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    beefstew88's Avatar
    beefstew88 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 21, 2008, 05:08 PM
    Changing rotary action fan control
    Hi- I am replacing the rotary action fan control for my ceiling fan. I also changed the 2 light switches that were in the same box. When I unhooked one I put in the new one so I wouldn't get the wires confused. At first only one light would come on. I changed 2 wires and now both lights come on but the fan doesn't come on.

    The new fan control has 2 black wires and 1 green(ground). The old one did not have a ground wire. I attached the ground wire to the 3 that were twisted together at the back. If that is not right please let me know.

    There are 3 sets of wires coming into the box. 2 sets have a copper, a white, a red, and a black. The other looks the same except there is no red. The 3 coppers are twisted together at the back. They were crimped together. I removed the crimp and added the green wire. I put a wire nut on them. The white wires are all twisted together as well.

    I know you need more info I just don't know what it is.

    I appreciate any help you can give me.

    Beefstew88
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #2

    Jan 21, 2008, 06:02 PM
    Is the "rotary fan control" a fan speed control designed for fans?

    I'm guessing you may have the line and load terminals reversed and/or you fried the control.

    The load side goes to the fan and the line side goes to power. Without a test light or voltmeter, you would have a hard time figuring out which is which.

    One black will be live all the time. Voltage will be measured between the box and a black at all times when the control is disconnected as well as the whites and the same black.

    If it is what I described, then putting the two black wires together will turn on the fan, providing no one moved the fan pull switch on the fan if it has one.

    The greens you likely connected properly to the switch and the bare. The bares also need to be tied to the box if the box is metallic. This is usually done with a green pigtail that you can purchase or it can be done with a bare.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #3

    Jan 21, 2008, 07:21 PM
    What brand is the fan and what brand is the old control? Let's make sure the new control is compatible before we start switching wires.
    beefstew88's Avatar
    beefstew88 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jan 21, 2008, 07:42 PM
    It is a 3 speed Hampton Bay fan control.

    What do you mean by load and line side? Sorry I don't know all the tech words. I hope I didn't fry it.

    If both the hall light and fan light work now I probably fried the speed control. Right?

    The 2 light switches that I changed were a little different which may be why I might have mixed up the line and load wires. Right?

    Thanks for your help. I'll keep trying or get someone who knows more than I do.

    Beefstew88

    Its times like these that I wish I had a husband.:)
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #5

    Jan 21, 2008, 09:54 PM
    I didn't need the make of the new control, I need the old control and fan :)

    Chances are you haven't messed anything up yet. But you might if you keep randomly trying things. We'll help you get it straight. Pictures of the switches and wiring might help a lot.
    beefstew88's Avatar
    beefstew88 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jan 22, 2008, 02:25 PM
    The fan and speed control are both. Hampton Bay.

    Thanks again,
    beefstew88
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #7

    Jan 22, 2008, 03:05 PM
    So the new AND old speed controls are both Hampton Bay?

    Does either one have a light control built in, or are they both fan only?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #8

    Jan 22, 2008, 03:29 PM
    Line and load side should not mater, the dimmer needs to replace switch connections.
    Get everything without dimmer, then install dimmer between connections(Hot and up to fan). If you had the wires disconnected, see what is hot, identify. This hot will be common to both switches.
    beefstew88's Avatar
    beefstew88 Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jan 22, 2008, 03:45 PM
    Sorry Ceilingfanrepair- the old control was called The Fan Club, the new one is Hampton Bay. Both are fan only.

    Thanks again!
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #10

    Jan 22, 2008, 04:35 PM
    If both were fan only, two wire, not computerized, then we need to see a picture of the switches and wiring to help you get it wired right.
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