Electrical and/or Smart Home Help

[jonumberone]

When I'm finished smoking downstairs in my lounge I like to leave the fan on for another 15 min or so to continue to clear the smoke.
I'm looking for a way to remotely control the fan, so I don't have to go up and down the stairs to shut it off. Using a voice command through Amazon Echo would be even better.

This is my fan (http://www.fantech.net/products/fans--accessories/circular-duct-fans/circular-duct-fans-with-ac-motors/prio-ac/prioair-8-inline-duct-fan/)

And this is the switch (http://www.supplyhouse.com/Fantech-WC15-WC-Series-Variable-Speed-Control-with-On-Off-Switch-5A) I'm currently using

The whole Solid State controller is what's throwing me off. I can't seem to wrap my head around what it means.

My question is would I be able to use this (https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Z-Wave-3-Speed-Wireless-Rocker-Fan-Controls-Includes-White-and-Almond-Rockers/50353792) switch to control my fan?
I am willing to sacrifice the adjustable range to have remote access.
I figure 3 speeds will serve my purposes just fine.
If there's another switch that will work better, please let me know. it just needs to be compatible with Samsung Smartthings hub.

Thanks in advance.

[markem]

Dom,

Have you considered this smart outlet from Samsung?
http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-home/smartthings/outlets/s/_/n-10+11+hv1x9+zq22x

It will NOT deal with the variable speed. However you can turn it on/off. Just put the current switch into a small box and then run the house size to a standard plug. Replace a wall outlet with the smart outlet (you could replace at the old switch location but it is likely up on the wall and highly visible).

What you really want is something like a smart dimmer switch but one that works as the voltages you require. Here are some ideas from the smart home web site.http://www.smarthome.com/lights-appliances/switches/dimmer-switches.html

As long as your house controller supports the standard (call smart home) then your phone can control them. But call to make sure.

Note that I do not buy from these guys. I ask them all my questions and then buy through Best Buy because I can return opened packages to Best Buy if it doesn't work.

Best of luck, my friend. I'm anxious to see what advice you get.

[Tio Gato]

Hi Dom. I'd call Fantech and ask.:2
I know that's no answer but I think you want to make sure they're safely compatible. :2
Thanks for posting this. I have some ceiling fans that I have to climb on the bed to pull the tiny speed chain.:tu

[jonumberone]

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure I understand, Mark.

Are you suggesting replacing the switch I listed with a smart outlet? Or are you suggesting I rewire the fan so that instead of being hardwired it plugs into a smart outlet?

Here's a look at the fan and the junction box if that helps anyone.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/jonumberone/Mobile%20Uploads/20170116_124340_zpsox0mmzys.jpg

[AdamJoshua]

I know someone that did something similar, this is what he used.

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Control-Z-Wave-12730-Amazon/dp/B00PYMGVVQ

Edit, this was for actually replacing the variable switch though.

[jonumberone]

Hi Dom. I'd call Fantech and ask.:2
I know that's no answer but I think you want to make sure they're safely compatible. :2
Thanks for posting this. I have some ceiling fans that I have to climb on the bed to pull the tiny speed chain.:tu

I did, Jeff. They were the ones that told me I needed to use the solid state controller. All that they could tell me was that they didn't make a smart controller and they had no idea if anybody else did or didn't.
I simply don't understand what solid state is all about, or if the GE switch I posted is solid state or not. I'm assuming, based on Mark's response, it isn't.

[markem]

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure I understand, Mark.

Are you suggesting replacing the switch I listed with a smart outlet? Or are you suggesting I rewire the fan so that instead of being hardwired it plugs into a smart outlet?


Here is what I am thinking.

The current switch that controls the fan has multiple "speeds" which likely is just voltage. If you can find a smart switch that is able to produce the same output voltages then you can replace the switch with a smart switch.

If you cannot replace the switch with a smart switch then you may be able to use a smart wall outlet. I'm guessing that your fan is wired direct to the switch and not plugged in to an outlet? If so, then maybe my idea won't work (always ask an electrician) but you might be able to rewire the connection to the fan so that it goes through a smart outlet. The smart outlet can be turned on/off ONLY. If the current switch is placed upstream of the smart outlet (that is, outlet between switch and fan) then you would still use the existing switch and just remotely turn the outlet on or off.

Is there someplace local to you where they have knowledgeable people to talk this through with? Home Depot or Lowes might be a place to start.

As was suggested, call the fan manufacturer for the simple reason that it is unlikely that you are the first person to want to do this.

[jonumberone]

After spending the bulk of the day online looking for a solid state fan controller that I can connect through Smartthings, I've come to the conclusion that they don't exist. Or, if they do exist, they aren't clearly labeled/described as solid state.
I have a better understanding of solid state fans now, but not enough to understand what differentiates one switch from another. If it's not clearly laid out, I'm not interested in risking my fan to find a switching solution.

I made a second call to Fantech just to be sure it would be safe for the fan if I powered it via a plug vs hardwired. Just as I thought, there is no issue with it, so that's the route I'm going to go.
I plan to install this (https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Z-Wave-15-Amp-120-Volt-White-Wireless-Duplex-Electrical-Outlet/50329997) smart outlet and plug the fan into it. I should still be able to use the switch to control the speed.
I'll update this after I get it done and let you know how it works.

Thanks for the help.

[jonumberone]

Outlet installed and it works great.
Remote access via my phone, and on/off voice control with Amazon Echo.
I couldn't be happier.

Here's what it looks like now.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/jonumberone/Mobile%20Uploads/20170117_100807_zpswqvcyzt3.jpg

Thanks, Mark and to the others that chimed in.

[markem]

Congrats!

[shilala]

They want you to use a solid state switch because of the fan load, and because none of the relay switching smart switches offer any kind of timedown operations.
If I understand what you want to do, you want to have a 3 speed adjusting switch that times out and shuts off 15 minutes after you give it the command to shut off?
Not gonna happen, brother. That's too much for a wall switch to do, and so precise it'd never make it to manufacture.

What you CAN do is wire a smart switch in circuit AFTER a sensing proximity switch.
This way you'd walk in the eroom and the lights would come on automatically.
The smart switch would be powered.
Then you can say "Alexa, turn on the fan".
When you leave, you've set the proximity switch to shut off after 15 minutes of inactivity, so it'll power down your lights and fan automatically.

I don't know how you already control the fan speed and didn't look at your links, but I will now to see if any of it changes that approach. :tu

[shilala]

And there ya have it. A day late and a dollar short. :lr
I didn't even think as far as an outlet yet.
And I'm gonna look at the specs on that 3 position rocker switch. I might be able to use that in my shop at a later date, but I don't think it'll hack the duty or load.
I just want to see if it's SS or relay-switching, really. The relay-switching switches in my shop are junk. I beat on them with a log to get the contacts unstuck. :D

[massphatness]

After spending the bulk of the day online looking for a solid state fan controller that I can connect through Smartthings, I've come to the conclusion that they don't exist. Or, if they do exist, they aren't clearly labeled/described as solid state.

If only you had a friend that was a union electrician ...

Glad you got it worked out.

[cort]

Why didn't you call me? What a weenie
You went the best route IMO. Simple and affordable.
You could have gone and got your self a fancy set of solid state contacts for a few hundred bucks and rigged it to a variable speed switch but it would be way over kill. Scott nailed it on the with the technical details.

Glad you're happy with it!

[BigAsh]

If only you had a friend that was a union electrician ...

Glad you got it worked out.

:r now when my eyes get a little red all I gotta do is ask Alexa...nice!