I have three of these ceiling fans on my back patio. Currently I have them controlled with the supplied remote but that is not suitable because I cannot control them independently. They can also be controlled with three separate remotes by flipping dip switches but then you have three separate remotes (in addition to the Harmony 900 for the TV). They run off RF according to the manufacturer, which allows for dimming and three fan speeds in addition to on/off. Are there modules I can procure to control them via my Vera Plus controller? I don’t care if it is Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth or WiFi so long as it works!!
No. These fans are remote controlled and supplied always hot from the power source. Fan and light controls are only done by the remote, but maybe I can re-wire them and bypass the internal controller with a z-wave device in each of the three junction boxes feeding each of them??
Maybe I need to crack one open and see what’s controlling it. I could maybe use motor controllers for the fan but what about the dimmer function? I haven’t looked yet but I think these have their own SoC which I’d have to replicate to control fan speed and the lights in three separate scenes…
I’ve had great luck using Insteon and these FanLincs [url=http://www.smarthome.com/fanlinc-insteon-2475f-ceiling-fan-and-light-controller-fixture-module-dual-band.html] http://www.smarthome.com/fanlinc-insteon-2475f-ceiling-fan-and-light-controller-fixture-module-dual-band.html[/url], unfortunately the only way i’ve been able to get them to work reliably is with an ISY-994i as the Vera Insteon implementation is sad at best and Altsteon doesn’t work with UI7 that I know of but that adds about $250 to the project before any FanLincs or other modules so it’s a lot to consider.
In all of mine, I have either 1) been able to remove the circuit board that works with the remote entirely and wire to separate z-wave fan and light switches, or 2) at least I could bypass for the light by removing the lights wiring from the circuit board and connecting to a z-wave light switch. In the latter for the fan I just put it into high speed, pulled the batteries out of the remote and then wired to a z-wave fan switch (which is the same thing you do for a pull-chain controlled fan)… Obviously that meant in all cases I had a enough wiring from each fan to a box for both switches.
If this is hot wired I want to say (just before someone else does) that that probably violates local electrical code - most places require a wall switch for emergency disabling of the fan.
Theoretically with the existing hot wiring you could use something like an AEON micro-contoller for the lights and put it up in the attic, but I am pretty sure there are no z-wave micro-contollers for fans - only wall switches.
I have not used fanlinc, so will let others comment on that approach.
In all of mine, I have either 1) been able to remove the circuit board that works with the remote entirely and wire to separate z-wave fan and light switches, or 2) at least I could bypass for the light by removing the lights wiring from the circuit board and connecting to a z-wave light switch. In the latter for the fan I just put it into high speed, pulled the batteries out of the remote and then wired to a z-wave fan switch (which is the same thing you do for a pull-chain controlled fan)… Obviously that meant in all cases I had a enough wiring from each fan to a box for both switches.
If this is hot wired I want to say (just before someone else does) that that probably violates local electrical code - most places require a wall switch for emergency disabling of the fan.
Theoretically with the existing hot wiring you could use something like an AEON micro-contoller for the lights and put it up in the attic, but I am pretty sure there are no z-wave micro-contollers for fans - only wall switches.
I have not used fanlinc, so will let others comment on that approach.[/quote]
I will review and respond to the rest of your suggestions separately but want to say that a switch is not required but a disconnect is. The breaker serves as a disconnect for the entire branch circuit to cut the power to the fan when it is necessary to service the electrical components. I normally work hot but will probably kill the breaker in this instance because I don’t want to damage the electronics inside whatever device I install in the fan to control it. As far as emergency switch controlled lighting goes, I have that covered with a separate luminaire at the rear slider which is controlled by the switch inside the house at that location.
EDITS:
What do you mean by “enough wire”?
I’m sorry but I didn’t give enough information earlier but there is no attic. These are wired to the bottom of the patio joists and wired using EMC tubing and metallic boxes.
While there may not be ones specifically for fans isn’t there controllers for variable speed motors? Wouldn’t that do the same thing?
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