Fan control (wall module is RF)

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

Alas… I finally purchased the Leviton Fan controller, and was going to hook it up with my Emerson fan. Go to pull the wall box apart, and what do I find, but a RF fan/light controller. No wires to fan at all. Guess I should have researched that before I bought the parts :o

So now i’m trying to figure out my next solution. Is there something I can wire between the fan and the RF receiver that will give me zwave control for both fan (with 3 speeds) and light?

I figure I could do an Aeotec for light control, but can I use something similar to control fan on/off/speed?

I, of course, am looking for an easy answer that does not involve soldering :slight_smile:

2

Are there any wires available? The only way I have done this is to bypass the RF receiver and wire the fan directly to the Leviton fan controller, and the light directly to a z-wave switch. If all you have is power at the fan (not linked to the wall box) and power at the wall box, then I am stumped. That means the existing fan install really isn’t up to code (in most locations anyway - the fan has to be controlled by a wall switch)…

3

You may be right… and I need to look more. attached the page in owners manual… does look like it wants wire to a wall switch, but that doesn’t really make sense to me if you aren’t going to use the wall switch. what am I missing?

4

I think it is a safety requirement that a ceiling fan has to be controlled by a nearby wall switch so it can be easily turned off in an emergency.

From the diagram you posted you should be able to bypass the RF receiver completely if you have wires available between the fan location and the wall switch.

5
[url=http://sadtrombone.com/?play=true]Go to pull the wall box apart, and what do I find, but a RF fan/light controller. No wires to fan at all.[/url]
I hate it when this happens.

Hopefully, this Arduino RF fan controller thread will benefit you.

6

So I have an Emerson fan that is wired to a switch… switch pretty much useless because of the fact that the RF remote has all of the functionality. Saw a couple of threads like:

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,24708.msg172624.html#msg172624

that pointed me to codes that people have figured out: http://lirc.sourceforge.net/remotes/hampton_bay/UC7078T

Just wondering what I would need in terms of equipment to be able to wire into my system for vera control of the different fan settings.

7

There are three approaches that jump to mind. The first is to determine what frequency the fan operates at. Then with an appropriate transmitter connected to a control device, like an Arduino, transmit the appropriate code.

If you’re not sufficiently expert at determining and then retransmitting the necessary frequency and codes, you could try the second approach. Again using an Arduino, this time with a multi-relay board, you could wire the relays to the button pads on a remote for the fan. You could then have Vera instruct the Arduino which relay to activate (which remote button to press) and control the fan that way.

But, note that RF and IR fan controls do not offer two way communication. There is not notification of the fan’s current state. So, Vera will never know what the fan is doing. Vera can tell the fan to do something, but cannot know if the fan was already doing something or if it is now doing what Vera told it to do.

The third approach would be to use the Insteon FanLinc controller with a Insteon PowerLink Modem connected to Vera as a replacement for your fan’s existing controller. Assuming that this is possible with Emerson fans.

The FanLinc can be polled to determine the fan’s status. So, Vera would be aware of setting changes to the fan from external sources like wall pads or hand held remotes. This is something the Arduino options, described earlier, cannot offer.

8

I apologize for “hijacking” this thread - but I have a very similar situation that I am trying to solve, except I have a CraftMade remote control ceiling fan (and light).

@Z-Waver, I wanted to try wiring my dry contact to my remote control, but after I cracked open my control I then realized the button contact on the PCB inside is very precise and as a hobbyist like myself, and with a standard soldering gun, there is no way I can solder 2 wires on that board to similar a button click.

Any suggestion for me here? I tried to google for professional to help me solder, but I couldn’t find anything.

Thanks.

9

@jeff3lo - I don’t see how I can help you solder via the forum. Finding someone to do it for you is a good plan. There use to be television repair places, but many/most of those are dead. Look for “Maker” events/places in your area for people who are likely capable. Also, the HAM radio community will likely produce a skilled solderer.

Also, be aware that you may be able to solder your wire to somewhere else on the circuit trace, besides the actual button pad.

Good luck.