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    robertr08's Avatar
    robertr08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
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    #1

    Jun 5, 2008, 05:39 AM
    How do I wire a ceiling fan with multiple independent lights
    My ceiling fan (unknown brand) has a four light cluster and one light that hangs beneath the four. The fan runs fine, but I am having trouble wiring the lights. There is one black and one white wire coming from the fan assembly to the light fixtures. Each light has a black and a white wire... not confusing yet. The pull switch has a black wire, a blue wire, and a red wire coming from it. I am hoping to have the lights work independently from the fan by the pull switch. I tried to make a diagram, but this site scattered my data... best I could do here.

    From
    Ceiling fan
    Assembly
    ______1 white____
    ______1 black____

    Switch
    ______1 blue_____
    ______1 red______
    ______1 black____

    4 lights
    (upper)
    ______4 white_____
    ______4 black_____

    1 light
    (lower)
    ______1 white_____
    ______1 black_____

    We have considered not installing this bottom light fixture. (hangs below in center)
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Jun 5, 2008, 06:50 AM
    I would use a Meter to check switching, May be the type switch that does one light or set of lights, another pull does other set, another pull lights all lights, and final pull is off. Say black is common, that goes to black from fan, blue could go to single light, red could go to other lights, all whites tie together.
    If you eleminate bottom center light, you could have 2 opposite lights on one pull, and the other 2 opposing lights be the second pull.
    robertr08's Avatar
    robertr08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
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    #3

    Jun 5, 2008, 09:12 AM
    Thanks for your response, but not quite the answer I am looking for. With the wires I've listed I need to know which ones go together to simply turn the lights on and off with the pull chain switch independent of the fan. The black and white wires from the fan assembly are obvious. What I need to know is how to connect the red and blue with the black and white wire from the lights so that the switch will operate the lights.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #4

    Jun 5, 2008, 10:27 AM
    Question: Does the pullchain switch in question control just the lights, or the lights AND the fan? What make is the fan?

    This is a very easy answer I just need these details.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #5

    Jun 5, 2008, 10:28 AM
    ASSUMING that the pullchain is JUST for the lights, and the fan is not a Casablanca.. .

    Black from fan - black from pullchain

    Blue from pullchain - black from center light

    Red from pullchain - 4 blacks from 4 other lights

    All whites together.
    robertr08's Avatar
    robertr08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
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    #6

    Jun 5, 2008, 10:37 AM
    Thank you for the details. I do not know the make or model of the fan. The pull chain switch is dedicated to the lights. The fan has it's own pull chain for speed settings and a slide switch for forward and reverse. The fan is fine and everything I am doing is below the fan assembly seemingly independent except for the white and black wires descending to the light fixture. Thanks again... I'll try this configuration. The most than can go wrong is a popped breaker.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #7

    Jun 5, 2008, 11:19 AM
    As long as you don't hook whites to switch the breaker should not pop.
    Sounds like all you need is a pull switch with 2 wires.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #8

    Jun 5, 2008, 11:28 AM
    Try what I suggested.

    Ceiling fan pull chain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More
    robertr08's Avatar
    robertr08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
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    #9

    Jun 5, 2008, 11:59 AM
    I connected the wires as suggested by "ceilingfanrepair" and everything works, but not independently. I'm guessing that it may be a faulty switch. I'm going to just leave it as it is right now until I purchase a new switch which most likely will come with wiring instructions. Thanks to all for their time and help. Have a great day! -Robert
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #10

    Jun 5, 2008, 03:51 PM
    The way I suggested should give you

    First pull, center light
    Second pull, outer lights
    Third pull, both
    Fourth pull, off
    robertr08's Avatar
    robertr08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
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    #11

    Jun 5, 2008, 05:44 PM
    I did as you suggested and I appreciate your help. I do believe that the switch is faulty because it doesn't even turn the lights off. You can pull the chain as long as you want and nothing changes. It is as if everything is wired direct. I'll get a new switch and wire it as you suggested along with the instructions as a reference. Thanks again. -Robert
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #12

    Jun 5, 2008, 08:19 PM
    Make sure you didn't mix up two of the black wires. The switch wasn't new?
    robertr08's Avatar
    robertr08 Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
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    #13

    Jun 7, 2008, 11:46 AM
    I replaced the switch with a new one, wired it as suggested and everything works just fine. The fan works and both sets of lights work independently. Thanks for the help.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #14

    Jun 7, 2008, 02:19 PM
    Thread closed since OP was happy with the answer received
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #15

    Jun 8, 2008, 11:51 AM
    What all did I miss?

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