View Full Version : Can I wire a W/R transmitter to my wired light switch to use a remote as well?
skinzdogg420
Nov 15, 2009, 09:24 PM
I was using a wireless transmitter on my bedroom lights with a hampton bay wireless remote but a friend of mine hooked it up. There was no fan. I have a new house now and I would like to do the same. I have 6 recessed lights hooked up to a normal light switch in the wall. How can I make this work? I would never think it would but that's how it was at my old house so I have the transmitter and the remote. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
KISS
Nov 15, 2009, 10:02 PM
Take a look here: INSTEON - Wireless Home Control Solutions for Lighting, Security, HVAC, and A/V Systems (http://www.insteon.net/)
Problem is, the system requires a neutral at the switch.
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Maestro (http://www.lutron.com/CMS400/default.aspx?app=Maestro) makes fan and light controls and they are typically infared. You aim at the wall switch. They, I believe require a neutral.
skinzdogg420
Nov 15, 2009, 10:23 PM
Take a look here: INSTEON - Wireless Home Control Solutions for Lighting, Security, HVAC, and A/V Systems (http://www.insteon.net/)
Problem is, the system requires a neutral at the switch.
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Maestro (http://www.lutron.com/CMS400/default.aspx?app=Maestro) makes fan and light controls and they are typically infared. You aim at the wall switch. They, I believe require a neutral.
Thank you, I appreciate your answer. By neutral do you mean a ground? On my light switch I have 2 white wires that are spliced together, 2 bare, copper wires that are together, and the only wires that are actually connected to the switch are 2 black in 2 different spots on the same side of the switch. I've never seen it wired like this but it works so I don't know. Thanks again.
KISS
Nov 15, 2009, 10:40 PM
This would apprear to one of those systems where power is run to the switch first which is what you need for these systems to work.
What you likely have is 2 cables with a white and black wire. The whites from each cable is spliced together.
The black from one cable goes to the switch and the other side of the switch goes to the other black cable.
Power comes in on one cable and the other cable goes to the light.
White is neutral and black is hot.
Bare is ground. If it's in a metal box, the ground should independently be connected to the box and the switch,
skinzdogg420
Nov 15, 2009, 11:03 PM
Yeah that's exactly how it's set up. The tranmitter or receiver, whichever it's called, has a white (neutral), black (hot), blue (for light), and 2 wires for the fan. I wish I looked at how he had it before I took it out. I can't find anything online so If any ideas let me know, either way thanks for the support.
KISS
Nov 16, 2009, 09:27 AM
I'm getting confused, sorry.
You have to tell me abit about the system. Most of the fan remotes are RF based with a module mounted in the fan. Some are add on and others are buit in.
Many times homes are wired with power to the ceiling fixture and a two conductor wire becomes a switch loop.
Usually, and I think it's stupid, only the remote can be used and you cannot use two remotes at the same time.
There is the IR version like I've eluded too.
You sort of mentioned that there was no fan. Is there a fan now?
What basically confuses me is
1. A hampton bay wireless remote
(implies a receiver in a fan and nothing in the switch n the wall)
2. Using the switch an remote at the same time
(generally implies an IR remote with somethig on the wall that you aim at)
3. Any markings? Picture of this thing. Model numbers?
4. Are you trying to use a fan this time. *without 3 wires heading to the ceiling fixture it won't happen)
I also don't know, what, if anything you have for troubleshooting: A meter, a test light etc.
I don't quite undersatnd two wires for the fan. Are any labels present on the wires?
If this thing is something that's mounted in place of the switch and it's an IR receiver and your not using the fan, then the hookup should be straightforward.
1. Remove the wires to the switch
2. Identifying power would be first on the agenda. It likely comes in at the bottom. Measuring between whaite and black with the switch off is first on the agenda.
3.Black and white of the control unit would go to the identified power.
4. Blue would go to the light. The fan wires would be capped.
Esentially, it would look the same as before except there would be more wirenuts and there would be 3 white wires together.
Here are Hunter's remotes: http://www.hunterfan.com/search.aspx?search=remote%20control
skinzdogg420
Nov 16, 2009, 02:45 PM
This is a pic of the receiver: http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/skinzdogg/receiver.jpg
This is a pic of the remote: http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/skinzdogg/remote.jpg
skinzdogg420
Nov 16, 2009, 02:47 PM
The room has 6 recessed lights wired to 1 standard wall switch.
skinzdogg420
Nov 16, 2009, 03:32 PM
I finally got it! Thanks a lot. I did this whole thing before but didn't take out the switch. That was my problem. All set. Thanks again.
skinzdogg420
Nov 16, 2009, 04:15 PM
AHH! Weird the lights are flashing when they're off! This is ridiculous
Stratmando
Nov 16, 2009, 04:23 PM
Quote"The tranmitter or receiver, whichever it's called, has a white (neutral), black (hot), blue (for light), and 2 wires for the fan."
On most receivers(the part in the fan) the 2 wire are from power in the ceiling(usuall a black and a white, then the black, blue, and white from the other end goes:
White to Light/fans white, black to fan and blue to light. You likely need to go from the blue and white and take it to you Cans. This neutral is different from the feed neutral, and should not be connected.
Don exceed the wattage for the lights.
ceilingfanrepair
Nov 26, 2009, 09:27 PM
You can buy a fan remote/receiver kit and just use the light side of things. It will have 5 wires, you will only need to hook up 4.
KISS
Nov 26, 2009, 10:13 PM
What ar these ceazy things: Ceiling Fan Controls by Minka Aire (http://www.farreys.com/ceiling_fans/minka_aire/fan_controls.html)
Can't find any real data, but some boast remote & wall, speed, direction and dimming.
ceilingfanrepair
Nov 27, 2009, 11:00 PM
They are just standard remotes proprietary to Minka fans.