Thread: Ceiling fan speed controller swap ???

You can get different controllers but a new fan starts at about 50 - 70 bucks or a bit more, also you have to be a licensed electrician to install it. Now I'm not on the make electricians more money band wagon but I do go over the statistics of electrical fatalities every year with my apprentices, to many people die every year from electrocution including electricians.

To tell you the truth I think it is a false economy to put a new controller on an old fan. It isnt quite like putting a new engine in an old car, but the same principles still apply every thing else old and a big new bit.

Blythe

Thanks Blythe. He is the sort of person that will want the best fan for the job so doesn't want to whack in a $50 unit for any length of time. Would rather wait until he can afford the good stuff.

I guess it depends on what the new controller actually costs. I haven't a clue.
Also do you know why people say you can't just use any controller it has to be the right one etc?

I have only once ever had an electrician do anything. I bought a new hotplate and when removing the old one I was unsure about something I found on the old one. So I got an electrician to install the new one (he lives in our street but I don't know him). He just cut the unknown device out and wired the new plate in like I was going to do. Live and learn but best to play it safe.

As for electrical deaths, I am not an electrician but have been around electrical (both DC and household/industrial AC) for my entire life. I have always done my own electrical work and have always been a technical person. Comes from my dad being a hands on engineer and taking me on jobs from a young age.
So I have no qualms about doing it myself.

Assuming its the controller thats humming, and the motors are ok, then a new controller is 15-20$ at bunnings, possibly cheaper at a wholesalers...

Some fans don't like the infinitely variable controllers, ie often used in dimming. So check what your replacing.

Cheers!

it depends on how the fan motor is set up as to what fan speed controller you need, the older "buzzing" style are the inductive type, newer ones use a capacitive type controller......