Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - New Ceiling fan speed control

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mmonaco27
09-20-06, 01:31 PM
I've had a 3 speed ceiling fan for some time now. It also has a built in light fixture which was controlled by an on off switch. I no longer use the built in light fixture and I wanted a speed control on my wall, so...

I replaced the on/off switch to the light with a fan control nob from ACE Hardware.

I removed the light fixture.

I capped off the old power wire going to the fan and replaced it with the one that had been going to the fixture.

It works, there are three noticable speeds, however the fastest speed now is about the same as the slowest speed before. The slowest speed now is so slow I don't even think it circulates air.

One thing I noticed after the install was the polarity had changed so I need to flip the fan's directional switch.

My only guess is that the power that was supposed to be going to the lights isn't as strong as the fan power which I capped off. Am I correct or is there something else that can cause this?


mmonaco27
09-20-06, 01:52 PM
So I guess all the best ideas really do come in the shower. I was cleaning all the 15 year old fan dust out of my hair when I realized the original chain control was probably set to slow.

TUG TUG and there you have it. I'm still not sure why the polarity was reversed though.