Remote - Smart Outlets

[Mooney65E]

http://postscapes.com/smart-outlets

Has anyone here ever tried one of these new "smart outlets" ? They allow you to control any electrical device remotely with use of smart phone app. I'm thinking it would be a great way to preheat. I know someone here on MS sells a cell phone switch and my intent is not to cut his cord, but to introduce fellow Mooney Spacers to new technology. These units are very affordable in the $50 range. I'm going to order the one from belkin (no affiliation) ,give it a try and follow up with a pirep.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Interested. Let us know how it works.

[timpercarpio]

Would you need wifi in your hangar to use one of those smart outlets? If not, then they look like great products.

[Hank]

Would you need wifi in your hangar to use one of those smart Che? If not, then they look like great products.

Looks like the outlet requires wifi. The cell switch only needs cell coverage. I have the latter, from Phillip here--no complaints, a cheap! easy way to turn engine heat on and off. It seems to work in many other applications also.

[timpercarpio]

I also have the the SwitchBox and it works great. We always have a nice warm engine in the winter.

[rbridges]

I have some wemo light switches that I control with my phone but they require a wifi signal.

[KyleKJ90]

Very interested in the cell switch much like this one from sporty's.

 

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/review/product/list/id/4822/

 

Just wondering if anybody has had issues getting a decent signal inside their hangar. I know that our metal t-hangar doesn't get the best 3G or 4G LTE signal with my smartphone but I can recall someone saying they used a special extension cord so they could mount the antenna outside/on top of their hangar. Has anyone else heard of this or tried it with great success? Also, I'm curious if T-Mobile is the best/cheapest route to go for service. Any help/input would be greatly appreciated!

[Hank]

I use the the cell switch sold here by phillipny. Had it in two hangars (metal box hangar and a T-hangar) with no issues. Service runs $10 for three months, hard to beat. Not having to drive to the hangar in the winter to plug in the heater was priceless; not having to dig the car out and go back the next day to unplug when the forecast was wrong was even better! :-)

Here's a link, don't know if the discount is still going on or not:

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/14524-fs-50-discount-code-for-mooneyspace-switchbox-remote-control/

At least two others at my home base in WV bought them after seeing how well mine worked.

[PTK]

http://postscapes.com/smart-outlets

Has anyone here ever tried one of these new "smart outlets" ? They allow you to control any electrical device remotely with use of smart phone app. I'm thinking it would be a great way to preheat. I know someone here on MS sells a cell phone switch and my intent is not to cut his cord, but to introduce fellow Mooney Spacers to new technology. These units are very affordable in the $50 range. I'm going to order the one from belkin (no affiliation) ,give it a try and follow up with a pirep.

I went a different route. I wired my own and saved a bundle!

[Piloto]

I would not turn on a portable heater unless I was present. A rag blocking the inlet or a fuel/oil leak can start a fire.

José

[Hank]

I would not turn on a portable heater unless I was present. A rag blocking the inlet or a fuel/oil leak can start a fire.José

Agreed! I just turn on power to the oil sump-mounted engine preheat. Before the cell switch, I would plug it in the night before. WV gets cold in the winter . . .