Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 11, 2011 05:52pm | #1

   Seems to me a 3 way switch would do it. One side goes to the night light, and the otehr one to the regular light.

   But it would require fishing another wire, which you said you didn't wanna do.

2. 
   DanH | Jul 11, 2011 08:40pm | #2

   There are switches made for ceiling fans that can produce two hots from a single wire, using an electronic gizmo in the ceiling.  No idea how expensive or where you'd get one.  And, unfortunately, likely they're only available as a part of a speed control.

3. 
   DanH | Jul 12, 2011 07:04am | #3

   I don't see how a 3-way would solve anything.  What you're missing is the extra wire.

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 13, 2011 07:00am | #8

   "I don't see how a 3-way would solve anything."

   One leg goes to the regular light. The other goes to the night light.

1. 
   DanH | Jul 13, 2011 07:07am | #9

   That doesn't create another wire.  And the night light can be constantly on, if need be.

4. 
   bd | Jul 12, 2011 09:56am | #4

   You don't need a 3-way. What you need is a single-pole, double-throw switch --- along with the extra wire for the night light. You feed the fan light off one side of the double-throw & the nite light off the other side. Nutone probably makes a switch for that unit that will feed everything, but then you wouldn't need the 3 gang box.

1. 
   ward121 | Jul 12, 2011 05:45pm | #6

   That's sounds like what I need. Now to find a SPDT switch.

   Looks like im going fishing for a new line. I really didn't want to go back in that attic. It's 90 today!!

   Next time I'll  RTFM...live and learn!!

   Thank everybody!!

   Ward

1. 
   DanH | Jul 12, 2011 08:01pm | #7

   A SPDT switch is sometimes referred to as a "three-way switch" (as opposed to the "four-way switch" that is used for 3 or more fixtures).

5. 
   gfretwell | Jul 12, 2011 12:33pm | #5

   Where is the hot feed, the switch or the fan box? If the feed is in the fan box, and you ran a switch loop to the switch location, wire the night light across the light switch so when the switch is off, the night light is in series with the big light. The night light will be about 90% and the big light may be a dull orange.

6. 
   gfretwell | Jul 13, 2011 01:35pm | #10

   Put a photo eye on the night light.

1. 
   DanH | Jul 13, 2011 08:37pm | #11

   Ideally one is already there.  The SPDT switch wouldn't turn off the night light during daytime hours when the sun is shining through the window.

7. 
   ward121 | Jul 13, 2011 10:38pm | #12

   I guess I will cut a hole and run a new wire. Reviewed the pics I took  and there is no way I can snake it.

   I'll just add a double horisontal switch for a total of 4 switches in three spaces.

   Not pretty but it will work!

1. 
   calvin | Jul 14, 2011 07:42am | #13

   fishing the wire.

   From above, drill the plate in the stud space-drop a tight loop chain down the hole-fab a hook out of stiff wire-stick that up through the box-hook the chain and pull it in the box.

   pc. of cake.

8. 
   calvin | Jul 14, 2011 12:02pm | #14

   The chain we use is not link chain

   and I'll try to get a picture or name of it .   It does work well.

   If not able to use the chain, next best thing besides the cumbersome fish tape-fibreglass rods.  Sections screw together..

   
1. 
   gfretwell | Jul 14, 2011 10:55pm | #17

   You also need a magnet to probe for that chain with. I like a rare earth magnet out of a disk drive, epoxied to a piece of #10 wire.

   That baby with find the chain and not let go if you even get close. The only trick is getting it away from a metal box, hence the #10.

9. 
   coonass | Jul 14, 2011 01:38pm | #15

   Ward,

   Can you run a new neutral to the light and vanity. If so just use the neutral in the switch box as a hot.

   Don't forget to mark both ends with black tape.

   KK

1. 
   DanH | Jul 14, 2011 06:44pm | #16

   Seems to me that if he could run a new neutral he could run a new hot.

10. 
    ward121 | Jul 15, 2011 12:21am | #18

    Well it's a done deal. Ran new wire and installed switch. Live and learn!!

     Now to take apart an old disk drive and find a magnet!!

    Ward

1. 
   [email protected] | Jul 15, 2011 03:28pm | #19

   Cow magnet

   My preference is for a "cow magnet".  They are rare earth magnets, about 4-inches long, and half an inch in diameter. 

   They sell them in feed stores to stuff into cows first stomachs to capture any bits of steel, (such as bits of wire), that they might eat so the wire doesn't perforate their stomachs. 

   They cost about $1.50 each if you don't mind the recycled ones.

1. 
   ward121 | Jul 15, 2011 04:45pm | #20

   So they call that Recycling now?