[CHUCKLE]

We have a 4-bladed Emerson ceiling fan that we really like. Nameplate info is: Catalog # CF756AB-0, Model # AC4156 and the date code indicates that the fan was manufactured some time in 1983. As I said, we like the fan so we brought it with us when we moved ~1997. We finally have an opportunity to install it in this home and it brings up a question. Does anyone know if the motor in this unit is compatible with any of the current "universal" remote control devices? It was NOT built as a remote control fan. I understand that I might have to install a receiver in the ceiling unit but don't know if there is anything possibly unique about the motor that would make it incompatible. Thanks in advance for any comments.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Some of the older Emersons draw too much current for use with a remote. Can you email me a picture of it, I can identify it on sight easier than crossing the model number. [email protected]

[CHUCKLE]

Some of the older Emersons draw too much current for use with a remote. Can you email me a picture of it, I can identify it on sight easier than crossing the model number. [email protected]

Thanks for your interest. I'm not set up to download pictures at this time but I can provide some info.

I have the original Owner's Manual for this fan (I save everything which irritates my wife but that's another story). The model # (CF756AB) breaks down to a (supposedly) 56" diameter (fan blades tip-to-tip) ceiling fan with an Antique Brass finish. The model series includes numbers with either a 52 or a 56 in them. The owner's manual says that the 52" model is rated @ 0.73 amp and the 56" model is rated at 0.95 amp. NOTE: The motor housing decal includes the 0.95 amp figure.

It is a capacitor start motor. I don't know if that sheds any more light or not.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Does it have a model name as well as a number? EVENTUALLY I can dig out my 1984 Emerson catalog and cross the number, but, well, I'm lazy.

Sounds like it should be OK to use with a remote, I am guessing it is the 56" Northwind model which was also called the Great Room or something like that. These fans were imported and made by Alaska.

[CHUCKLE]

Does it have a model name as well as a number? EVENTUALLY I can dig out my 1984 Emerson catalog and cross the number, but, well, I'm lazy.

Sounds like it should be ok to use with a remote, I am guessing it is the 56" Northwind model which was also called the Great Room or something like that. These fans were imported and made by Alaska.

Looks like I erred on the side of not providing enough information. It is a NorthWind (their spelling) series fan.

The remote is not a big deal. It's just that in this installation will make it a little inconvenient to get to the fan pull. I had visions of adding one of these "universal" remotes while I was going through the mess of knocking out the original ceiling box and putting in a reinforced one. Have to do this from below and am anticipating typical home handyman hangups getting out the old box so the remote question gives me another reason to stall off starting a little longer.

[ceilingfanrepair]

The universal remote kits should work fine. Try to get a good one like a Hunter and not a bad one like Hampton Bay.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Keep in mind, you can always use a wall control if you do not wish to use a remote. Are you putting a light on the fan?

[CHUCKLE]

Keep in mind, you can always use a wall control if you do not wish to use a remote. Are you putting a light on the fan?

(From previous note) (1)If I install a remote it will probably be the Hunter. I put one in last year and it is an excellent unit. Don't particularly care for the light dimmer reverting to "bright" each time the light is turned on (would prefer that it stay at previous setting) but otherwise we like everything about it, particularly the "mount to the wall switch " bracket.
(2) Am considering wall control which may be the we we go.
(3) Fan does not include light at present time and my wife says that's the way she wants it. I suspect that position might change so am keeping options open but, as of now, no light (until she changes my mind).

Thanks again for your help and insight.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Let me know how it works out. Good job keeping the vintage fan!

[CHUCKLE]

Let me know how it works out. Good job keeping the vintage fan!

I finally quit whining and jumped on fan installation. I was stalling to avoid dealing with reinforcing ceiling box which I was going to have to do from below. It turned out to be a non-event.
(1) Surprise! Electrical box was installed and wired to accommodate ceiling fan. Entire task took less than 1/2 hour - not counting time spent trucking tools & ladder up & down basement stairs.
(2) Fan looks/runs good. Essentially silent except for sound of blades in air.
(3) Remote control became moot question. The fan works from wall switch. Pull chain is accessible (barely) but, given fan size (56"), there isn't much need for speed variation. My wife is happy with the new crystal pull so - - -
(4) Time to quit while I'm ahead.

Thanks for inputs/advice.

[CHUCKLE]

I finally quit whining and jumped on fan installation. I was stalling to avoid dealing with reinforcing ceiling box which I was going to have to do from below. It turned out to be a non-event.

(2) Fan looks/runs good. Essentially silent except for sound of blades in air.


Thanks for inputs/advice.

One more thing I should add to this. As I said in my first post, we removed this fan from our last home and it's been in a cardboard box in the basement for the past 10+ years. Fortunately, when I took it down I did think to package the blades in the exact pairing that they were taken down. When I dug the thing out I remembered that and installed them in the original configuration - - no balance problems. Not a big deal but it saved time/aggravation.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Good job!