Introduction: Turn Off Your Light Switch From Bed With Pulleys.
Yep, pulley and string simple as that.
You will need:
4 pulleys (can be done with 3-5)
string or fishing line(enough to wrap up the wall, across the ceiling, and down the other wall)
Drill & Screws
Tape
Here is a video of it in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PJW3t2bJpE
If anyone has ideas that would improve my idea please let me know. I would like a cheaper, lighter, smaller pulley that can directly connect to the wall.
Step 1: Find Where You Wish to Control Your Switch and Screw
Bed, couch, bathroom, special little place in the corner of your room.. etc
I put in next to my bed.
Screw 2 pulleys into the upper wall or ceiling so that the cord will hang where you can reach it.
Screw another pulley(s) above the light switch in the room.
Screw a pulley under the light switch. (you may be able to just slide it under the light plate or take off the plate and use the screw of the plate to hold the pulley)
Step 2: Thred From the Bed to the Switch.
Thread the cord from the one bed side pulley to the one above the light switch and down. Tie it to the tube covered switch.
Thread the other pulley but go through the pulley below the switch and back up to the switch. Tie.
Step 3: Add Ballast.
Add weight to keep the cord on the track.
I used an action figure and a tech deck.
Show me yours!
26 Comments
8 years ago on Step 2
confusing instructions!!!! I want to build this with makeshift pulleys with tacks which I've seen it done before.
8 years ago
i made this 20 years ago at a sleepover when i was a kid
10 years ago on Introduction
Much better than a remote switch !!…
Has a Buster Keaton flair to it that I simply love !!!
10 years ago on Introduction
Omg seriously you are my hero! I dreamt up this exact idea in my teen years but never actually built it. Maybe my wife will let me put it on our room...
13 years ago on Introduction
that reminds me of Mr Bean turning off his light with a gun...
guys.. wireless remote control was invented in 1956!!!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Behold the man who is a bean!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Awesome!!
12 years ago on Introduction
I am happy to see that Rube Goldberg is alive and well in us all.
14 years ago on Step 3
a better solution might be to add another pulley at the end, and make it so that the two ends run through the pulley as one piece (by tying the ends together where the know won't get in the way)
Reply 13 years ago on Step 3
you can use some spray paint to mark "on"/"off". or even use beads in the string before closing the loop
13 years ago on Introduction
I did this MANY years ago when I was a kid, although I had a 4-post bed that I simply wrapped a long piece of yarn around the top indent of the post and around the dimmer (head of the bed was on the same wall). It was convenient, and my parents called me lazy :)
13 years ago on Introduction
Nice. But a better option would be a remote controlled switch. Best home purchase I've made. A Lutron remote controlled programmable dimmer lightswitch. $40 from Lowes.
14 years ago on Introduction
or you could just buy a clapper
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
only works for lamps
14 years ago on Introduction
Haha, I remember trying to do this as a kid in my room, although it would only turn the light off once it was on.
14 years ago on Introduction
I honestly think that this is too complicated. but good 'ible!
14 years ago on Introduction
I sketch this out as kid but never tried it. Love it!
14 years ago on Introduction
i tried to make a turn on lights automatically'ible, and i failed miserably. type in "simply simple" to view my horrible interwebs failure. also i have a ninja hood that should be next to it
14 years ago on Introduction
Could have used this idea when I lived in the dorms. Very nice!
14 years ago on Introduction
I did this sort of thing when I was younger, only I put a pop-can tab on the light switch, and I also stuck paper clips in the walls and ceiling.