or dimmed and
brightened, from any X10 controller in the house.
Here's just a few of the things you can do:
Forgot to turn off the living room lights before climbing into bed?
Turn them off from your nightstand with a desktop X10 controller!
(#4030)
Want your family room lights to turn on before you come home at night?
Program them with an X10 timer! (#1100X)
Wish you could turn the houselights on or off from inside your car?
It's easy as ever with a keychain remote! (#4004)
Forgot to turn off the bedroom lamp before heading to work? Turn it
off with a phone call with a telephone transponder (#5000).
Want to protect your home from burglars? Automatically turn all lights
on before life threatening situations develop with an X10 motion
sensor (#4086V2).
Want to control lights with a universal remote control? Just add an
Infrared X10 Command Console (#4040).
You can also control lights from your PC, even voice-activated X10
controllers. All communication is sent over existing wiring in the
home — no new wiring required!
Please note: X10 Lamp Modules cannot be used with fluorescent lamps,
low voltage lamps. Use X10 Appliance Modules for these items. Also,
the 2000 was formerly known as the 2000PH..."
These products are available from many vendors, including SmartHome
and should fill your need for remote controlling you outside lights.
You might even find more uses around your house for this technology.
Search Strategy:
x-10
If a link above should fail to work or anything require further
explanation or research, please do post a Request for Clarification
prior to rating the answer and closing the question and I will be
pleased to assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
