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Cell Switch
- Thread starter swordtail
- Start date
Switcheon
Switcheon absolutely! I used Switchbox for a while and it was nothing but trouble. Always freezing up and had to constantly send e-mails for support to get the company to reset it remotely. The company does not release a phone number. I finally gave up and went with Switcheon and it has worked flawlessly from day one.
Definitely Switcheon! Used for 3 or more years and works perfectly. I am inside a metal hangar and the standard antenna works just fine for me.
Keith
My switcheon works fine however in both hangars I have been in, cell reception is non-existent with the door closed, so I have had to buy an external antenna and then find a safe place to mount it outside and a way to run the wire.
My Switcheon (5 years) runs my Rieff pre-heater (about 600 watts/5 amps) as well as a Hornet cockpit heater (700 watts/5.8 amps). My hangar only has 15 amps available. I'm very satisfied with it, but have had a couple of issues of note:
- I once absent-mindedly plugged my electric snow blower into it, promptly blew it up. I sent it back to them, they fixed it and returned it within a few days. No charge. They don't charge for repairs, even if you do something stupid.
- My hangar is in a bit of a cell coverage hole. Put the antenna inside the Faraday cage of a metal hangar and I have as much as much as -122 db signal loss. Nice thing about Switcheon is that it will keep trying until it activates the switch (characteristic of low-bandwidth IoT). I've never had it fail to eventually respond to a command. Despite my auxilliary cell phone antenna, I was having some connection issues when summer foliage became robust. When I emailed them, they promptly returned pages of information on my connection along with several revant suggestions as to how to improve it. Even specific brand and model of antennas that they've seen to be effective in marginal cellphone coverage. It was impressive customer service.
I bought a cell phone switch on the internet and buy a prepaid cell phone card every Winter for 4 months at about $10/month. No subscription required.
I have a Switchbox and there are no subscription fees. Just recharge the account periodically. Works great in my metal hangar and has never failed me over 3 years. And I’m the second owner. I have no experience with Switcheon.
Yesterdays-3's
Member
Which cell switch did you get? I have been looking at this as well. I was also looking at a cellular activated switch to a Delay-Off timer relay set at a set hour interval (4-6 maybe?) as a back up in case the switch does not activate it "off".
Also considering a cellular hot spot and wifi switch.
This is what I bought. It has worked well for 6+ years. I do not have access to wifi in my hangar, so this has been my easiest option.
GSM-CTL-AC Remote control switch (relay control switch)
Wafer manufactures GSM Controller,gsm alarm ,gsm remote control box, gsm switch ,gsm intercom for automatic door and electric gate opener and also manufactures automatic door microwave motion sensor for automatic door system
waferlife.com
Does anyone have experience with their thermostat? It’s sold out but I like the original switch well enough that I may wait to order.
4G/LTE AC/DC Smart Thermostat - SwitcheOn
switcheon.com
I did that. Needed to blow snow from in front of my hangar. Just un-plugged the airplane from my long extension. cord and stupidly plugged snowblower in. Switcheon died in a very un-spectacular manner. They fixed it for free (repairs are always free, I was told), turnaround was about a week.
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