I just rescued an old Hampton Bay fan and reinstalled it in my shop. It rotates clockwise only and there is no switch on the motor to change direction. It came with a remote branded "Westinghouse" so it may not be OEM? I have installed many fans and recall some changed directions via reversing a jumper, but I have no diagram. Also it would be quite inconvenient on this model, it came cladded with about ten pounds of ugly aluminum shell.

I know this has come up here before, and I even tried the flipping-power-while-spinning method to no avail. Which would be difficult anyway; it's 10' off the floor.

I would prefer not to guess at the right wire to swap, and doubt a diagram is available, so any input would be appreciated.

If the flipping power while spinning thing didn't work, either one of two things:

1. There IS a reverse switch on the fan and you just can't find it. This would explain why the reversing trick didn't work, if the reverse switch is hard wired, you can't fool it.

2. We already know it doesn't have the correct remote. So you may have to optain the correct remote for it, which would (possibly) have the reverse button.

It doesn't have pullchains, does it? Where is the receiver mounted?

If the flipping power while spinning thing didn't work, either one of two things:

1. There IS a reverse switch on the fan and you just can't find it. This would explain why the reversing trick didn't work, if the reverse switch is hard wired, you can't fool it.

No, as I mentioned, I stripped it down to the bare motor, there are only 2 small modules attached to the top surface- they are sealed and there is no external switch.

http://i47.tinypic.com/24ybkua.jpg


2. We already know it doesn't have the correct remote. So you may have to optain the correct remote for it, which would (possibly) have the reverse button.

Yeah, that probably will do it, but since this project has been nearly free so far I was reluctant to do that. If I do, any recommendations?


It doesn't have pullchains, does it? Where is the receiver mounted?

No. At the moment, the receiver is temporarily wired at the top of the 8' pipe I am hanging it from. Works fine, the light too, just backwards. I tried running AC directly to the motor, no change.

Thanks for the reply! Any other ideas appreciated. Reversing a pair?

Looks like maybe a Capacitor and a Receiver. Swapping the correct 2 wires will likely change direction.
Some Older Fans didn't have a Reverse, so they made the Blades with adjustable pitch, You could get up or down airflow with out changing motor direction.
Just gave me an Idea for an Invention if no one makes them is:
Universal Fan Brackets that allow changing the blade pitch?

Looks like maybe a Capacitor and a Receiver. Swapping the correct 2 wires will likely change direction.

Right, any idea which pair?


Just gave me an Idea for an Invention if no one makes them is:Universal Fan Brackets that allow changing the blade pitch?

Patent pending... :)

Not sure which pair, but someone good with these motors may know resistance test to help determine which pair.

This may help, looks like swapping 1 winding of the motor should do it:
Ceiling Fand wiring Diagrams (http://www.hurontel.on.ca/~taitg/pages/cfan.html)
You will need a Meter.

Thanks, first diagram I have seen. Not applicable here, but it'll be useful I am sure. I have seen many set up like these; just not mine.

Try swapping pink and yellow.

Try swapping pink and yellow.

Made sense, that's how other motors seem to do it. But: no go, sadly. Might have to give up and take it to a local fan shop. :(

All 3 fan diagrams show reversing 1 winding to reverse direction, resistance checks should show 2 possible pairs to reverse?

All 3 fan diagrams show reversing 1 winding to reverse direction, resistance checks should show 2 possible pairs to reverse?

Well, that makes sense- but each diagram specs both a speed switch and a reversing switch- this unit had neither.

Well, that makes sense- but each diagram specs both a speed switch and a reversing switch- this unit had neither.

It does, they are just hidden among the electronics. The reverse switch will be a DPDT relay with 6 wires going to it.

Well, that makes sense- but each diagram specs both a speed switch and a reversing switch- this unit had neither.

That's why you're going to need a Meter to measure the resistance of the wires coming from the motor, the windings have continuity with each one, bo no continuity between the windings.
How many wires are coming from the motor and what color?

How many wires are coming from the motor and what color?

Has 7 -

3 white
Pink
Gray
Purple
Black

It's a bit awkward to work on suspended, but I can give it a shot.

I would then eleminate any wires that are to the light. Then look for continuity between all combinations of the wires determined to be fan only.
If a bulb is in the light remove it to be sure you don't see that resistance.

None of the wires he mentions are for the light. Light wire would be blue or orange in a Hampton Bay.

I always advise against this sort of project.

If you can find the relay, then swap wires there. It may be solid state. Look for any place on the circuit board where 6 connections terminate.

Correct about the light. I also can't understand why this would be a big deal- or for that matter, why the fan seems to have been sold hard-wired for updraft in the first place...

It wasn't. The remote that came with the fan has the reverse button. Someone switched it to updraft and it never got switched back.

I can't stand remote fans.

You COULD just contact the manufacturer and buy the correct remote with the reverse button.

You COULD just contact the manufacturer and buy the correct remote with the reverse button.

Did remotes at one time control direction? All the aftermarket ones seem to not. Not to mention, I can buy a new shop-grade 52" fan for $39.00, how much less would that be? Kills me.

Remotes included with fans usually have a reverse button, aftermarket ones do not.

The $39 shop grade fan will probably be better than this one once it's work.

Personally I recommend spending a little bit more and getting an Envirofan Gold Line for around $150. Better quality fan than anything else on the market, commercial or otherwise.

So, you're not going to try the resistance checks?
I would give the 3 whites a label with a number or letter on a label to help with your resistance test.

Write on Paper:
W1
W2
W3
Pink
Gray
Purple
Black,
Then check continuity W1 and W2, then W1 and W3, then W1 an Pink, then W1 and Gray and so on, then drop down to W2 and the colors below W2 as w2/w1 has already been checked.
Its relatively quick if you write down a list like above.

Right; I get that. But I am not sure what it proves- I have the continuity (~50 ohms) on two pair, so now what?

With power off, I would cut a pair that has continuity, reverse wires, then plug back into receiver.
If you are able to remove the 2 pins from the plug, swap and reinsert, that could work better. (No cutting or Connectors).
If you don't have a pin extraction tool, a very small screwdriver may work.
Make note of pin positions before removing.
On the first page there is 3 fan diagrams, notice each swaps 1 winding for reversing..

USUALLY all white wires connect to the same place.

If you're going to experiment with switching wires around, do it in series with a light bulb. Brighter light = problem.

OK guys.

The two wired thing (capacitor). One side likely goes to power common or power and the other to a winding.

The other side goes to a motor winding. That winding has to be reversed.

I'm suspecting if you removed the connector and put an ohmmeter on one end of the capacitor and probed the motor windings, there will be one and only one connection that will have some resistance.

Swap those two leads.

Before you do, put a 60-100 watt lamp in series with the power of the fan. Verify that the fan works. If the bulb glows appreciably, increase the wattage of the series connected bulb.

Ceilingfan, white SHOULD go together, but I have seen white and green used in ceiling fans and they weren't always used as neutrals and grounds?
Kiss, the 3 diagrams show the winding without the Capacitor to be reversed.
The 3 diagrams don't accurately show the polarity switch correctly. They show a fan speed switch, not the DPDT that it actually is.

Strat:

In a PSC fan there is the simple case of 2 windings and one capacitor. Reverse EITHER winding and you reverse the direction.

Now suppose this fan has a tapped winding for speed. That tapped winding cannot be reversed. You must therefore reverse the winding in series with capacitor.

The winding in series with the cap might be easier to identify and reversing it works in both scenereos.

The reversing switch is one of those old polarity reversing thngs I played with as a kid. The back of a DPDT switch has 6 terminals. Run 2 wires on diagonal corners. And attaché 4 leads: 2 to the center and 2 to one edge.

One pair goes to the winding and the other goes to the where a winding was. And you now have a reversing switch.

I figured either winding would work, but since the 3 diagrams shown reverses the pair without the Cap, that couldn't hurt.
I didn't figure it had any taps, as he only had continuity between 2 pairs(2 windings).
I agree reversing either pair should reverse direction.
Hopefully he gets it. I think he's close.

Use at your own risk: Ceiling Fand wiring Diagrams (http://www.hurontel.on.ca/~taitg/pages/cfan.html) CFG gets mad at me when I post this link.

I don't like giving people already in over their heads, more information to encourage them to mess things up when there are simpler solutions.

In this case, there are no simpler solutions. The OP doesn't want to put any money into the fan and it is unusable as is, so he has nothing to lose.

I can't tell him how to (re) wire it without seeing it in front of me. Far too many possibilities. The most common-- switching the pink and yellow-- didn't work.

So you guys can theorize and post diagrams all you want. Worst case scenario his fan gets smoked and he's no worse off. Best case scenario, it works.

You're right ceilingfan, sounds like he wants to take a chance, I look at it as a learning experience, he will find what works, or find how esasy it is to smoke a motor. But something will be learned. Anyone can buy a remote.
palealien, can you tell us which colors has resistance between them?

You're right ceilingfan, sounds like he wants to take a chance, I look at it as a learning experience, he will find what works, or find how esasy it is to smoke a motor. But something will be learned. Anyone can buy a remote.
palealien, can you tell us which colors has resistance between them?

Yes, white-white and purple-pink. And hey, if I fry it at least I have a reason to give up! I'd prefer to not, though.

I would try swapping the pink and purple, pull pins out if possible and swap the 2 wires, on one side of the plug only.

Kaboom!

Just kidding, I'll go give it a shot. Thanks!

Good Luck, your Tough.

Strat, success! Thanks a million. I don't know at what but if I can ever return the favor I would be delighted.

Glad to have saved it; this motor rocks. And now I can install a proper rev switch and be good all year.

(Hey, I just watched a Michael Palin travel show about Hemingway- he visits the Keys, among other places. Always wanted to vacation down there.)

Thanks again!

Good Deal, you know how to wire this to a ploarity switch(DPDT)?
Basically like Kiss mentioned earlier, you cross the corners, attach purple and pink to the center terminals, then the other ends of the pink and purple go to one end of the switch, the other end of the switch will only have the crossing wires.
I'm in Tavernier, but 90 Miles south at Key West is The Hemmingway House. Years ago, I used to maintain the Security System there.
I have been in the basement, Was always curious about the things stored there. The age looked like Pappy could have put it their himself.
And have wondered if their is/was interesting things there, If it has been Flooded, I feel it HAD too within the Last many years, a lot of nice things would be lost.
I have a good friend, may be close to 80 has won many Hemmingway look alike contest, has most or all of his books.
Take Care.
Again, thanks again for hanging in their with the Fan.

This was a fun read. Congratulations!

Occaisionally we get some of these motor problems and most are hesitent to help because of sparks

Thanks! I actually have a strong electrical background but mostly DC, although the past many years I have done a bit of industrial AC and home stuff. Fixing things is my trade, and I try to save instead of just replace. It's an uphill struggle.

Re: Papa- the Palin show was funny, he went to Sloppy Joe's for the contest- wild.

Not to go too far OT, but I recently read a book on the FECRR and building the run through the Keys, as a lifelong left-coaster, I never knew about this unbelievable engineering feat until I happened to select the book to review.

Anyway, I picked up a DPDT switch, unfortunately all I could find today was a center off, another lovely feature of small-town life.

Thanks again, all. I'll post a picture later, now that it blows I find I got to shorten the mast a bit.

I never switch from downflow, even in the winter, I figure in the winter the downflow brings down the hot air that has risen?
I looked up Hemingway earlier for the correct spelling of "Papa" and was sad to see his Father, a brother, a sister and Grandaughter, besides himself, all committed Suicide. Sad
And this was after he moved to Idaho, seems like a long way from the Keys or Cuba.

I never switch from downflow, even in the winter, I figure in the winter the downflow brings down the hot air that has risen?
I looked up Hemingway earlier for the correct spelling of "Pappy" and was sad to see his Father, a brother, a sister and Grandaughter, besides himself, all commited Suicide. Sad
And this was after he moved to Idaho, seems like a long way from the Keys or Cuba.

The whole family, I never knew that. And Hunter Thompson went in Colorado.. sad indeed.

I heat my shop with a nasty 200KBTU propane thing, but the hot air just floats up to the 16' ceiling and eventually encourages the air below to warm up a little. Not to mention a serious monoxide layer... It will be interesting to see how this thing can stir it up. I believe I will find you are correct.

http://i49.tinypic.com/rms6kz.jpg

I never switch from downflow, even in the winter, I figure in the winter the downflow brings down the hot air that has risen?

I concur