Ceiling fan conversion to remote

[shanti]

So I have an existing ceiling fan that has run out of steam. It's at least 20 years old and is operated by a wall switch, with push buttons - one for the fan and one for the light. I bought a new fan with a remote and light kit. Included in the package was a warning not to install the fan with a wall mounted light dimmer or solid-state speed control. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I THINK it means I won't be using the wall for the operation of the fan.

I've put in two ceiling fans before, so I basically know what to do, but they were just regular ones that operated by a wall switch, not a remote. My question is: do I need to cap off the wires in the wall switch and put a blank cover on it since I'll just be using the remote, or what?

TIA

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. Interesting question.

Your wall switch is an interrupter ,when the switch is off the power supply ends on one side of switch . When on power is sent to the unit-light, fan whatever it is. You could simply add a toggle switch ,leave it off when doing your installation than leave the toggle switch on all the time and your remote controls the unit. That or connect up your line and and load wires using a wire nut to secure the tie in . That sends the power direct to the ceiling junction box where your replacement fan will go.

Unless of course power is at the ceiling junction box and from there down to your switch box. If thats the case , you disconnect the power feed at the junction box in the ceiling routed down to the switch box . Than you cap off those wires and replace the face plate
with a blank.

To your question about what your not sure of solid state speed control or dimmer-,you have a basic switch in place,one side of it supplies the light the other the fan.

Since you have installed a ceiling fan already some odd years ago you should already know or think to remember how it is the wiring is at the switch and in the ceiling junction box.

Simply read the installation instructions and look over diagram relating to the wiring if you are uncertain.

Let me give you an example, ceiling fans ,the big ones for your living spaces come with remote control units. You get a remote control hand held sender and the other part that is wired direct to the power source which is as a rule fed through a wall switch.
The wiring for the fan and the light connect up to the unit which is installed at the ceiling junction box .In simple-there are 3 wires to connect up to the power in the box-black-white and ground, unless of course it is 12 /3 wiring.On the other end of the unit is the wiring that connects up to fan and the light ,same deal as your switch on the wall that has separate switches one for fan the other for light. After installation where it is the ceiling fan/light replaces an over head light ,most people simply leave the wall switch on all the time because the remote controls the unit. Not much different really than the principal behind the old draw string lights in the old homes. In that type of wiring situation power is in the ceiling junction box and there is no wall switch. This old house and all that.

One good safety thing about the basic toggle switch in place is if that fan is a defect and starts acting up ,you can cut off the power supply quick at the switch !

Ok so thats about a basic toggle switch .OK so, if you understand the wiring at your switch box and in your ceiling junction box ,it should be an easy replacement. You don't have a dimmer switch on the wall and you don't have a solid state speed control switch on the wall. You therefore shouldn't be thrown off by the manufacturer warning about that.

Good luck with you project.

[shanti]

2. wow

that's a lot of information! way too complicated for me though. although the package said "easy to install" (ha!), i decided to go ahead and hire an electrician to install it. he said he'd replace the wall switch if necessary too. $95 works for me.

thanks for the info though! it might help someone else