Turning off ceiling fan without string or switch?

Keith_R · 05-22-2007, 07:23 AM

Hey all, the string to our living room ceiling fan broke last night and now the fan is continuously running.

Unfortunately, this fan is controlled only by a string and does not have its own switch on the wall by which to turn it off. I've looked briefly in our circuit breaker box and did not see a separate circuit for the fan, I've also checked the actual fan to see if there may be a switch on there to turn it off but no luck.

We do not need this fan on all the time, it is simply going to waste energy. Is there anyway that can shut this thing off until we fix it or replace it?

DaveF · 05-22-2007, 08:22 AM

It should be on the same circuit as its light (and the rest of the room, likely).

Any chance this fan has a remote control, like many recent fans? But with the fan off and unpowered, you can hopefully replace the pull chain / string.

drobbins · 05-22-2007, 08:24 AM

Does the fan have a light controlled with a light switch? If you are handy with electrical wiring, you could connect the fan power wire with the light power wire and they will both be controlled by the light switch. If there is no light and/or you are not handy, enjoy the breeze.
I leave ceiling fans running all the time at the house. If they are on low, they actually help even out the house temperature and work with your heat and AC. I don't think they use that much energy.

Henry Gale · 05-22-2007, 08:32 AM

You'll just have to flip breakers until you find the one that controls the fan.
Where exactly did the string break?
Typically the fans have a pull chain switch; high, medium, low, off.
If you end up having to replace that switch (Home Depot or Lowes) you will certainly want to assure that the juice is off to that ceiling fixture.

Mary M S · 05-22-2007, 08:34 AM

Throw your breaker (off.)
Unscrew the bottom cap (housing) where the pull chain exits.
If your lucky a bit will remain inside the housing.
Pull it with tweasers to cycle the fan permantely 'off' till it can be repaired or replaced.

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Keith_R · 05-22-2007, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the help. I was able to track down the circuit breaker for the fan and shut it off as a tem porary solution until we either fix it or replace it. Apparently the circuit was there the entire time except that it was crudely written in poor handwriting. How hard would this thing be to fix?

mylan · 05-22-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_R

How hard would this thing be to fix?

The pull chain? Not hard at all, first try to pull what chain you have out of the hole with a pair of pliers or tweezers (with the breaker off) and buy a longer chain and re-attach. It is the same chain used for dog tags with the beads. If it is behind the housing, remove the screws to get to it. If there is a light kit attached you may need a second person to hold that up because the light will weigh down the housing.

betooz · 05-22-2007, 04:59 PM

Another alternative would be turning it into a remote controlled fan. This would require installing a control module inside the fan and some basic rewiring. Lowes carries a kit for about $50. I believe they are brand specific. I don't think you need to install the wall mount control to use the remote. Just add in the www dot

lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=103189-1811-RCD103L&lpage=none

BrianW · 05-22-2007, 10:12 PM

If the remaining length of chain on the existing switch is too short to attach anything to, the switch itself is replaceable. You can get them at Lowe's and Home Depot. They come with instructions and aren't difficult to replace.

Just be sure the breaker is off when you do it.