Old Dog, New Tricks

[growler]

Yesterday I went on a service call to replace a speed control switch for a ceiling fan. Removed the old switch and went to find a replacement.

Found what looked like an identical replacement . Terminals marked L, 1,2, 3 the same as old switch.

What I didn't notice was in print at the bottom of the package. Dual capacitor switch.

This will not work with a single capacitor fan.
Had to go purchase and install the correct switch.

It been years since I installed a fan switch ( normally install a new fan and that way you know it will work).

I had forgotten that those switches look exactly the same as far as the markings. At least now I can tell people that I'm senile and not stupid.

 

[Besoeker]

Yesterday I went on a service call to replace a speed control switch for a ceiling fan. Removed the old switch and went to find a replacement.

Found what looked like an identical replacement . Terminals marked L, 1,2, 3 the same as old switch.

What I didn't notice was in print at the bottom of the package. Dual capacitor switch.

This will not work with a single capacitor fan.
Had to go purchase and install the correct switch.

It been years since I installed a fan switch ( normally install a new fan and that way you know it will work).

I had forgotten that those switches look exactly the same as far as the markings. At least now I can tell people that I'm senile and not stupid.

Would it not have been less cost to replace the entire unit?
I know, hindsight and all that.......

 

[Ingenieur]

Would it not have been less cost to replace the entire unit?
I know, hindsight and all that.......

replace the fan?

 

[Besoeker]

replace the fan?

Shall we let the OP answer?

 

[Ingenieur]

Shall we let the OP answer?

it just seems odd to replace the fan when only the switch is bad, that's all
relax

 

[growler]

Would it not have been less cost to replace the entire unit?
I know, hindsight and all that.......

That what I normally do. Fans are cheap and the labor to install is not that much. I could have installed a new fan in less time.

The choice is not mine to make, I can only make suggestions, in the end it's up to the customer.

There are a few people (very few) that don't like our disposable society and all the waste and want to repair rather than replace.

 

[Ingenieur]

That what I normally do. Fans are cheap and the labor to install is not that much. I could have installed a new fan in less time.

The choice is not mine to make, I can only make suggestions, in the end it's up to the customer.

There are a few people (very few) that don't like our disposable society and all the waste and want to repair rather than replace.

isn't the switch just a single gang wall switch?

 

[growler]

it just seems odd to replace the fan when only the switch is bad, that's all
relax

Not really. By the time the switch fall apart the fans are normally a bit old (10-20) years. If the fan was a real high quality unit such as a hunter original then it's worth repairs because it can have many years of service left. If the fan was a $50 special from a department store it's probably near the end of it's normal life anyway.

MY original post was to let people know to check for the correct switch before getting a replacement because the 2 switches will look exactly alike. They are different internally.

 

[growler]

isn't the switch just a single gang wall switch?

The speed control switch that's inside the fan housing that's operated by a pull chain.

 

[Ingenieur]

The speed control switch that's inside the fan housing that's operated by a pull chain.

:thumbsup:
makes sense now

 

[Besoeker]

That what I normally do. Fans are cheap and the labor to install is not that much. I could have installed a new fan in less time.

The choice is not mine to make, I can only make suggestions, in the end it's up to the customer.

There are a few people (very few) that don't like our disposable society and all the waste and want to repair rather than replace.

I agree with that. We Brits are getting better at that,, the waste issue I mean. What can be recycled gets recycled. ..........
I was just thinking of the cost to the customer in this case rather than his conscience about the waste issue.

 

[growler]

The speed control switch that's inside the fan housing that's operated by a pull chain.

:thumbsup:
makes sense now

If you were to replace a switch like this for your own fan and not have any labor cost then it would be an economical choice. Or if you were to do this on a house you intended to sell and not interested in the long run functionality of the fan.

 

[growler]

I was just thinking of the cost to the customer in this case rather than his conscience about the waste issue.

As I told this lady I normally don't get anyone wanting a fan repaired. They normally will want a perfectly good fan replaced with a newer model they happen to like.