Do you find they operate

Do you find they operate reliably? I bought a similar-looking set maybe 5 years ago from Menards and they are very finicky... working one time fine, then not responding unless the remote is inches away, then fine from a distance again, even after new batteries.

I really like the concept. The delivery, not so much.

I have the exact same set in my workshop

to turn on/off several strings of LED overhead 48" 'shop lights'.  Except for a transmitter battery change a year ago, it has worked flawlessly for almost 4 years.  AC units range from 10-30 feet away from transmitter.

I have another set that controls LED string lights outdoors under a covered patio.  We have high humidity in the summer, but the AC units are not anywhere near direct water contact.  They too have worked very reliably.

As much as I have fun playing

As much as I have fun playing with the Google Home and other IoT stuff, these little transmitters can't be beat for reliability.  

The coin style battery in the transmitter lasts for years. Intermittent failure is a sure sign the battery needs to be changed.

gs

Milt

Hi Milt - I just got these installed, but no problems so far. I was impressed that they worked in our old basement, since there are 1’ thick brick walls between the transmitter and the outlets it’s controlling.

Good idea..but...

What about old fashioned power bars? One flick of a switch and i'm up and running. 

Power strips

Power strips are great if you have your DCC system near the layout entrance, along with a conveniently located outlet. That wasn’t the case for me. I was told that the DCC system should be located near the center of the layout, placing it about 25’ from the entrance. While I have it plugged into a power strip, that’s on the floor behind the layout skirt. I learned to turn it on and off with my foot, but still not the most convenient setup when the throttles are 25‘ away...and the dispatcher’s office fast clock another 25’ beyond that.

Probably not a solution for everyone, but it works really well for me, and I was hoping others here might benefit from it as well.

Mine have been working for years

I've got a power bar, and that's what I used first as the power switch, but it was a reach. 

As soon as I put one of my spare UPS's in place on the layout, I had to leave the power bar turned on and a new way of controlling power was required. 

I also had my father-in-law get a set as his boosters are "geographically" remote from the rest of his layout electronics. 

Frankly, I love them, and I'm glad they're working well for you Joe. 

Great minds...

Remote switches are a great idea.  I have three.  Hung the remote right by the entry door.  Much better than moving around the room to three different power strips under the layout.  

Randy

Jeff and Randy

Jeff and Randy, it's great to hear about your experiences.  I think my only gripe about the Etekcity product is the odd button arrangement on the remote, with the buttons for outlet #1 being oriented vertically, while those for 2 and 3 are positioned horizontally.  Seems to me that the design of Randy's remote is much more intuitive, but that's a very minor nit, and I'd definitely buy the Etekcity product again.

I don’t think the button

I don’t think the button arrangement is odd. Think about an elderly or infirm person feeling around a nightstand in the dark. Having a distinct arrangement that tells you the orientation, without needing to look, is very helpful.

gs

Remote power bar

Hi,

just as a different option... I have a power switch that was behind some furniture but needed a switch... I got a simple in-line power switch and installed it in the cable. Now I can have the switch in a convenient location while the power bar is behind the furniture.

A little more low-tech but surprisingly reliable

Have fun!

Who has this?

Ok, so which one of you has a Clapper on his layout?  

lol

Randy

Christmas Tree Too

Joe-  We've used a similar device for our Christmas tree lights for years, saves climbing behind the tree to plug/unplug them, or reaching back there for a power strip switch.  Great idea for layout power, especially if access is a pain.  

Craig

I know a guy

Who has his trains connected to Alexa.  So where ever he is in the house he can just say "Alexa Turn On The Trains". Or off as the case may be.  But you have to be willing to have the IOT in your space.

Let there be light!!! (and - of course - trains)

That three-circuit fob is perfect for my layout room. Two LED light bar circuits for direct layout lighting, and one to power up the layout itself. Brilliant!

Wireless outlet controllers

I'm glad others here see the value in these.  I know I've really enjoyed them.

George, even the Etekcity outlet devices are shocked - even horrified - at the button arrangement on the remote:

Sorry, that was dumb, but every time I see that photo, I can't help but see shocked faces looking on.

I think this is a great item...

I think it's a great item, so I bought a similar one that is heavier and higher rated. 

Thanks for bringing this to the forum!

Neal

Neal

I’m glad it helped Neal. Thanks for letting me know.

not so shocked, but....

"Sorry, that was dumb, but every time I see that photo, I can't help but see shocked faces looking on."

I didn't see shocked, but I was waiting for the song to start 

True

Good point George.  I could definitely see where you get the 3-part harmony vibe.

But it's those crazy eyes!  One larger than the other, looking slightly bewildered.