Nehsmit Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Hi All, I have a stainless steel enclosure for my landscape lighting ballast. Ive used in the old days manual timers, but then upgraded to a C4 outlet but couldnt get a wifi signal into the stainless steel enclosure. I then tried a Wemo outlet and same issue. I basically have no control if the cover is closed. Any work arounds or thoughts on how to fix this annoyance. Ive programmed the landscape lights to come on based on various motion triggers but none of it works without the plug getting a signal. TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Can you put a switch somewhere else in the circuit? Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nehsmit Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 48 minutes ago, msgreenf said: Can you put a switch somewhere else in the circuit? Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk Problem is prior to this the circuit is in the walls to the circuit breaker. Makes it tough to put in prior to this. I even tried to put a small hole in the enclosure but wasnt enough for wifi reception. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Nehsmit said: Problem is prior to this the circuit is in the walls to the circuit breaker. Makes it tough to put in prior to this. I even tried to put a small hole in the enclosure but wasnt enough for wifi reception. is it on it's own circuit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C4 User Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Add a Plastic Outdoor Outlet box to the side of your SS enclosure and put the C4 switch in it. Darkimedes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nehsmit Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 Add a Plastic Outdoor Outlet box to the side of your SS enclosure and put the C4 switch in it.Are there just outdoor wifi plugs that would save me from installing the plastic outlet box?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C4 User Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, Nehsmit said: Are there just outdoor wifi plugs that would save me from installing the plastic outlet box? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I guess I am not sure what your setup is. My assumption is you have a line coming into the SS box and you are attempting to install a C4 switch in that box. If so, I think the best option for you is to mount a standard outdoor electrical box with door to the side of your SS box and install the C4 switch in it. I do not know of any compatible outdoor rated switches that would not need an enclosure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Lowe Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 1 hour ago, C4 User said: Add a Plastic Outdoor Outlet box to the side of your SS enclosure and put the C4 switch in it. This. You can do this easily with minimal wiring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveC4 Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 If it's on it's own circuit, just go right outside the panel and put a box with a switch in it there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nehsmit Posted August 27, 2019 Author Share Posted August 27, 2019 If it's on it's own circuit, just go right outside the panel and put a box with a switch in it there.Unfortunately not on its own circuit. This is a pic of it. If I put the plastic enclosure over outlet it makes it tough to get a wemo (or similar switch plugged into it as well as a plug. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkimedes Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 22 hours ago, Nehsmit said: Unfortunately not on its own circuit. This is a pic of it. If I put the plastic enclosure over outlet it makes it tough to get a wemo (or similar switch plugged into it as well as a plug. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Have an electrician put a two gang plastic weatherproof box over that single gang. Put a C4/Wemo/whatever your flavor dimmer or switch on one side and run that to the transformer. Place an outlet/GFCI on the other side of the two gang. Then have the electrician put a two gang "bubble' or "in-use" cover so you can plug in that other cord. Radio won't go through a metal box. Google Faraday Cage. Same reason a car has an external antenna for satellite and terrestrial radio signals. That's a Kichler transformer. Grab the part number and check the spec's to ensure compatibility if you decide to go for a dimmer. Otherwise, just switch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nehsmit Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 2 hours ago, BakerBalay said: Have an electrician put a two gang plastic weatherproof box over that single gang. Put a C4/Wemo/whatever your flavor dimmer or switch on one side and run that to the transformer. Place an outlet/GFCI on the other side of the two gang. Then have the electrician put a two gang "bubble' or "in-use" cover so you can plug in that other cord. Radio won't go through a metal box. Google Faraday Cage. Same reason a car has an external antenna for satellite and terrestrial radio signals. That's a Kichler transformer. Grab the part number and check the spec's to ensure compatibility if you decide to go for a dimmer. Otherwise, just switch it. Wow thank you so much. Appreciate your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 I have an exterior light looks that setup in my house. Go to Lowe's and buy the enclosureSent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nehsmit Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 I have an exterior light looks that setup in my house. Go to Lowe's and buy the enclosure Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk Installed but unfortunately the WEMO is vertical and won't fit into this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Get the square wemo energy plugSent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo1738 Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 Or get a Kasa KP200 https://www.amazon.com/Kasa-Smart-Outlet-Wall-TP-Link/dp/B07N3CK3MM/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o44j1G8OsmUnBFFuUdD3M6yu1bsdrEyumpgjxTjAyBclZbh16JsiihIaAjWBEALw_wcB&hvadid=349987209319&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9015123&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7367250535534659651&hvtargid=kwd-629401138304&hydadcr=24665_10401007&keywords=kasa+kp200&qid=1567124908&s=gateway&sr=8-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nehsmit Posted August 30, 2019 Author Share Posted August 30, 2019 Or get a Kasa KP200 https://www.amazon.com/Kasa-Smart-Outlet-Wall-TP-Link/dp/B07N3CK3MM/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o44j1G8OsmUnBFFuUdD3M6yu1bsdrEyumpgjxTjAyBclZbh16JsiihIaAjWBEALw_wcB&hvadid=349987209319&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9015123&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7367250535534659651&hvtargid=kwd-629401138304&hydadcr=24665_10401007&keywords=kasa+kp200&qid=1567124908&s=gateway&sr=8-1Very cool but can you control each outlet individually?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo1738 Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 I believe so yes. And there is a C4 driver I think from Chowmain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkimedes Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 18 hours ago, Nehsmit said: Very cool but can you control each outlet individually? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I have the Chowmain TP Link driver, works very well. Go to Home Depot and replace that cover, or buy spares of the HS200. Chances are they aren't "wet rated" for outdoor use, and the bubble cover will not only bring it up to code, but drastically increase the life of the HS200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo1738 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 On 8/30/2019 at 3:26 PM, BakerBalay said: I have the Chowmain TP Link driver, works very well. Go to Home Depot and replace that cover, or buy spares of the HS200. Chances are they aren't "wet rated" for outdoor use, and the bubble cover will not only bring it up to code, but drastically increase the life of the HS200. If you look at more recent pics he did update the enclosure already. Should be decently good to go. They do make an outdoor outlet but it's more like a dongle/splitter if he finds issues with KP200. https://www.amazon.com/Kasa-Smart-Outlet-Outdoor-TP-Link/dp/B07M6RS2LC/ref=asc_df_B07M6RS2LC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242124331408&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16626870617261490226&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015115&hvtargid=pla-697966505007&psc=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 6 hours ago, Neo1738 said: If you look at more recent pics he did update the enclosure already. Should be decently good to go. They do make an outdoor outlet but it's more like a dongle/splitter if he finds issues with KP200. https://www.amazon.com/Kasa-Smart-Outlet-Outdoor-TP-Link/dp/B07M6RS2LC/ref=asc_df_B07M6RS2LC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242124331408&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16626870617261490226&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015115&hvtargid=pla-697966505007&psc=1 The KP400 is IP64 rated so its definately designed for this kind of job. Darkimedes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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