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Topic:
Which receiver wall switch works a ceiling fan?
This thread has 15 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Monday July 12, 1999 at 18:23
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
I have two wall switches, one turns the light on/off on the ceiling fan and the other has a rotating knob that turns the fan on/off and adjust its variable speed. Is there an X-10 compatable switch I can use to operate my fan only? I prefer a rotating knob over the rocker switches, It allows me to see what speed its on at a glance.
OP | Post 2 made on Monday July 12, 1999 at 18:40
Robert (RCI Automation)
Historic Forum Post
Daryl:

The good news is that there are X-10 switches designed to operate your ceiling fan with variable speed. It's called an inductive dimmer switch and will respond to 16 dim/bright steps that will control fan speed. The bad news is that they are a Decora styled switch. There aren't any with a rotating knob to the best of my knowledge.

Robert
RCI Automation
rciautomation@csi.com
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]


If you
OP | Post 3 made on Monday July 12, 1999 at 23:46
Jim Fouch
Historic Forum Post
I use a SmartLinc switch to control a fan, but as Robert mentioned, it is Decora style.

It will, however, allow you to see the speed by a led that is on the side - the higher the led the more current.

Cheers, Jim.
OP | Post 4 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 11:36
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
Thanks Robert and Jim. I figured a rotary knob would not be an option. Any model suggestions? I'm hoping for something under $60 with noise reduction. It's not 3-way controlled so thats not necessary. I found 1 by Homepro for $40 but it only has a power led light, not a led adjustment reading. :(
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 11:58
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
OK, I found the Smartlinc 2-way switch with the 8 led lights model #1181 for $58.39 + handling. Thanks again everyone. If any of you know of a better price please tell. I'm not cheap, I just earn very very VERY little. :)
OP | Post 6 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 12:21
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
Jim Fouch, You say you use Smartlinc switch to work your fan. I read that the switch "may hum". Have you ever heard yours hum? If so what song does it hum? :)) Seriously though do you ever hear a hum from it?
OP | Post 7 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 13:04
Warren Ceppos
Historic Forum Post
Daryl, the smartlinc switches that you mentioned (#1181), is that called switchlinc? If so, please let me know where to get them for &58.39 + handling.
OP | Post 8 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 13:19
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
Warren Ceppos,
Yes its the Switchlinc by Smatlinc, I found it here at bottom of page. It says call for price but if you do a search for 1181 or switchlinc you'll get 4 results, choose the bottom result link and it will care you to the page with the price listed.

http://www.worthdist.com
OP | Post 9 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 13:41
Larry Boyers
Historic Forum Post
I've heard that there have been some problems with the SmartLinc switch. A better alternative, with similar advanced features, is the PCS SceneMaster Switch. Doesn't look like it would be appropriate for a fan motor but it might be a better option for incandescent loads. Just got a price quote of $63 yesterday from Jim Wilson at Mountain Vista Supply, rwagner@eudoramail.com

A cheaper option for controlling the fan is the Leviton Inductive Dimmer switch. Even cheaper is the HomePro version.

The hum problem will exist regardless of the switch you choose. They all control the voltage in the same manner which is what produces the buzz in all but the most tightly wound motors.

Regards,

--LB
OP | Post 10 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 18:04
Robert (RCI Automation)
Historic Forum Post
Something to consider about SwitchLinc switches. They are very new to the market (last few months) and there are a few problems beginning to surface that are being reported by users. The manufacturer has not produced a switch before, unlike Leviton and PCS who have been producing switches for quite some time.

This doesn't mean that the SwitchLinc switches are bad. It just means that they are really untested on a large scale like the other two brands.

The SwitchLinc's have only one real advantage over the other two brands, and that is the ability to send an X-10 signal upon local activation. This would be useful to determine light status in a home automation system (with a home automation controller).

Some of the problems being reported by users are excessive hum, a proprietary protocol used for extended X-10 commands, and others.

I would like to see some of these issues resolved before I recommend the purchase of a SmartLinc switch, unless you really need to have the feature of sending an X-10 command on local operation.

Robert
RCI Automation
rciautomation@csi.com
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]
OP | Post 11 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 18:09
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
Thanks Larry.
The Homepro was the first one I mentioned finding above, it and the Leviton would be fine if they just had the LED bright/dim meter but they only have the power indicator on them. It wont be operating any lights just the fan. And I kinda need the meter to know the fan speed setting, not a nicessity but a real convienence. I'll figure something out. :)
OP | Post 12 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 18:40
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
Robert,
Yes the switch needs to be operable at the switch itself and by remote. Others operate the fan speed for me when I'm not in a position to operate it with my remote.Do you have a suggestion for a switch that can operate a fan, be operatered manually, by remote, and has a speed LED meter for me to know what speed its set at with a glance? Can Levitons SureSlide Decora style dimmers be operated by X-10 signals?
OP | Post 13 made on Tuesday July 13, 1999 at 19:26
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
If I must I can do without the LED speed adjustment meter. :)
OP | Post 14 made on Wednesday July 14, 1999 at 19:33
Daryl
Historic Forum Post
OK, I found a Leviton and PCS switchi. Leviton Dimmer(model #6381-U) for $27.39 + rocker n frame kit $3.89 + handling, that says it will speedup/slowdown fan speed. PCS Smartswitch dimmer(model #SS1LS600 for $58.39 + handling. But the PCS does operate low voltage motors but doesnt say wether or not it will operate the speed of the fan. Anyone know if it will? Still wish it had a speed meter. :))
OP | Post 15 made on Thursday July 22, 1999 at 23:51
Jim Fouch
Historic Forum Post
Hi Daryl!

Bad news on the Switchlinc - it does hum - sounds like Little Deuce Coupe in E flat to me -
I never noticed the hum because I use it to control a noisy NuTone bathroom fan, but if I put my ear next to it, I can hear a hum - whether this would bother one in a quieter environment is pretty subjective.

Folks complain about LCD screens humming, but I have to listen closely to hear them - part of this may be due to the fact that I spent a lot of years around noisy race cars and part may be due to my age - I was 65 three days ago.

As an aside, females around 18 have the best ability to hear high pitched sound and that ability falls off for both genders rather fast from what I have read by the age of 30.

Now, worse news, the switch won't operate the fan below about 50% power which I think would make it not useful for your needs - I use it because I don't like switches that don't have true rocker action nor do I like the ones with relays that click and it is also easier for guests if they all operate the same way.

If you have another spot in your house where you could move your existing fan and get a new one with a RF remote, that would probably be your best bet; otherwise, I don't know what to suggest.

I bought one recently with a three speed RF remote from a chain in Southern California called Lamps Plus for $130 and I expect that Home Depot carries such a device.

Cheers, Jim.
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