What makes ceiling fan remotes break?
charles3
| Posted in Green Products and Materials on
About 10 years ago, somebody at the Florida Solar Energy Center was involved with the design of the Windward III ceiling fan, which at the time was the most efficient fan money could buy. Due I think to the variable blade pitch. I installed a couple of them and now one of their remotes no longer functions. What causes this and is it repairable?
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Replies
Charles,
I don't know why they break. Nothing is repairable in the U.S. anymore. (The poorer the country, the better the repair shops. Maybe you can take the remote to Honduras or Somalia for repair.)
I have three ways to fix a remote:
1. Bang it against my palm.
2. If that doesn't work, open it up and wiggle the batteries.
3. If that doesn't work, replace the batteries.
I assume that you have already tried these three repair methods?
Yes indeed, Martin. When I replaced the batteries, it briefly functioned but then went dead again. Unfortunately Home Depot (the sole source for the fans) says replacement remotes are unavailable, and the fan is completely dependent on it.
Replacement remotes are generally available - I would not rely on the guy at home depot. I would call Hampton Bay with your model & serial #. (printed on top of the motor housing). Keep in mind It could be the remote receiver that has failed (usually in the housing against the ceiling. If these parts are not replaceable, you can probably replace the remote and the receiver combination.
Also, a common failure is corrosion of the security dip switches on either the remote or the receiver. Carefully slide each one back and forth and make sure they match when you are done.