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Modern ceiling fans suck

Posted on 12/16/24 at 8:55 am
Posted by TheLSUriot
Clear Lake, TX
Member since Oct 2007
1541 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 8:55 am
TLDR: Help me find a modern design patio rated fan/light combo that I can run with dual switches. A clean design between 50-60 inches and in the 3-400 dollar range. Can even be the prop blade style.

WTF is up with all the new ceiling fans? Looking to replace an Old Jacksonville fan/light combo on the patio. The finish was starting to flake off and the blades sagged. Wish I never trashed it now, after shopping for a replacement.
I like having separate wall switches for the light and fan. All the new fangled ones with DC motors, LED lights, and remote receivers don't allow for dual switch control. Are am I missing something here? Do I have to stick with models that have old style pull switches? Because those are hard to find and there aren't many options.
Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
86749 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 9:09 am to
Home Depot

I feel like there are too many fans that do what you want to do. am I missing something? why can't whatever fans you're looking at be wired with a dual switch configuration?
Posted by lsugrad35
Jambalaya capital of the world
Member since Feb 2007
3285 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 9:18 am to
I have remote controlled ones in 3 of my rooms. I wired all of them to two switches. One controls the fan and one controls the light. I only wired the fan to the remote so once I turn the switch on for the fan technically I can control the speed or turn the fan on/off with the remote. The light is wired directly though and can’t be controlled by the remote. I suppose you could do it the opposite way. But yes it’s possible.
Posted by TheLSUriot
Clear Lake, TX
Member since Oct 2007
1541 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 10:32 am to
If you walk into the fan section at Lowes or HD 90+% of the options are remote only. The few that have pull switches looked very dated in comparison, which is why I was asking about modern designs. The 3 blade prop design caught my eye.
That Hampton Bay design isn't too bad. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posted by Koolazzkat
Behind the Tupelo gum tree
Member since May 2021
2310 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 10:34 am to
You are correct sir.
Posted by TheLSUriot
Clear Lake, TX
Member since Oct 2007
1541 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 10:50 am to
I've checked dozens of instillation manuals of fans I liked. Most look like this. Yes, both example have fan and a light. I'm not sure how bypassing the receiver module plays out even when there is a noted blue wire on the other side like in the second image.

Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
86749 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 10:59 am to
quote:

If you walk into the fan section at Lowes or HD 90+% of the options are remote only


I understand your question better now. I just installed a 68" fan inside from HD. It is a remote control unit but can also be controlled by the switch. We didn't use the light kit for it since we have enough light between lamps and can lights, but we have dual switch wiring in place if we wanted to use it that I think would be compatible with my specific fan .

Their in store selection leaves a lot to be desired, I will say that. Would a universal wall switch that has sperate fan and light controls maybe be an option?

Posted by lsugrad35
Jambalaya capital of the world
Member since Feb 2007
3285 posts
Posted on 12/16/24 at 11:17 am to
It’s been a while, but I think this is what I used for reference (if I’m understanding your question/concern correctly). The manual didn’t have this wiring specifically, but I found it online and it worked.

Fan wiring
Posted by mdomingue
Lafayette, LA
Member since Nov 2010
37462 posts
Posted on 12/18/24 at 8:04 am to
It is fairly simple, the blue wire is power for the light, black is power for the fan, and white is neutral for both. I would be surprised if the instructions did not show a method to bypass the control box to allow you to wire it to replace an older fan with both a light and fan switch.

It would be easy enough to do even if it isn't in the instructions, the only caveat is whether it will affect any warranty.

ETA: lsugrad35 shows a way to wire it where you can use the remote to control either the light or the fan and the switch for the other if that is what you want. I was suggesting just bypassing the remote control unit altogether. But this will not work if you have a DC motor on your fan, I know some do now. If it is a DC motor you have no option but to use the remote module.
This post was edited on 12/18/24 at 8:16 am
Posted by LSUDad
Still on the move
Member since May 2004
60590 posts
Posted on 12/19/24 at 12:44 am to
I buy all my fans at Notoco. They sell Quorum fans. I've never found anything better. They make great outdoor fans.
Posted by TheLSUriot
Clear Lake, TX
Member since Oct 2007
1541 posts
Posted on 12/19/24 at 6:44 am to
quote:

I would be surprised if the instructions did not show a method to bypass the control box to allow you to wire it to replace an older fan with both a light and fan switch.
Then prepare to be surprised my friend. They are barely in legible English and use stock photos for multiple models whether it is accurate or not. Providing multiple wiring options ain't happening 95% of the time.

Out of 30+ manuals downloaded, only 1 had the secondary wiring option illustrated. It was a Hunter so I gave it a try but that didn't go well. Maybe there was an issue with that fan's internals because it would constantly reset and occasionally trip the breaker. Not worth it!

Thanks for all the help everyone! It cleared up some of my confusion. I am going with a traditional design replacement. Just won't be the look I was going for.
Posted by leftovergumbo
Member since May 2018
511 posts
Posted on 12/19/24 at 11:31 am to
quote:

One controls the fan and one controls the light. I only wired the fan to the remote so once I turn the switch on for the fan technically I can control the speed or turn the fan on/off with the remote.


I've done this before too. It's still annoying to use and I still end up losing the remote. I've gone back to buying dumb ceiling fans and won't consider anything with a remote or integrated LED light. It's not worth the headache for "modern" looks.
Posted by Jmcc64
alabama
Member since Apr 2021
1265 posts
Posted on 12/19/24 at 1:30 pm to
We have Quorum fans w/light in our house. 3-4 have run more or less continuously on low for the last 15 yrs.. (18 ft ceilings) However, one has slowed significantly in the last year. I've read on line that it could be a bad capacitor.
Posted by bee Rye
New orleans
Member since Jan 2006
34173 posts
Posted on 12/21/24 at 11:07 am to
quote:

I buy all my fans at Notoco.


No longer locally owned, you should switch stores

quote:

They sell Quorum fans


Low tier, apartment grade stuff for the most part
Posted by meeple
Carcassonne
Member since May 2011
10169 posts
Posted on 12/21/24 at 9:12 pm to
I have 3 hunters that have been running nonstop for almost 20 years straight. Only turn them off to clean.
Posted by billjamin
Houston
Member since Jun 2019
14938 posts
Posted on 12/21/24 at 9:34 pm to
Get OG Hunters if you really care about reliability. They’re expensive but that lifetime warranty is legit and they’re bullet proof if you take care of them.
This post was edited on 12/21/24 at 9:35 pm
Posted by TigerGman
Center of the Universe
Member since Sep 2006
12307 posts
Posted on 12/22/24 at 6:30 am to
Hunter all the way
Posted by Twenty 49
Shreveport
Member since Jun 2014
19976 posts
Posted on 12/22/24 at 6:59 am to
All the fans at Home Depot and Lowes seemed cheap. A friend recommended a locally owned Shreveport store, House of Carpets and Lighting, and they carried higher quality models, including one for the outdoor patio that hasn't drooped despite being out there for a few 100+ summers.

Maybe see if there is a similar store in your area.
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1818 posts
Posted on 12/22/24 at 10:14 am to
quote:

OG Hunters

This is the way.
Posted by meeple
Carcassonne
Member since May 2011
10169 posts
Posted on 12/22/24 at 11:05 pm to
quote:

t lifetime warranty is legit and they’re bullet proof if you take care of them.

What does this involve? My 3 hunters have run continuously for almost 20 years. We only turn them off to wipe the dust from the blades.
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