Casablanca Ceiling Fan

I've seen no replies to this message from 9/5 so am re-posting it in hopes someone in the newsgroup can venture a guess on how this fan/light control circuit works given only two wires to both the fan and 3-button controller...

I've given it a little more thought and come to the conclusion that the return signal path may be through the steel screws connecting the fan and switch controller to the mounting boxes via earth ground. I still have no idea of what is inside the controller unit since it is "sealed", but the "receiver" inside the fan has two circuit boards with several transistors, diodes, caps, triacs, etc.

Bob

That would be a code violation. I suspect it uses a carrier system - similar to X-10 perhaps?

Hi,

Better late than never. I just took mine apart. Same control (three switches as you described). There are basic active components in the control. I assume when the fan and light are off there is still voltage across the control's terminals (assuming the main switch is on). That's the power source for the control. Also I'm reminded of a tv in standby or "off" as long as it is still plugged in. There must be a leg parallel to the fan motor and light(s) -the main load- that keeps the control circuitry alive. The black w/ stripe wire between the fan and control is not really a hot leg of the mains, but part of the control circuitry, such that the wall control is an extension of the control circuit in the main unit (so much for overstating the obvious). The main component in the wall control appears to be a triac in series with the load, but I suspect it is only used to temporarily "modulate" the line voltage as a means of communicating with the rest of the control circuitry in the fan housing. It's not sophisticated and appears to only encode switch position logic by way of modifying the duty cycle of the main power (slightly? - I didn't scope it) - only while the momentary buttons are being depressed. There is a very limited number of functions in this simple control and almost half of them are merely created by a delayed hold on the momentary switch which does not require anything additional in the wall control to convey. I could bore you with more speculation but.....it's old technology. The new stuff all uses RF for this multifunction type of fan/light control. They add a few more functions as well, which is nice. BTW you can purchase a conversion kit to upgrade to the new controls. No-I'm not advertising here and not affiliated. This level of control is what Casablanca calls inteli-touch (now and back then) and it would seem that they require their specific top end motor to use (like you have). I just happen to have one of these old ones and got my upgrade information from browsing the web (outside of the insight I may or may not have into how they work). I will assume X10 is a little more complicated (and costs more) as per the other response to your question. I don't know if I will be upgrading my controls because the motor bearings are shot, the main control power device shows signs of overheating, and one of the momentary switches on the control isn't momentary any more. In 1984 they did not have a lifetime warranty on the top motor. That started in 87 or so. So basically everything but the housing/hardware, fan blades and light fixture needs replaced. But it's the "20th Century" model/design which I can't see being made anymore. The housing has very detailed castings with a lot of what I suppose is called filigree all around, top, and bottom. I suppose it's worth it . Flat rate is at 140 for the repair but I don't think that will include the conversion which will be needed. Oh yeah I had to do the light control solder joint repair a while back too.

Scott

"Bob Shuman" wrote in message news:KcgLg.21218$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...