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    gvogler's Avatar
    gvogler Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 20, 2007, 08:29 AM
    Ceiling fan connection on a three way wall switch
    Hello: I am replacing a ceiling fan in the kitchen that was operated by a chain for the fan speeds and another chain that allowed you to turn on/off the light on the fan or you could turn off the fan and fan light altogether. The power to the fan was switched on by two wall switches on opposite sides of the kitchen. Also, either wall switch when turned on/off operated a ceiling kitchen light over the sink. The new fan which is called a "Viper" has a transistor control box that controls the speed and light on the fan and would replace one of the wall switches. It has two black wires and one green wire. Of course the fan is now "up" but I'm not sure how to make the connection to the fan. Which wall switch would I use? One wall switch is a double switch, one to operate the fan and light over the sink and the other to operate the light in the basement hall. The other wall switch just operates the fan and light over the sink. A friend who is helping me with the fan thinks we are missing a wire... says the hot wire is in one switch and the connector wire is in the other and were stuck. Can you help me with the information I just gave you above? Thanks, Gary
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #2

    Jul 21, 2007, 09:45 AM
    Ok, so the switch that controls the ceiling fan also controls the light over the sink?

    In the box in the ceiling where you wired the fan, how many wires are there?

    This is a little tricky.
    gvogler's Avatar
    gvogler Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jul 26, 2007, 01:05 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by gvogler
    Hello: I am replacing a ceiling fan in the kitchen that was operated by a chain for the fan speeds and another chain that allowed you to turn on/off the light on the fan or you could turn off the fan and fan light alltogether. The power to the fan was switched on by two wall switches on opposite sides of the kitchen. Also, either wall switch when turned on/off operated a ceiling kitchen light over the sink. The new fan which is called a "Viper" has a transistor control box that controls the speed and light on the fan and would replace one of the wall switches. It has two black wires and one green wire. Of course the fan is now "up" but I'm not sure how to make the connection to the fan. Which wall switch would I use? One wall switch is a double switch, one to operate the fan and light over the sink and the other to operate the light in the basement hall. The other wall switch just operates the fan and light over the sink. A friend who is helping me with the fan thinks we are missing a wire...says the hot wire is in one switch and the connector wire is in the other and were stuck. Can you help me with the information I just gave you above? Thanks, Gary
    Thank you for responding... the wiring in the box above the fan has 6 wires, 3 white and 3 black and yes, the switch on the walls controls both the fan and the light over the sink.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #4

    Jul 26, 2007, 01:45 PM
    If your control for new fan, needs constant power, and no switch. Then:
    1) Leave switches alone, and light over sink.
    3) Cap off wire at fan that used to be 3 way switched.
    4) Connect Fan to wire in fan box that is constant hot.(If not this won't work)
    5) If you do find constant hot, verify it is not traveller, by testing 3 way in other position.
    (The 3 way that has hot on black screw, with switch tried in both positions)
    Or just try the 4 possible switch combinations, Not basement switch.

    "A friend who is helping me with the fan thinks we are missing a wire...says the hot wire is in one switch and the connector wire is in the other and were stuck. Can you help me with the information I just gave you above? Thanks, Gary"

    On three way switching the hot will be at 1 three way switch, and the other switch goes up to and suppies power to fan, those will connect to dark screw on each three way.
    The 2 silver colored screws of 1 three way connect to 2 silver screws on other three way.
    This way light fan will be remote controlled, and sink light will be on 3 way. Randy
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #5

    Jul 27, 2007, 12:50 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by gvogler
    Thank you for responding...the wiring in the box above the fan has 6 wires, 3 white and 3 black and yes, the switch on the walls controls both the fan and the light over the sink.
    How are those wires connected, and how was the previous light fixture connected to them?
    gvogler's Avatar
    gvogler Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jul 30, 2007, 08:55 AM
    Well, we reconnected the wiring back to where it was originally and bought a remote for the fan and fan light and discarded the wall remote. The only problem I have now is when I need the power to the fan, the light over the sink remains on. So, I went to a lighting store and bought a fixture with a pull string for the light over the sink so now I'll be able to turn on/off the sink light with the string/chain while running the fan or fan light. Sound about right?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #7

    Jul 30, 2007, 09:29 AM
    If you have constant hot at fan location, connect fan to there. That way sink light will work with 3 way. And fan will work with remote.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #8

    Jul 30, 2007, 12:35 PM
    It sounds right, but there should be an easier way to do it.
    What wires are in the ceiling box for the fan, and how are they connected?
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