Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 2Feb 04, 2014 9:36 am I'd go into your local electrical supply place and ask one of the staff there. I'm pretty sure either Clipsal or HPM still make the old sort. Stewie Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 3Feb 05, 2014 10:19 am I'm with you, my in laws have one similar and you just twiddle it round for ages working out where off is. If all else fails you could alway modify the existing knob slightly by making some kind of mark in it or on it to indicate the OFF position. A very crude way would be to get a soldering iron and just touch the hot iron to the plastic for a moment to melt a small dent in it. I'm sure there are other, much less crude ways of doing something though, maybe a small embossed sticker/braille sticker. Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 4Feb 05, 2014 10:57 am Oh ugbug I'm so glad it's not just me! Hahaha. What on earth possessed fan makers to think this was a good idea??? Grmph. Yes I think we will definitely need to at least mark the "active position" (another rant - the active position isn't even marked for heavens sake, and in our rental one fan's active position is the bottom of the knob, and some fans it's the top of the knob). I had considered whether I could somehow stop the knob rotating both ways myself but I think that's beyond my skill level hehehe. Stewie - I'd like to do that. I'm not sure what an "electrical supply place" is though?? All I can think of is Bunnings or Masters or something....? Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 5Feb 05, 2014 10:58 am ugbug a little dot sticker or something for the off position is a great idea, thanks! Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 6Feb 05, 2014 11:51 am This is a funny one - never occurred to me. Our switches are either way. But - we rarely have them above setting one. So I know turning it back will be off - even in the dark. One thing we were told - to help keep the fan going longer. Always turn it on at 3 - then back to one - not just to one - first. It is argued this helps with the power to fan ratio. I don't know if this is true but a few fan "experts" have said it helps the fan to last longer ... I mean turn the switch to 3 when you turn it on - then on to one. Not straight to one. Maybe that's why you can turn them either way ? Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 7Feb 05, 2014 12:05 pm I knew with the old fans it was better to turn them on to "high" first. Someone explained to me it was like starting a car in a low (powerful gear) rather than trying to start in 4th gear and putting too much strain on the engine. That's why they used to restrict you to use the highest speed first. Maybe the new fans don't need this? Who knows. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 8Feb 05, 2014 12:06 pm Saint Mike But - we rarely have them above setting one. So I know turning it back will be off - even in the dark. But this is my problem Mike - even if I know what setting it is on I can never remember whether I need to turn it clockwise or anticlockwise!! Especially since there are two varieties of fans in our house that seem to differ. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 9Feb 05, 2014 12:23 pm You could always get one of the fancy clipsal saturn 250V range switches, they have a blue led in them so you can see what you are doing in the dark: http://switchedon.clipsal.com/Article.aspx?aid=9 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 10Feb 05, 2014 12:31 pm you could get one of these (or similar) off of ebay and use just the knob: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ace-Cooper-Dual-Knob-Ceiling-Fan-Speed-Control-Light-Dimmer-Switch-White-/190904342676 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ this is good research for when I need to do the same Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 11Feb 05, 2014 12:44 pm Hmm that ebay knob is American and I'm not sure you could just transplant the knob - the "stopped" would be in the baseplate I imagine... and also it has 4 speeds, whereas my fan only has 3.. This is really all that I'm after (the fourth picture along): http://www.clipsal.com/trade/products/p ... 000_series But I don't know if it could be bought without a "capacitor" (whatever that is) or if it will work with my fan's current "capacitor" so it doesn't void the warranty. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 12Feb 05, 2014 12:52 pm Hmm have just called clipsal and the lovely man on the phone said he didn't think they could sell their wall plates without the capacitor attached, and he couldn't guarantee it would fit even if they DID sell it. So he's suggested I go check out an electrical wholesaler and actually take the current fan controller I have to show them. So I guess that's what I'll do in a month or so when I take possession of the fans! Hilarious the lengths we go to to get the details of our homes right. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 13Feb 05, 2014 3:16 pm This is a good reason to get remotes. Mine has five raised buttons and at night you just roll over in the dark and count the buttons with your finger, don't even have to get out of bed. Was it you who said that you didn't like them because you're forever changing the batteries? I had that problem in the last house so this time we brought the cheapest ones with no LCD screen and haven't changed a battery in just over two years. Love 'em. Regards, Grumbles Re: Changing a ceiling fan control knob? First world problem 14Feb 05, 2014 3:40 pm ugbug You could always get one of the fancy clipsal saturn 250V range switches, they have a blue led in them so you can see what you are doing in the dark: http://switchedon.clipsal.com/Article.aspx?aid=9 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Fan controller doesn't have the blue led ring, only the light switches / dimmers. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Both light and fan are on. ----------------------------------------------- http://pab34newdigs.blogspot.com.au/ ----------------------------------------------- Any electricians here please help. 1) Will the Fan need separate switch to ON/OFF/Speed eventhough it comes with Remote 2) how about… 0 1228 To my understanding early saw cuts are to control shrinkage cracks, so doing them now would be pointless. Control joints may reduce ugly cracking during periods of soil… 3 9863 Hi group, have some damage to the door frame and skirting board. It's a side door to the laundry area. Only has a security door. I had a termite inspection (note drill… 0 5059 |