How to make your own Rheostat for less than $7! Detailed instructions.

[diamondlil]

you can't in the UK! Took weeks to find small electrical store selling Italian in-line rheostat, then 2 more weeks to get e-mail from company confirming that ph is italian symbol for live. Would have built my own if I'd seen this thread first

 

[shadraak]

3 gang box?

so if i was to use a receptical on the gang box with 2 dimmers, 1 for each plug, like left was for top and right was for bottom, you would need a 3 gang box correct? if so how would you wire that up? or is it possible? i notice the receptical has 2 screws that you didn't use was thinking if maybe these are for each diff. receptacle or should i just build a diff dimmer box for each set? in other words i'd like to control the heattape and overhead light independantly from eachother.

 

[Lore]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking the time to post these instructions. I made 4 of these today and they work GREAT!

I got some strange looks tho buying all this stuff at WalMart cause I had something to pick up for my 4 toddlers too, I got the 4 ext. cords, 4 boxes, 4 dimmer switches, 4 face plates, 4 pacifiers...

LOL! They probably were thinking WHAT the heck is this woman DOING?!?!? :grin01:

Anyhow, here is how they look in my current set-up.

 

[sfaoldguy]

ROFL... I know this was back in 05, but the commentary about taping up the cut obtained while making this "how to" cracked me up... Glad my kids hadn't gone to sleep yet or I would have woke them up... LOL

 

[jaxom1957]

1. I would say that this is JUST as safe as a regular Rheostat that you would buy at the store...if you'll look carefuly....THERE IS NO GROUND. In fact...I would probably say its safer(Read point number 2)

You can ground this by buying a three-prong extension cord rather than a two-prong. The green wire attaches to the ground wire of the cord, grounding the switch.

One other note: You can also sever the connection between the upper and lower sockets, controlling one with the dimmer switch and allowing the other to remain constant live, perhaps for a light. I can diagram that if anyone needs it.

 

[jaxom1957]

You can certainly separate the two outlets on the receptacle, but you're going to be hard pressed to find room in the 2-gang box for another dimmer

If you look around your neighborhood hardware store, there is a dual-switch replacement that only takes up one space. It uses the same cover as an outlet, but has switches that operate side-to-side rather than up and down in each of the outlet spaces. You use a standard two outlet cover plate rather than a switch-and-outlet plate. They're commonly used in bathrooms that have had an exhaust fan retrofitted, so are easy to find.

 

[pgr8dnlvr]

Just thought it might be time to bump this ever valuable thread...

Rebecca

 

[Kizerk]

i have a quick question i bought all the things i needed

and i proceeded to cut the extension cord, and i realized that i don't have that cutting tool, so are those wire cutters? can i use scissors or no

 

[jaxom1957]

...i proceeded to cut the extension cord, and i realized that i don't have that cutting tool, so are those wire cutters? can i use scissors or no

You can use scissors. With either scissors, wire cutters, or even a pocket knife, you need to be careful that you do not nick the copper wire itself when you are removing the sheathing. Cut ALMOST to the wire, and then twist the sheathing to finish separating it. Nicking the wire causes it to break more easily at that point and may make your device fail.

 

[Rocky Raccoon]

Wish I had saw this thread before I spent 20 bucks on this damn Zoomed rheostat that cant keep anything constant.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

the only thing that the rehostat will keep constant is the flow of energy to a heatmat, but the temp will fluctuate the same as a room temp will.

 

[jazzgeek]

the only thing that the rehostat will keep constant is the flow of energy to a heatmat, but the temp will fluctuate the same as a room temp will.

Ya, thus "rheostat", Chris, and not "thermostat".

regards,
jazz

 

[Bustacapp]

Bump great thread even though it's a few years old that just tells me the people who have done this either burned there house down and dont have a computer to warn everyone or the ones the have made are working great with no problems

 

[JoannaD]

They work great, even the ones my 8 anf 10 year olds made for me!

Joanna

 

[howhigh402]

wow thanks you saved me lots of money doing it this way...just one question once you get it on the right setting how do u keep it from being hit and getting changed?

 

[Flagg]

On mine I put a little mark on the knob with a permanent marker and just remember at what position it should be normally. This of course flluctuates with the room temperature, which is why a thermostat is much better.

 

[howhigh402]

For anyone that is electronically disabled i found a dimmer switch at target that has an allready intergreated outlet on it..it is a little more then 7 dollars but it works

 

[Cegninedorf]

I just had to respond/bump this thread for anyone who hasn't seen it before -- because I love it just that much...I just made 4 more of these (the dual-outlet version) -- now coming to a grand total of 8 & I have saved so much money and frustration of dealing with overheating UTHs by making these. Yeah for homemade rheostats! :cheers:

 

[DdotSpot]

I'm glad this was helpful. Boy I sure need to get back on here! I miss all of you and please don't burn your house down building one of these! Remember to use lots of electrical tape to tape all connections and terminals.

 

[DdotSpot]

If you look around your neighborhood hardware store, there is a dual-switch replacement that only takes up one space. It uses the same cover as an outlet, but has switches that operate side-to-side rather than up and down in each of the outlet spaces. You use a standard two outlet cover plate rather than a switch-and-outlet plate. They're commonly used in bathrooms that have had an exhaust fan retrofitted, so are easy to find.

Yessir, they make 2 and 3 switch combinations for a heat/vent/light or other example. But Its not that easy to find a dimmer combination. You CAN find them (like for a fan/light or light/light) but you are going to pay upwards of $35 each for them around here. Not really worth it in my opinion.