Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 04, 2007 09:50pm | #1

   By 3-way switch, do you mean you can switch the fan from two locations, or that it has 3 speeds? Do you want to keep the fan running pretty much all the time, and switch only the light?

   I don't know if they make fan switches in 3-way (two locations), but you could wire the fan's light circuit to the switch, and hotwire the fan lead, controlling the fan from the pull chain (there is one, right?). Or you could switch the fan seperately.

   You can get electronic switches to control a fan/light combo from a 2-wire setup, but I'm not a fan (groan!) of them. In my experience, they are pretty sensitive and tend to blow if subjected to static elect. sparks from, e.g., your finger when you reach to turn them on/off.

   For my money, installing a 3-wire circuit for a fan is worth the effort, if possible.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   cameraman | Dec 04, 2007 10:25pm | #2

   Mike

   By 3-way switch, do you mean you can switch the fan from two locations, or that it has 3 speeds? Do you want to keep the fan running pretty much all the time, and switch only the light?

   Correct, a 3-way switch,(switch from 2 locations) And I want to keep the fan running pretty much all the time.

   I don't know if they make fan switches in 3-way (two locations), but you could wire the fan's light circuit to the switch, and hotwire the fan lead, controlling the fan from the pull chain (there is one, right?). Or you could switch the fan seperately.

   I thought of wiring the fan hot, but the poor guy that's turns the switch off at the wall thinking the power is off to the fan, ZAP! I would like to switch the fan at the wall and let the excisting 14-3 that's in the wall that's set up with a 3-way switch control the light.

   You can get electronic switches to control a fan/light combo from a 2-wire setup, but I'm not a fan (groan!) of them. In my experience, they are pretty sensitive and tend to blow if subjected to static elect. sparks from, e.g., your finger when you reach to turn them on/off.

   Those electronic switches takes up to much room in the box, I'll have to hack the wall up and new box. Don't like em.

   For my money, installing a 3-wire circuit for a fan is worth the effort, if possible.

   Back to the question, would I have to pull a 14/2  with ground wire to the fan and switch it in the wall to do what I want to do?

   This way the light will be switchable @ 2 locations and the fan only at one locatiion.

   Is that the way for me to go?

2. 
   JTC1 | Dec 04, 2007 10:26pm | #3

   Situation now = Two three way switches will turn fan and light on/off from 2 different switch locations.  Can only control fan and light as individuals by turning on either of the 3 way switches and then turning fan or light on/off via fan mounted pull chains.

   You want to be able to control the fan and light individually from 2 different locations?

   Simplest solution is to put in an aftermarket remote control.  However they have some problems of their own as Mike pointed out.

   I am not aware of stacked 3 way switches - plus you would need additional cabling to accomodate them.

   In order to control fan and light, individually, from 2 locations you would need double boxes at both locations - each box contains two 3 way switches - one for fan, one for light. Plus two runs of 3 conductor cable between the switch boxes, plus..................

   Depends on how good your access is, how much you really hate the pull chain, and how much of a nuisance any false tripping of a remote control will be.

   Jim 

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
1. 
   cameraman | Dec 04, 2007 10:33pm | #4

   Jim,

   You summed up the situation correctly, But I never did say that I wanted to switch the fan in two locations, not needed.

   I dislike the wall mout control as both of you do, no a option.

   I guess I am answering my own question, I need to pull a new wire to control the fan from only one location. Correct.

   FYI, they do make a stacked three way switch, pricey!!!

1. 
   BossHog | Dec 04, 2007 10:40pm | #7

   When I wire ceiling fans I always pull 3 conductor romex to the fan, even if there's only one switch. It might be worth checking to see if whomever wired your setup did the same.I think they make remote fan and light controls that would do what you want without rewiring. But then you have to keep track of the rmote...
   A pipe gives a wise man time to think, and a fool something to stick in his mouth.

2. 
   JTC1 | Dec 04, 2007 10:50pm | #8

   Control fan from one location, control light from 2 locations.

   I believe you already have it figured out.

   You will need a new switch box.

   Also need a new 14-2 switch leg cable run - path = power source to new single pole switch to fan motor "hot" lead.  Any configuration will do depending upon where the power source is located.

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

3. 
   McDesign | Dec 04, 2007 10:36pm | #5

   I have a couple of thoughts, but need more info: do you know where the power comes into the circuit?  Most likely, the power feeds one switch; a three wire goes from there to the overhead box; another three wire goes from the overhead box to the other three-way switch. 

   The fan is fed neutral from the white wire on the first 3-wire, and hot from the black-tagged white of the other three-wire.

   That how you have it now?

   Be nice if power came in to the overhead box!

   Forrest

4. 
   JTC1 | Dec 04, 2007 10:38pm | #6

   Reread your OP.

   You could leave the 3 way circuit essentially intact and let the existing switches control just the light.  Inside of the fan base you will find 2 wires connected to the switched, hot line - you would undo that wire nut and connect just the light to the switched line.

   The fan motor is now dead.

   You need to figure out where the power enters the switch / fan box system.  It will be at one of the switch boxes or at the fan box.

   Best case would be at the fan box.  If that is the case, you could install a 2 conductor switch leg cable which runs to a new wall box containing a single pole switch which will control the fan only.

   Path of switch leg = power source at fan box -- cable -- single pole switch -- cable back to fan motor hot lead.

   This would involve 1 new 2 conductor cable run plus new switch box in wall plus single pole switch.

   You just posted to me.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
1. 
   cameraman | Dec 04, 2007 11:00pm | #9

   Jim,

   You got the drift as what I want to do.

   I will not have to put a new box in because both boxes,(on each end of the 3-way are in a 3 gang box).

   I am thinking of this now because I am working in the room above the fan and the floor is open. ez acess to the fan.

   The wall one of the 3 way switches is in is the main chase for plumbing/power to the upstairs, (lots of room & ez to run cable in wall)

   If there should be power in that box, or ez to get power.

   Thanks to all, now is the time to do it while the floor is opened up.

   Thanks again,

   Fred

1. 
   JTC1 | Dec 04, 2007 11:09pm | #10

   Just make sure wherever you obtain power for the new "fan only" switch is on the same breaker as the old fan+light switches.

   You don't want to mix and match circuits.

   Jim Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

1. 
   cameraman | Dec 04, 2007 11:19pm | #11

   Excellent!!!!!  Will do!!

   Don't want to fry anyone!!

    

1. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 05, 2007 02:37am | #13

   First of all there is not problem with have the fan "hard wired" to the power.That is done all the time. And look at many basement lights that controlled by pull chains on the fixture, saem different.Now I have not been able to figure out what you already have.But here are all of the different ways that you can wire a ceiling fan & light.http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/fanlight/The right column is what you want to use.Now if you currently have power comming into the switch box and and then a 2 wire cable tothe fan you need remove that cable and it will be replaced with a 3 wire cable from one of the switch boxes.If you currently have a cable with power comming into the fan box and a then switch leg cable to the switch you can keep both of those.But it would be better to replace the switch leg cable with a 3 wire cable so that you can have future control of the fan from that box..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

2. 
   cameraman | Dec 05, 2007 03:21am | #14

   Bill,

   Thanks this gives me at lot of info. I helped pull the wire 10 yrs ago, and I think we have a 3 wire going from switch to fan to switch with the power coming to the switch.

   The entire unit is controled by a 3 way switch.

   The other fans also have a 3 wire but no 3 way switch, so a switch for light & switch for fan.

   But I do have a fan in another room that the light is controled by a 3 way and the fan by a single pole switch.

   I don't know why we did it this way, must have been the late hours.

   Thanks, I knew you chime in. Thanks

   FRED

2. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 05, 2007 02:19am | #12

   "Just make sure wherever you obtain power for the new "fan only" switch is on the same breaker as the old fan+light switches."Wired correctly it has to be.I have not been able to follow all of the details, but there should only be one cable in fan box that supplies hot or switched hot..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

5. 
   MSA1 | Dec 05, 2007 05:41am | #15

   Depends on how the circuit is wired. Do you know if the line (voltage) first goes to the switch or does it start up in the ceiling box?

   If it starts at the ceiling it would be much easier to split. How old is the house? Many older houses were wired this way.

1. 
   cameraman | Dec 05, 2007 02:29pm | #16

   This is a 10yr old rewire job. I will have to look to see where the feed is.

   I remember my electricial stating that lots of older homes had the feed into the ceiling fixture.

   He like the feed in the switch.

1. 
   MSA1 | Dec 06, 2007 05:04am | #17

   The feed at the switch is fine, but if its already at the fan it would be easy to simply wire the fan constant hot then proceed with the swtich only controlling the light.