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fredr123 · 10-01-2014, 07:59 AM

I'm installing three closets in the basement we are renovating. They each have two large bifold doors. I would like to install a system that turns the light on automatically when the door(s) are opened partly because it would be a cool feature but also because for two of the closets there is no place to put a switch that wouldn't look super dumb.

I've been considering something like this: http://www.smarthome.com/functional-...ontroller.html or this: http://www.closetlightrelay.com/index.html

The latter claims to work on all door types, including folding doors. The SmartHome solution looks a little more professional and credible.

My concern is that with all the play in a bifold closet door, the distance between the switch and the magnet might not be consistent. I have no idea what kind of tolerances there are with these magnetic switches so I'm not sure it will work well for my particular application. The last thing I'd want is for the closet light to come on in the middle of the night in my daughter's room and scare the crap out of her (although if that happened in the guest room where my mother in law was staying... bonus).

Has anyone had experience with a project like this?

10-01-2014, 07:59 AM	#181
fredr123 Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Exp:	I'm installing three closets in the basement we are renovating. They each have two large bifold doors. I would like to install a system that turns the light on automatically when the door(s) are opened partly because it would be a cool feature but also because for two of the closets there is no place to put a switch that wouldn't look super dumb. I've been considering something like this: http://www.smarthome.com/functional-...ontroller.html or this: http://www.closetlightrelay.com/index.html The latter claims to work on all door types, including folding doors. The SmartHome solution looks a little more professional and credible. My concern is that with all the play in a bifold closet door, the distance between the switch and the magnet might not be consistent. I have no idea what kind of tolerances there are with these magnetic switches so I'm not sure it will work well for my particular application. The last thing I'd want is for the closet light to come on in the middle of the night in my daughter's room and scare the crap out of her (although if that happened in the guest room where my mother in law was staying... bonus). Has anyone had experience with a project like this?