Paddle fans

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Zanichbug

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If a new or reasonably new paddle fan with lights comes with a remote control, does having a wall dimmer "confuse" the remote? These are expensive ($250) fans with some motor noise that I can't explain. Thanks...
 
Yes; cascading dimmers and/or speed controllers doesn't work well.

You should have a wall controller or a remote, not both, for a fan.
 
LarryFine said:
Yes; cascading dimmers and/or speed controllers doesn't work well.

You should have a wall controller or a remote, not both, for a fan.
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Larry I have had many fans that worked just fine with a remote and a wall switch. I wouldn't have 2 fans trying to work off one remote but why would the remote and switch be an issue? The remote will signal whatever you command and it doesn't care what state the fan motor or light is in. It basically works as a 3 way switch would work.
 
A remote and a wall switch, yes, but a remote and a wall controller, not unless either can remain on its high setting.

Two electronic controllers usually don't work well together because each expects to be the only controlling device.

A fan with a pull-chain 3-speed switch will work with a wall controller or remote, and should always be left on high.
 
I am talking about this and they are sold this way

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Dennis Alwon said:
I am talking about this and they are sold this way

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That type of wall control is just a wall mounted wireless remote. It may have a pair of black wires that connect like a switch but they don't provide an control over the fan other than a power on/off switch if the wall control has one.

If you were to try and use a standard wired dimmer/speed control it would not be comparable with a remote control.
 
curt swartz said:
That type of wall control is just a wall mounted wireless remote. It may have a pair of black wires that connect like a switch but they don't provide an control over the fan other than a power on/off switch if the wall control has one.

If you were to try and use a standard wired dimmer/speed control it would not be comparable with a remote control.
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Of course a standard speed control would not work with a remote. These are 2 electronic devices that work together and the wall switch changes the speed on the fan as well as turning it on and off. There are other devices as well.

We have used 2 wall switches for a fan and thus it was like have a 3 way for both fan and light

I believe Larry was saying 2 electronic devices won't work

From Larry: Two electronic controllers usually don't work well together because each expects to be the only controlling device.
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Zanichbug said:
If a new or reasonably new paddle fan with lights comes with a remote control, does having a wall dimmer "confuse" the remote? These are expensive ($250) fans with some motor noise that I can't explain. Thanks...
Click to expand...
If you're talking about a dimmer that previously controlled just a light and now you have a fan, that won't fly.
You are trying to use a dimmer to control a fan. That doesn't work and is the reason for the noise in the fan. You may have already damaged the fan motor.
 
Whether dimmer or speed controller, a fan that comes with its own wireless remote should not be supplied through anything except a switch (or relay contact, etc.)
 
Zanichbug said:
If a new or reasonably new paddle fan with lights comes with a remote control, does having a wall dimmer "confuse" the remote? These are expensive ($250) fans with some motor noise that I can't explain. Thanks...
Click to expand...
From my experience I have found the following :
  • When using a rheostat type dimmer switch (an existing one) to control power to both the fan and light will probably cause the light to dim but the fan will hum on a lower setting
  • The hand-held remote control is designed to communicate with the built-in receiver which is designed to be supplied by a 120V source. If there's a dimmer switch ahead of that receiver, lowering the output of the dimmer switch will result in less voltage to the receiver and will, in all likelihood, cause the remote/receiver combo to malfunction in some way.
  • If the receiver is built into the fan - you are married to that fan and remote combo :) . If the receiver is a separate part, you have to make sure the fan speed setting (via the pull chain) has to be set on high or you will probably burn out the motor (eventually).
Hope this helps and I hope I interpreted your question correctly.
 
Somewhat on same topic, have a customer that purchased two of the same type fans (Home Depot) not certain the name of the fan off top of my head, fans are in two different rooms. Supposed to be able to "unlearn" the other fan according to instructions but can't seem to do that with either one, so you turn one on or change any setting and they both change. Any ideas why I can't seem to "unlearn" the other fan/control? This is units with a controller in the fan and wireless hand held remote control. No dip switches that can be changed that I am aware of.

Only thing I can think of is possibly need to power unit down for longer time period before going through learn/unlearn processes? I think you only have so much time after powering up to run the process, maybe needs powered down for certain time before it will actually go through the "power up process"? Though instructions don't mention this.
 
Try an internet search with model number and phrases like "two fans" or "two remotes" or "change frequency".
 
kwired said:
Somewhat on same topic, have a customer that purchased two of the same type fans (Home Depot) not certain the name of the fan off top of my head, fans are in two different rooms. Supposed to be able to "unlearn" the other fan according to instructions but can't seem to do that with either one, so you turn one on or change any setting and they both change. Any ideas why I can't seem to "unlearn" the other fan/control? This is units with a controller in the fan and wireless hand held remote control. No dip switches that can be changed that I am aware of.

Only thing I can think of is possibly need to power unit down for longer time period before going through learn/unlearn processes? I think you only have so much time after powering up to run the process, maybe needs powered down for certain time before it will actually go through the "power up process"? Though instructions don't mention this.
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Are these fans on the same circuit? If so do they have individual switches? If both fans get powered on at the same time they will both be in learning mode. If you pair a remote it will pair with both fans.
 
I agree with Curt. I'm not trying to get too basic here but I would power up one fan at a time and pair that's fan's remote to the fan. Then shut down that fan and go to the next one and do the same with that fan's remote. If you still have a problem then I think it's with the remote(s). They could possibly have the same address.
 
curt swartz said:
Are these fans on the same circuit? If so do they have individual switches? If both fans get powered on at the same time they will both be in learning mode. If you pair a remote it will pair with both fans.
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goldstar said:
I agree with Curt. I'm not trying to get too basic here but I would power up one fan at a time and pair that's fan's remote to the fan. Then shut down that fan and go to the next one and do the same with that fan's remote. If you still have a problem then I think it's with the remote(s). They could possibly have the same address.
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They came factory paired, but apparently not with any unique settings that would pair a specific remote to a specific fan ,both remotes work with both fans. There is a switch inside battery cover of remote, one position is for "learning" the other for "unlearning" or something like that, been a couple weeks since I messed with them. Is a major addition/remodel going on and I will be back a time or two, but are nearing completion. And would like to get these to work as intended. But at same time I did not supply said fans so don't feel too obligated to put too much effort into it because of that.

I have tried powering one down while trying to learn/unlearn the other, done it with both fans and both remotes. They are on different circuits, and each has a wall switch in the room so is easy to power down individually anyway.

I might try powering both down next time I am there and doing other work for a hour or better then come back and try to re program just one of them. Not sure if they need powered down a minimum time or not, don't recall seeing any such thing in the instructions though. I do believe they automatically are in a learn mode for a certain amount of time when first powered up though from what I recall reading.
 
kwired said:
Somewhat on same topic, have a customer that purchased two of the same type fans (Home Depot) not certain the name of the fan off top of my head, fans are in two different rooms. Supposed to be able to "unlearn" the other fan according to instructions but can't seem to do that with either one, so you turn one on or change any setting and they both change. Any ideas why I can't seem to "unlearn" the other fan/control? This is units with a controller in the fan and wireless hand held remote control. No dip switches that can be changed that I am aware of.

Only thing I can think of is possibly need to power unit down for longer time period before going through learn/unlearn processes? I think you only have so much time after powering up to run the process, maybe needs powered down for certain time before it will actually go through the "power up process"? Though instructions don't mention this.
Click to expand...
i had that with home depot fans, they sent me new remotes and problem solved
 
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