I have a Lasko Wind Machine floor fan. It has a mechanical switch with three speeds. Is there a Zigbee or z-wave device that I could plug the fan cord into, that would allow Hubitat to control the speed of the fan?
I haven’t seen a plugin device to control a fan. If you are handy you could buy a double gang box and install a GE/Jasco wall fan switch and a receptacle in it. Cut the end off a 3 prong power cord and use that as line to the switch and load from switch would go to the receptacle in the same double gang. Then set your fan on high speed and plug it into this receptacle.
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I was thinking something along the same lines last night but my ideas were too much of a hack to suggest. Your idea sounds the safest and cleanest vs what I had in my head.
Basically you are making a fan speed adjuster extension cord.
You could also use a single gang box for just the switch and cut a short 3-wire extension cord in half. Wire the male plug end to the line, and the female end to the load, with the box in the middle somewhere acting as the speed control adjustment.
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I am planning to do the same thing. Is there a plug in module that allows for fan control. I have been looking but haven’t found anything yet. I am fine with cutting the cord but for my application it would be easier to pass the cord through the wall and just plug it in. I don’t need the local control of a switch.
Still don’t exist and to be honest with more manufacturers making DC motor fans most of the current smart fan controllers are becoming outdated. My advice above would still apply.
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I suspect that if you could disassemble the fan, or if you could see a wire diagram of this fan, it would have 3 separate windings, one for each fan speed.
This talks about fan repair, but you can see the speed switch, the various windings, and a wire diagram in this article. https://www.instructables.com/FAN-repair/ In my experience, that is how many fans work, at least the ones with a mechanical speed knob and not electronic/smart controls.
Usually it isn't a great idea to vary the voltage to a fan on the high speed winding, you will probably burn out the motor doing that long-term.
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Ops. So how this is working for the ac ceiling fans with pull-chain 3-speed control?
I purchased a Jasco Fan Switch and it works well. I wasn't planning to have local control on the fan but I will plan on putting a box in the wall and mounting the switch so there is local on and off control. Thanks for the advice.
