[Kath77]

Hello all! I've been wrestling with this for a while, any help is appreciated!

I have two lights wired in series controlled by a single wall switch. I recently replaced one of the lights with a dual fan/light combination that is controlled with a remote. It works great!

The problem is, to keep the fan hot all the time (wall switch ON) would mean the other ceiling light is on all the time. So far I've just removed the bulb, but I would like an ultimate fix if possible.

A great theoretical option:
1) Can you use an aftermarket receiver so that when I hit the "light ON/OFF" button on the existing fan remote, it will turn on/off both the ceiling fan light AND the other ceiling light?
I tried a basic universal ceiling fan receiver (testing the white and blue wires for power after hitting the light button set to the same code as my Fan that I installed) but no dice. Only the ceiling fan light came on and I didn't pick up any juice from the Blue/White wires from the Aftermarket receiver (that go to the light).

Make sense?
Any help? I really can't re wire the ceiling, so that's not an option :(

[ballengerb1]

Let me start with a minor correction, lights in series would only burn half as bright, correct term is parallel, but I know you just mean they are on the same line. I see 2 choices 1. pull additional wire to the fan so it can have its own black/white/ground or 2. buy an additional fan receiver and transmiter (universal) and install the receiver in the ceiling light box. A great deal depends on what was used to wire your home. If its cable go buy the transmiter/receiver. If its conduit then pull new ires.

[hkstroud]

Not to be to technical but the lights are in parallel not in a series. Connect the hot wire going to the second light fixture to the remote just like you connected the light fixture of the fan/light.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Harold's response is correct, but it might get confusing depending on how the wiring is in the ceiling.

How did you hook up the second receiver? It should have worked if I understand correctly.

[Kath77]

Oops, sorry for being confusing. I'm definitely not an electrician!

The receiver/remote kit I bought for the ceiling light has a black and white AC in on one side, and then a blue wire (light), black wire (motor) and white wire (motor) on the other side of the receiver.

I set the DIP switches to the same setting as my current remote control (for the installed ceiling fan) as I'm hoping to only need one remote to control both lights

I connected black/white AC IN to the ceiling light box. Then I tested for power at the blue and white wires with a basic current detector as I pressed the "light on" button of my existing remote. No current.
I also tried the remote included in the kit to see if the two remotes were incompatible (or something) and it didn't work either

I assume I'm going to wire the black wire of the new ceiling light to the blue wire of the receiver, and white to white while leaving the black "fan motor" wire capped.

I didn't want to mount the entire light before finding out if this was going to work, but maybe I didn't test appropriately?

[hkstroud]

Now you have me confused. I thought you said you had it working except you could not turn off the second light.

[ceilingfanrepair]

1. I would try it with a light bulb, not a current tester, since remotes are funny.

2. I would try to get it working with it's included remote (MUST be set to the same frequency as the receiver) before trying to match the two remotes.

[Kath77]

Sorry guys, I'm obviously really bad at explaining this!

I had two ceiling lights (A and B) controlled with one switch.

I replaced ceiling light B with a fan/light combo that is controlled by remote (remoteB). This works fine

In order to keep power to the fan 24/7 so I can control it with the remote only, I have to leave the wall switch on, but this means that ceiling light A is on all the time. So I was hoping to add ANOTHER RF receiver kit (aftermarket "add remote control to your existing ceiling fan" kit) to ceiling light A so that when I use the original remote (remote B) it will turn on/off the current ceiling fan light, and the second ceiling light (A)

[Kath77]

Ceilingrepairfan you're my hero! The light worked! I have no idea why the current detector didn't work.. but I really don't care :)

Now the last question is why won't the two receivers respond to the same remote? I have the DIP settings exactly the same but each remote will only control their respective lights... thoughts?

You guys rock!

[ceilingfanrepair]

Probably they were made to different sets of frequencies. You can try a different remote/receiver kit, or just live with it the way it is.

And, I am everyone's hero.