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-   -   Ceiling fan has no reverse switch; running backwards (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=449066)

  • Feb 24, 2010, 12:06 PM
    palealien
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ceilingfanrepair View Post
    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.
  • Feb 24, 2010, 02:58 PM
    ceilingfanrepair

    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.
  • Feb 24, 2010, 03:37 PM
    Stratmando

    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.
  • Feb 24, 2010, 04:53 PM
    palealien

    Right; I get that. But I am not sure what it proves- I have the continuity (~50 ohms) on two pair, so now what?
  • Feb 24, 2010, 07:25 PM
    Stratmando

    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..
  • Feb 24, 2010, 09:45 PM
    ceilingfanrepair

    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.
  • Feb 25, 2010, 01:37 AM
    KISS

    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.
  • Feb 25, 2010, 06:25 AM
    Stratmando

    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.
  • Feb 25, 2010, 08:43 AM
    KISS

    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.
  • Feb 25, 2010, 08:57 AM
    Stratmando

    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.
  • Feb 25, 2010, 04:28 PM
    KISS

    Use at your own risk: Ceiling Fand wiring Diagrams CFG gets mad at me when I post this link.
  • Feb 26, 2010, 12:26 AM
    ceilingfanrepair

    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.
  • Feb 26, 2010, 07:28 AM
    Stratmando

    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?
  • Feb 26, 2010, 09:58 AM
    palealien
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stratmando View Post
    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.
  • Feb 26, 2010, 11:55 AM
    Stratmando

    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.
  • Feb 26, 2010, 12:16 PM
    palealien

    Kaboom!

    Just kidding, I'll go give it a shot. Thanks!
  • Feb 26, 2010, 12:49 PM
    Stratmando

    Good Luck, your Tough.
  • Feb 26, 2010, 12:55 PM
    palealien

    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!
  • Feb 26, 2010, 01:23 PM
    Stratmando

    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.
  • Feb 26, 2010, 02:20 PM
    KISS

    This was a fun read. Congratulations!

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

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