DC CEILING FAN/dip-switches/dimmer switch
#1
05-19-22, 07:13 PM
DC CEILING FAN/dip-switches/dimmer switch
I am a 70-year-old disabled woman who knows NOTHING about electrical issues. I can read directions though. I bought the Fanimation 72" DC Slinger v2 ceiling fan about a year ago. I hired someone to install it. It is so frustrating to try to use, unless it is extremely hot, I do not bother. I read the directions, as I am always sure it is something I am doing wrong. It says to "tap" either the fan or light on the remote to start or stop each function. I usually can get the light to turn on or off within a few "taps". I can get the fan to turn on easier than turn off. I can press over 30 times and I cannot get the fan to turn off.
I got the fan to reverse direction just like the directions say. It also has a 1, 3 or 6-hour timer to shut it off by just tapping the appropriate button. It does not work. Extremely frustrating. I have written the company with two questions, to which they have responded but never answered my questions.
In the directions, it plainly says to NOT install on a light switch with a dimmer. They did. It is a wall switch with two knobs you turn one for turning off and on the fan that I replaced with the DC fan. It also controlled the speed of the fan. The other knob was to turn on and off and dim the lights in the room. They hooked the DC fan into this dimmer setup.
My question re the dimmer switches that I asked the company, was what could the results be from doing this. They did not respond to this question. It does make it really clear in the directions NOT to do this. I do wish they would include the "what ifs" if it is done this way. The people that installed it to the dimmer switches said it was OK to do this, even though we pointed out to them what the directions say.
The second question is in re to the dip-switches. The directions say the remote and receiver must have the dip-switches set the same. I do not know if the ones in the fan are identical to the ones in the remote. Nor do I know what would happen if they were not set the same. Would it work at all? Would it create problems? The directions said the dip-switches come from the factory all set to "on". More than once the directions state very clearly NOT to leave them all in the on position. It could create problems. It does not say what problems. I opened up the remote and they were all in the "on" position. They had not been changed at all.
When I wrote the company I asked once again, what these problems may be. I am big on examples, especially when I do not understand technical terms such as electricity. When I wrote the company after they responded with no acknowledgment of these two questions, I asked them the rock-bottom question I needed to be answered. Could these two issues be creating the problems I am having in turning the fan and light on and off? Are they the reasons for the issues I stated I was having? Once again I received a response but with no mention of what I asked each time.
The company or persons I hired to install the fan have done other projects for me. They have always been very satisfactory but I was charged a very large amount for this installation along with other jobs hired for. I see it as they see an old lady in a nice home and they're going to charge the most they can get away with. These were not electricians. That was out of my budget! The DC fan was replacing a fan so it was all set up for a fan. They have been really accommodating and said a couple of times if I ever needed help with the fan they'd be glad to come back and help. (Once again, thinking it was something I was doing wrong, I told them I was having trouble with the learning curve).
I messaged the people who installed the fan stating the problems I was having, and they did not sound so accommodating then. The main guy was on vacation and said he'd swing by when he got home. That I should consider I may just have a bad fan and need to get another. Personally, I do not think there is anything wrong with the fan. I am trying to gather knowledge as to whether their blatantly disregarding these two "DO NOT" instructions regarding the dip-switches and dimmer-switch could be the reason behind what is going on. I am having a heck of a time finding information on these two issues. I need to have good information when they come by as if these two issues could be the reason, I need them to fix what they failed to do.
I need to have the dimmer switches replaced with regular switches if indeed it does matter. (There are directions for a reason so my guess is it matters. In what way, I'd like to know.) When looking for regular switches I found 15 amp. 15 to 20 amp and 30 amp switches. Single pole, three-way, etc. I have NO clue which simple switches to replace the dimmers with. I solidly believe knowledge is everything. I need as much as I can gather so they won't be able to "poo-poo-" me away insisting these are not issues that would create these problems.
ANY valid advice and comments are extremely welcome. My apologies for such length. It certainly doesn't help when you don't know the correct wording for something. I get to where I go on too much but I'm tired of being brushed off and treated like I'm stupid. I went through that my entire life just for being female. Being old is an entirely different level, ramped up to the extreme! I may be old but I'm NOT stupid! Hence the knowledge-seeking!
Thank you one and all who managed to get through this.
I got the fan to reverse direction just like the directions say. It also has a 1, 3 or 6-hour timer to shut it off by just tapping the appropriate button. It does not work. Extremely frustrating. I have written the company with two questions, to which they have responded but never answered my questions.
In the directions, it plainly says to NOT install on a light switch with a dimmer. They did. It is a wall switch with two knobs you turn one for turning off and on the fan that I replaced with the DC fan. It also controlled the speed of the fan. The other knob was to turn on and off and dim the lights in the room. They hooked the DC fan into this dimmer setup.
My question re the dimmer switches that I asked the company, was what could the results be from doing this. They did not respond to this question. It does make it really clear in the directions NOT to do this. I do wish they would include the "what ifs" if it is done this way. The people that installed it to the dimmer switches said it was OK to do this, even though we pointed out to them what the directions say.
The second question is in re to the dip-switches. The directions say the remote and receiver must have the dip-switches set the same. I do not know if the ones in the fan are identical to the ones in the remote. Nor do I know what would happen if they were not set the same. Would it work at all? Would it create problems? The directions said the dip-switches come from the factory all set to "on". More than once the directions state very clearly NOT to leave them all in the on position. It could create problems. It does not say what problems. I opened up the remote and they were all in the "on" position. They had not been changed at all.
When I wrote the company I asked once again, what these problems may be. I am big on examples, especially when I do not understand technical terms such as electricity. When I wrote the company after they responded with no acknowledgment of these two questions, I asked them the rock-bottom question I needed to be answered. Could these two issues be creating the problems I am having in turning the fan and light on and off? Are they the reasons for the issues I stated I was having? Once again I received a response but with no mention of what I asked each time.
The company or persons I hired to install the fan have done other projects for me. They have always been very satisfactory but I was charged a very large amount for this installation along with other jobs hired for. I see it as they see an old lady in a nice home and they're going to charge the most they can get away with. These were not electricians. That was out of my budget! The DC fan was replacing a fan so it was all set up for a fan. They have been really accommodating and said a couple of times if I ever needed help with the fan they'd be glad to come back and help. (Once again, thinking it was something I was doing wrong, I told them I was having trouble with the learning curve).
I messaged the people who installed the fan stating the problems I was having, and they did not sound so accommodating then. The main guy was on vacation and said he'd swing by when he got home. That I should consider I may just have a bad fan and need to get another. Personally, I do not think there is anything wrong with the fan. I am trying to gather knowledge as to whether their blatantly disregarding these two "DO NOT" instructions regarding the dip-switches and dimmer-switch could be the reason behind what is going on. I am having a heck of a time finding information on these two issues. I need to have good information when they come by as if these two issues could be the reason, I need them to fix what they failed to do.
I need to have the dimmer switches replaced with regular switches if indeed it does matter. (There are directions for a reason so my guess is it matters. In what way, I'd like to know.) When looking for regular switches I found 15 amp. 15 to 20 amp and 30 amp switches. Single pole, three-way, etc. I have NO clue which simple switches to replace the dimmers with. I solidly believe knowledge is everything. I need as much as I can gather so they won't be able to "poo-poo-" me away insisting these are not issues that would create these problems.
ANY valid advice and comments are extremely welcome. My apologies for such length. It certainly doesn't help when you don't know the correct wording for something. I get to where I go on too much but I'm tired of being brushed off and treated like I'm stupid. I went through that my entire life just for being female. Being old is an entirely different level, ramped up to the extreme! I may be old but I'm NOT stupid! Hence the knowledge-seeking!
Thank you one and all who managed to get through this.
#2
05-20-22, 03:57 AM
Member
You can tell us the brand and model of the fan. Then we can advise what switch need to be used.
But if you want to put your mind at ease, hire an independent electrician and ask them to check the whole installation. It will cost you but you'll be sure it's correct.
But if you want to put your mind at ease, hire an independent electrician and ask them to check the whole installation. It will cost you but you'll be sure it's correct.
#3
05-20-22, 07:53 AM
Group Moderator
The manufacturers instructions say to not use any type of dimmer in line.
Most fan manufacturers where a remote fan control is involved specify no dimmer or electronic control because that control will change the AC voltage and frequency to the fan.
You should have the dimmer ? removed.
If your dip switches were not set properly...... nothing would work remotely.
Most fan manufacturers where a remote fan control is involved specify no dimmer or electronic control because that control will change the AC voltage and frequency to the fan.
You should have the dimmer ? removed.
If your dip switches were not set properly...... nothing would work remotely.
