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Started By
Message
OB electricians- adding "a wire" to an existing system
Posted on 6/10/16 at 3:42 pm
Posted on 6/10/16 at 3:42 pm
need some insight here from those of you familiar with the craft. I have three ceiling fans in my barn. The existing setup only allows for fan operation in one direction (reverse/updraft). I'm being told that to make the fans bidirectional, I'd need to "add a wire". WTF does that even mean? Old fans used to blow down only. Now they blow up/reverse only. I want the MFers to blow up and down just like normal fans should. Is current electrician FOS or being honest? Fans operate off of single variable speed controller. Reverse/forward control is located on the variable speed controller (not on the individual fans themselves like some indoor fans).
Posted on 6/10/16 at 3:53 pm to tigerinthebueche
I'm pretty sure the reverse rotation is a option on the newer fans like you mentioned. Gonna need to replace the fans to have that option, not add a wire...
Posted on 6/10/16 at 3:56 pm to tigerinthebueche
New fans are normally pretty cheap...
Posted on 6/10/16 at 3:58 pm to tigerinthebueche
Been doing this for 20 plus years. If they don't have that option on the fan then you need new fans.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 4:03 pm to tigerinthebueche
I would think he could be correct IF the fans are actually set up for both. It would mean the original wiring was done by someone not interested in the down draft motion.
Of course the control could be a standard one that is set up for both even if the fans aren't.
Get the name, model number and any other info off the fans and research or call the manufacturer and see how they are set up.
Of course the control could be a standard one that is set up for both even if the fans aren't.
Get the name, model number and any other info off the fans and research or call the manufacturer and see how they are set up.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 4:23 pm to QuietTiger
quote:
IF the fans are actually set up for both.
they are. Thanks for the tip. I'll get in touch with J&D mfg.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 4:37 pm to tigerinthebueche
quote:quote:
IF the fans are actually set up for both.
they are. Thanks for the tip. I'll get in touch with J&D mfg.
Is there not a switch on the fan? I assume you are trying to figure out how to make the fwd/rev function from the wall rather than the fan itself. A word of caution, attempting to reverse the direction while the fan is running is not advisable and may destroy your fan.
Also, some older fans used to rely on manually reversing the fan blade pitch rather than the direction of rotation. Very inconvenient and probably not common at all these days.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 4:39 pm to tigerinthebueche
You may also be able to get an add on to your fan to add a remote control that may allow you to reverse the flow.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 5:49 pm to Cajun Invasion
quote:
the reverse rotation is a option on the newer fans like you mentioned. Gonna need to replace the fans to have that option, not add a wire...
Posted on 6/10/16 at 6:08 pm to mdomingue
quote:
Is there not a switch on the fan
Per the MFG. If I remove the bell housing over each individual motor, there is a switch that changes the direction of the fan. It is not on the motor housing like it is on some indoor ceiling fans. Fans only run in reverse at present regardless of what I do at the controller. I'll go shut them off and monkey with that switch. I'm either going to fix it or frick it up and need new fans. Either way the problem will be solved.
Appreciate all the insight guys.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 6:18 pm to tigerinthebueche
quote:
tigerinthebueche
Good luck.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 7:05 pm to tigerinthebueche
You cannot change the polarity by adding a wire with AC. Buy new fans
Posted on 6/11/16 at 1:57 am to jorconalx
quote:
You cannot change the polarity by adding a wire with AC. Buy new fans
By virtue of being AC there is no polarity, the direction a AC motor turns is determined by how the phase shift provided by the starter capacitor is applied to the motor windings. To allow the wiring of the starter capacitor to be reversed and change the direction of rotation from a external switch typically takes 4 wires, I am assuming there are already three.
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