I’m in need of replacing a ceiling fan in my kid’s room with a regular light – the bunk bed gets the boys a little too close to the spinning blades 😉
The current fan in the ceiling is not switched and I would like to avoid running new conduit to make it switched from the wall. I’m not adverse to the idea of some form of light with a pull cord but I can’t seem to find anything in the supply catalogs.
Any ideas?
From building boxes and fitting face frames to installing doors and drawers, these techniques could be used for lots of cabinet projects.
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Replies
resi fixture canopies used to have a KO for adding a pull chain.....
or use a step bit and make one yourself.
I wouldn't be to surprised if there was some goofy fixture available with a remote
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...or buy a fan with smaller blades........or a floor lamp?.
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How about a keyless socket with a pull chain, and a shatter-proof light buld?
The United States is the only country where it takes more brains to figure your tax than to earn the money to pay it. [Edward J. Gurney]
Lighting isn't really a problem. What I need to do is get rid of the fan. Soon my oldest is going to the top bunk and if he wakes up at night, he's going to lose some teeth.
If it were up to me, I would just move the fan off-center in the room, but the DW doesn't like that idea. I could also just take down the fan and cover the box with a plate until the bunk beds are out of use. I would prefer to have a light up there though.
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
smarthome has something.....go figure,
but I don't know if it will fill the bill, it's basically a special socket and wireless wall switch.......I was looking at it just now and can't figure out how a fixture would adapt the stupid thinghttp://www.smarthome.com/2533l.html.
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I think this is the trick. I just need to replace the fan with a fixture that will allow for the extra 2" that the sensor adds to the length of the bulb.
View Image“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
You are on the right track.However, as far as I know there is no simple one step solution.But you can use these.X-10 fixture relay or dimmer. Mounts in the ceiling box.http://www.smarthome.com/prodindex.asp?catid=33Wireless transmitter.http://www.smarthome.com/4095w.htmlAnd RF to X-10 receiver.http://www.smarthome.com/includes/showimage2005.asp?img=/images/4095dgmbig.gif
http://www.smarthome.com/4005x.htmlThere is also a new line that is RF/X-10http://www.smarthome.com/prodindex.asp?catID=74&sa=1&s=6And you might be able to use the inline relay/dimmer with the wireless switch or another type.But ceiling box is accessible in the attic I would run a 3 wire cable to a wall switch and be done with it.And if it is not you can surface mount it using wiremold.
......sometimes, I really do miss the 60's........
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If you don't need the light, put a smoke detector on the outlet.
blue
You're right. Ive installed three or four of these remote controls for a fan. They are intended to go into an electrical box but require no electrical at the switch, they run off a 9v battery.
They are available at the big boxes. Just remember if you install more than one in a house to change the freq of one of them.
Go ahead ask me how I know this.
hehehe.....:).
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A lady had a hall light that needed to be changed, it was also unswitched. The new light did not have a switch. I drilled a hole in the base and mounted a slim pull chain switch - similar to what you find on fans/lights. Mounted it and it worked fine.
Word of caution; boys might be inclined to view the chain as a vine while they are Tarzan chasing the bother Cheeta. I'm not sure a pull light is a wise move in a boys room.
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Here's my proposed solution...
I went out and bought a standard ceiling fixture from the big box. I also bought a replacement pull cord switch found in the ceiling fan parts aisle. Drilled a hole and added the pull cord.
Anyone see any potential issues with this?
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Are pull strings permitted in bedrooms where you live? I'm not an expert on residential electrical stuff and it certainly varies from one part of the country to the next, but here in Minneapolis I believe bedroom lights are required to have a wall switch.
Edited 6/16/2006 1:14 pm ET by Stuart
Thanks for the response.
Prior to being a light, it was a ceiling fan w/ a light, both were controlled by pull cords. This is the same for all three bedrooms in our house. I believe the unswitched ceiling fan is very common around my area.
I'm more looking on feedback from a fire prevention standpoint. “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
back in the days of common sense if you did not exceed the mfrs wattage rating of the fixture, the thing would last a looong time without burning the house down.but now, local codes have been written to protect us from ourselves.....so if you promise not to turn yourself in to the local media or Sheppard Smith, we won't be seeing a "NEWS ALERT "
about you civil disobedience, or your face of the front page of the Daily Herald......and I won't insist that the cord on the switch be constructed of Nomex or Kevlar, or some as yet undiscovered 4hour rated material..also,Make sure you don't go batsh!t with those pull switches in your house after this little episode.
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So in other words...
As long as my cord is metal and I keep this my little secret, there's nothing wrong with my approach?
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
............nope...
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Can you please give me a straight-forward answer.
This is my house and my kid's room. I want to make sure I'm not doing something dangerous.
If anyone says "no" (with a good reason), I'll take it out and put up a smoke detector.“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
From the picture you posted, I see no problem with your approach or wiring. Years ago this was a common way to switch bathroom lights.
You probably have a wall switch that controls a receptacle with a lamp plugged in. That would satisfy the wall switch requirement in the IRC. This requirement does not mean ALL ceiling lights have to be wall switch controlled. Cloth twine or metal chain is OK.Frank DuVal You can never make something foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
the fixture is fine......the switch is fine......... the whole setup is OK do not use larger lamps than the fixture is rated for........thats allI don't see a fire hazard .......just keep all the wiring above the insulation in the canopy......Do you want me to come over there and wire it for you ....? I don't have a problem with that either ......for free even !!!.
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straight forward enough?
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Thanks for the answers.
(too much wine last night, sorry about the lack of patience)“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
wadda ya talkin bout....? you shouldn't drink and type .....????just don't call Chuck Norris, I've been kicked around enough this week.
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My only concern about a pull chain is a light child jumping off the top bunk and getting the chain around his neck and hanging himself. I imagine though that most children are heavy enough they would break the chain or pull the whole fixture down. Just a thought. Like where kids were dying on slides when they slid down and got the cords from hooded sweatshirts caught.
good jobI just get him settled down and you get him all fired up again....
but a kid would have to be pretty small like maybe 2 grams to get hanged by a pullchain.
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I'm just going to put on a short (8-10") metal chain.“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Is there an access problem which is preventing you from just running a switch leg (romex) from the proposed light location to a cut-in box and light swich?
After finding the perfect trick light to avoid a normal repair, you'll still have something that is never quite right. Fix it once and it won't be a problem for the life of the house.
Cheers
In my neck of the woods (suburbs of chicago) Romex is not allowed. So I would have to run conduit down the wall - no thanks.
I know I'm contradicting myself by saying I will follow this code but I won't follow the code that says the light has to be switched. For one thing, I do have a switched outlet on the wall that feeds a desk lamp. And second, I plan on putting the fan back someday - either when my son is older or when we move out. “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
I am curious, is it code to use BX or Flex conduit for fishing in circuits or do you have to open the walls?
I am curious, is it code to use BX or Flex conduit for fishing in circuits or do you have to open the walls?
I only know about conduit because I never see Romex. I'm not sure about armoured cable though.
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
the codes over there in Cook, Dupage,and Lake allow flex metal conduit AKA "greenfield "
or AC, MC, BX ....Kane, and most of Will I think, allow the use of NM.
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Here, rooms have to have something that works off a switch. A lamp in a wall socket can be switched to meet code. It's rare to see ceiling lights in MI.
blue
Are pull strings permitted in bedrooms where you live? I'm not an expert on residential electrical stuff and it certainly varies from one part of the country to the next, but here in Minneapolis I believe bedroom lights are required to have a wall switch.
Yea, an inspector could barge in any minute and make a bee line to the kids room.
See post "I shot the inspector."
Why not just remove the blades of the fan for now. The current light would still work as advertised then down the road as the yunguns get older you can re-install the blades to the fan.
Semper Fi
edited to add, I am assuming the fan already has a light kit.
Edited 6/18/2006 8:19 am ET by Jarhead
I agree w/ your idea, but the wife would never go for it.“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
10-4....... One more option I am thinking about. Then I will quit. How about a remote light system? They make a bayonnet style adapter you can screw into standard light fictures that utilizes a remote control to actuate the light. The remote can be installed on the wall in a base which can allow you to remove with ease if needed yet the yunguns can still reach like a standard light switch.
Semper Fi
That's mentioned a little higher up in this thread. Smarthome has a bunch of stuff that would work just like you describe.
That's still an option for me sometime. The problem is that I don't realy have a good spot for another switch on the wall.
thanks all“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
That's still an option for me sometime. The problem is that I don't realy have a good spot for another switch on the wall.
Jmadson, you don't have to mount the remote on the wall. Lay it on a bookshelf, changing table, bureau, on the door, in your pocket, etc.......
Semper Fi
Edited 6/18/2006 1:24 pm ET by Jarhead