Chris H Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 I am in the process of finishing a new shop that is about 500' from the house. I also have a young family. As a result, my wife is concerned about her ability to get my attention when I am needed back at the house. I don't think wiring anything that distance is a realistic option, nor will most wireless intercom systems I have seen. I've already proven that I can completely ignore my cell phone buzzing like crazy in my pocket (if I remember to put it in my pocket). Does anyone have any creative solutions? I am thinking something visual, since I am typically wearing hearing protection. It would also need to be visually obnoxious to get my attention. When I am in the zone, I tend to block out the world. She recommended the dogs e-collar, but thankfully that doesn't have the range! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byegge Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 It would require burying wire but you could have your shop lights switchable at both ends. She could flicker the lights when you were needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Or she could just shoot roman candles at your shop from the back door of the house. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 I would recommend a magnetic switch. You get 12v coils that close switches for you. You can wire lights or bells or whatever you want and only need 12v to run between structures. As a low voltage feed, the restrictions are less. Just a thought. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coop Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Walkie talkie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tpt life Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Just now, C Shaffer said: Exactly what I was thinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Timmy fell in the well ? Again ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 One fellow I knew, had a set of three red light bulbs that blinked when either the phone rang or his wife needed his attention! He passed and his shop was sold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 "Lassie, go get Chris again, he is in his shop" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Laser pointer into a prism? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mat60 Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Tell hur...500ft isnt that far of a walk and the exercise would be good for you hun.. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H Posted August 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Well, I knew you guys would have fun with it! Unfortunately all wired option are out. Too far and crosses main electric grid and mound system to get there. I think our Lassie dreams are dead. We hoped for smart and resourceful and instead we got dumb and lazy (they do take after their owners) Walkies would have the same shortfall of a cell phone, I think. Are there walkies out there with strong visual indicators? Roman candles would certainly allow me to artificially inflate the fireworks budget under the radar, but my insurance guy is my neighbor...feels like he may frown upon that one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brendon_t Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 When your in the shop, make sure your phone ringer is on and plug it into a speaker with the audio jack. It'll make it plenty loud 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H Posted August 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Tell hur...500ft isnt that far of a walk and the exercise would be good for you hun.. Well, that would have the unintended benefit of her taking a new found interest in my firearms. The goal is to keep the peace, not give her half my stuff...half my tools! (Blasphemy) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tpt life Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Yeah, I'd wire it. I know you don't want to, but 12v can just lay on the ground. Underground cable at that voltage can be two inches deep and never cause an issue. Everything else in your yard should be much deeper. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Beechwood Chip Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Assuming that your shop will be powered off of a sub-panel from your house, I'd use Insteon controllers. Your wife could have a wireless remote or a wall switch which controlled a light, bell, buzzer or all of the above. The signal travels over electrical wires, so no additional wiring is necessary and the range won't be a problem. The remote would talk to a wireless receiver in the house (short range). Of course, that assumes that you actually want to solve the problem 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 1 hour ago, K Cooper said: Well played Coop. Extra points for involving twine! What are you "needed" for again? Aren't those rare instances? On the other hand: Do you have something in the house by which you can contact your wife from the shop if she is needed out there? The reason I ask is...the other day I was looking for a band-aid and my wife slyly asked; "Shouldn't you have a readily available tourniquet in the shop?" My wife is very sly, in the roguish sense of the word. I gave her my best "look of contempt" but she kinda has a point... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Llama Posted August 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 She can't scream that far? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Can she hear you scream from the house? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H Posted August 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 She can't scream that far? Don't want to find out. You might hear her! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Well played Coop. Extra points for involving twine! What are you "needed" for again? Aren't those rare instances? On the other hand: Do you have something in the house by which you can contact your wife from the shop if she is needed out there? The reason I ask is...the other day I was looking for a band-aid and my wife slyly asked; "Shouldn't you have a readily available tourniquet in the shop?" My wife is very sly, in the roguish sense of the word. I gave her my best "look of contempt" but she kinda has a point... One more reason to own and wear a belt. It goes were you go, and keeping your pants up is a pretty low priority when bleeding out. But the simple answer is yes, I keep my cell phone with me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 My wife just texts me. Seems simple enough. I think 1) you need to get better about checking your phone and 2) your wife needs to learn you are not always immediately available I tend not to go into the shop unless I know I have at least a free hour. My kids are 11, 9 and 3. But my wife doesn't bother me unless something is super urgent, like maybe a broken bone. We are both pretty independent. I guess traveling for work all the time does that. We sometimes go days without talking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 We have a wireless driveway alarm at entrance to our property that reaches to the house which is around 1200 ft. It was around $150. You could put the sensor at the house and the alarm in your shop. Here is another option http://www.1800doorbell.com/dc-1000-long-range-wireless-doorbell-with-1000-feet-range.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logos Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 I have a iPhone speaker dock. I usually have music or a podcast on but when the phone rings it interrupts and is quite loud! Just need to remember to dock the phone and turn the ringer on. It's challenging to get interrupted in the middle of a glue up or tricky cut but I try to check in within20 min even if it's just a text that I'll come in soon. Pretending I didn't hear the phone has not worked out for me;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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