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[kstokes606]

I am a member of a small church and we are trying to find a way to control fluorescent lights. We are looking to turn off two of the lights when we show films on the screen, and then turn them back on when done. At this time the lights are on two circuits, with ten in each circuit. One light at the end of each circuit are the ones that we want to control. What would be the best way to do this?
We are thinking of putting another switch in the wall behind the podium, and rewiring the lights, but that may cost a lot. Is there a module this we can put inside the light fixture itself to interrupt the power just to those lights?

[Brian H]

X10 Pro makes a in fixture module designed for no dimming loads like your lights. XPFM [fuzzy memory here on the part number].
First do you know if they are 120 volts power?
Also fluorescent lights may make power line noise and affect X10 signals. So more input from others that may have done will be a big help.

[steven r]

Welcome to the forum kstokes606!

X10 Pro makes a in fixture module designed for no dimming loads like your lights....
...fluorescent lights may make power line noise and affect X10 signals....

Good points.

While an XPFM inline fixture module would likely be cheaper than a major rewire job, if you had to install noise filters for several of your 20 lights it might not. I'll be looking to see if someone comes up with a creative idea but this just might be a case where wiring a switch is the most reliable solution.

Current price on eBay for inline filters is $5.99 + $8.00 shipping. For the sake of this example, let's say you got a combined shipping deal that brought the net price each to $10. That would be $100 if you only needed 10 of them and the real expense would be to have them installed. Ask an electrician which would cost more, wiring 10 filters or pulling the wire for 1 switch.

What I think might  work is a remote device normally sold to control an overhead fan. It is an inline switch that can be used to control both the fan and it's light. Check with your local Home Depot or Lowes and ask what they think. Cool benifit of it is that the light could be conveniently be controlled from a simple hand held remote.

What ever you decide, let us know particularly if it turns out to be a creative solution.