How to Install a Ceiling Fan Remote

Upgrade your fan with a ceiling fan remote.

Introduction

Erstwhile ceiling fans may take inconvenient pull bondage, make noise or need repairs. One easy fix is to install a ceiling fan remote control. Y'all may besides need to supplant cleaved parts.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Capacitor
  • Ceiling fan switch
  • Remote control for ceiling fan
  • Wire basics

Project footstep-by-step (6)

Step 1

Adding new ceiling fan remote controls: Check the fit

fan

In this easy DIY project, we'll show yous how to alter a ceiling fan by adding a remote. For starters, slide the ceiling fan remote receiver into the space above the downwards rod. If it doesn't fit, endeavour other locations within the canopy.

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Step 2

Set the transmitter

switch

Flip the DIP switches to change the transmitter frequency if you take problems with interference. The switch positions on both ceiling fan remote units must match.

There are many "universal" ceiling fan remote control kits on the market for overhead fans controlled past pull chains and a singe wall switch. All of them characteristic on/off and fan speed control. Others too offering light-dimming and thermostatic control capabilities. Only whether you can use a ceiling fan remote kit depends on the amount of free space inside the fan canopy.

Many "ceiling hugger"–style fans take enough free infinite for the receiver for the ceiling fan remote. Merely "downwards-rod" styles may non. Shut off the circuit breaker to the fan and lower the canopy (use a voltage sniffer to make certain the ability is really off). Cheque the fit of the receiver earlier y'all commit to wiring it in permanently. Go along your receipt simply in case.

With the power off, connect the hot and neutral wires to the "Ac-in" wires on the receiver. Then connect the three remaining wires to the fan and light (they're labeled by the manufacturer).

If you take neighbors nearby, yous may have to change the frequency on the ceiling fan remote transmitter and receiver to prevent yous or your neighbors from decision-making 1 another's fans.

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Stride three

Fixing ceiling fan issues: Remove the capacitor

capacitor

Achieve into the housing and gently pull out the capacitor. Untangle it from the other wires. And so cut the capacitor lead wires one at a time, or remove the wire nuts and cut off the wire strands.

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Step 4

Shop for a new capacitor and switch

wires

Note the number of wires and the microfarad (uf) rating on the old capacitor. Buy a new one with the aforementioned number of wires and uf rating.

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Step 5

Insert the capacitor, then the wires

tape

Apply double-sided foam tape to the capacitor and stick it to the housing cap. Then pack the wires into the eye, making sure the wire basics stay connected.

A ceiling fan can run nonstop for years without a hint of a trouble. Then, out of the bluish, it tin quit completely, stop working on some speeds or start making a loud humming sound. You may think the motor is shot, but information technology's probably not. Those are all symptoms of a burned-out capacitor. The capacitor and the pull chain switch are the just 2 components that control the fan speeds. Switches rarely article of clothing out. Merely they can break if y'all pull the chain too difficult or it gets defenseless in the blades. You tin hedge your bets and replace both the capacitor and the switch in less than an hour for about $20. Here'south how.

Start by shutting off the power to the fan and the lights (if equipped). Y'all'll have to proceeds access to the housing where the speed and direction switches are located. In fans without lights, but remove the lesser cover. Double-cheque the power with a voltage sniffer earlier you stick your fingers in the housing. If your fan has lights, remove the globes and bulbs. And so remove the light kit. That'll betrayal the wiring in the housing.

Next, remove the capacitor. A burned-out capacitor might have a burned smell, swollen sides or scorch marks. Those are certain signs it's bad. Just even if yours appears to exist in good shape, replace it anyway because it's however the most likely cause of your speed/bustling trouble. If you have any doubts about the fan switch, supervene upon information technology, also. Remove the pull-concatenation switch past unscrewing the knurled outer knob. Pull the switch into the housing and disconnect the wires. Take both pieces to a ceiling fan or appliance parts store to get replacements. If y'all don't have a local source for parts, become to eceilingfans.com. Click on the "Capacitors" or "Wall Switches" tab to match each to a replacement. Stop the job by connecting the new parts and tucking everything back into the housing.

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Pace half-dozen

Fixing A Ceiling Fan Remote Command

receiver

Ceiling fans with factory remote controls don't employ traditional capacitors to control fan speed. The remote receiver varies the voltage and current to alter the fan motor speed. But ceiling fan remote control units can go bad too. Earlier y'all even call back about tearing the fan apart to diagnose a problem, replace the batteries in the transmitter first. Then printing the transmitter buttons to see if the LEDs light upwards. If you lot're not sure whether the trouble is in the transmitter or receiver, you can send both units to eceilingfans.com for testing (testing and repair usually run about $25). The receiver is usually tucked into the fan's mounting bracket, which is connected to the electrical box.

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Originally Published: December 17, 2022