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View Full Version : Can I rewire the ceiling fan to use alternate controls?


Mongolddj
Dec 6, 2011, 12:06 PM
Older model Hunter ceiling fan. Company and parts suppliers say replacement remote transmitter and receiver no longer available and that it can't be rewired to use alternate controls. I don't see why not, since a fan is only an electric motor. Three speeds and light. If parts are available, would prefer to replace. If not, would like to rewire. Is that possible and how to do? Another alternative would be to fix the controls, though that requires eletronics expertise which I don't have. Thanks for any assistance.

ballengerb1
Dec 6, 2011, 12:28 PM
I don't see why you can't just install a universal remote and receiver. Yosemite Home Decor Ceiling Fan Universal Remote Control and Receiver Set for Ceiling (CANOPY REMOTE) from The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/yosemite-home-decor-ceiling-fan-universal-remote-control-and-receiver-set-for-ceiling-fans-with-light-kit-white-231884.html) There weird thing is, Hunter makes one also Hunter Fan - Controls - Fan/Light Universal Remote Control - 27144 (http://www.hunterfan.com/Products/Accessories/Ceiling-Fans/Controls/Fan-Light-Universal-Remote-Control-27144/)

Mongolddj
Dec 6, 2011, 12:41 PM
Yes, I thought of that as well. However, my conversations with technical people at local hunter fan store and also hunter company in Memphis indicated that a universal wouldn't work. At first I wanted to get replacement parts, but have been told that they are no longer available. Not wanting to dispose of a perfectly good fan I am looking for alternatives. If I could just install a universal that would be fine, but am hesitant to try it given what I've been told.

Most univerals I've seen have three wires or so. The harness for the remote I have has eight wires. Power in and return; power to light and return; and four wires that go to the fan motor. The four wires that go to the motor each attach to the armature at different locations. I am assuming that the way this works is that each of the three attachments adds extra voltage to create the three fan speeds, and that the fourth wire is the return. I thought that perhaps I could connect the single power from the universal to all three power wires from the armature and that maybe that would work, but just not sure about this. In this case the receiver would have to process the current properly for it to work. ANy ideas?

ballengerb1
Dec 6, 2011, 01:09 PM
None now that you rated me poorly. It would have been helpful to tell us about the 8 wires in your first post. None of the fans I have worked on are wired as you have described.

Mongolddj
Dec 6, 2011, 01:49 PM
Sorry. I'm still trying to figure out how this system works. Didn't mean to offend you.
But, your answer seemed dismissive.

ballengerb1
Dec 6, 2011, 01:55 PM
Dismissive, how so? Until you mentioned 8 wires my suggestion of 2 different remote with links to the manufacturers would appear helpful, not disnissive. If the part you need is no longer made then you need an alternate. What model do you have?

Mongolddj
Dec 6, 2011, 02:27 PM
Sorry again. I guess I'm just frustrated. You've been helpful. Initially I didn't find a way to respond to your answer. Didn't know that you would see my initial reply. Email said not to respond to e-mail. So, seemed to be a clunky system. Now I see it works this way okay. So, again, my apology.

No model number found on fan. Sent pictures of remote transmitter and receiver to Hunter. They responded that it is an Orion fan. But, parts say hunter. I think one of the earliest models of remotes. Receiver installed inside of fan with brackets. I've added picture of remote parts. Anyway, I hate to throw away a perfectly good fan because of remote. Receiver has an 8 pin connector. I've traced the wiring as described. 2 from ac power, 2 to light, and 4 to fan. May try hooking the receiver to ac power and tesing output. See if I can measure voltage. Not sure which part is defective. Could be either, but suspect the transmitter. I'm not good with electronics, so won't go there. It's either replace the remote or buy a new fan, I guess. Thanks for your patience.

asemerine
Jun 4, 2012, 08:34 PM
Just rewired a Hunter after gutting the built in electronics. Added an aftermarket remote and control, but the fan speed is off. The 4 wires to the armarture comprised two sets - two to one winding, the other two to another inner winding. I took one of each set to the hot wire, and one of each set to the neutral wire and it tested out okay until the blades were reinstalled. It runs too slowly. I have three speeds, the light works, but just too slow. I am concerned because I eliminated the heavier capacitors that were used for starting I presume and I am uncertain as to whether each winding is working with or against the other!