override switch and fan speed control

[iron]

i just had my new northstar fireplace installed 2 days ago.

the fireplace comes with an override switch and speed control for the fan. rather than using the 2 separate switches to control the fan and the override (see attached picture from install manual), i was wondering if it was possible to use a single box in the wall with a product like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-S...Speed-Fan-Control-White-CTFSQ-FH-WH/202791258

the installed contacted the MFR and they said to use the original supplied 2 switch system - of course. curious if anyone has tried the single switch route.

thanks

 

[begreen]

I don't think so. It looks like a fan and light switch might work if the light switch is single pole and not a dimmer.

Also, that is a 3-way switch, only single pole is needed

 

[iamlucky13]

Just to be clear, having 3-way switch isn't an issue. It just has an extra screw you leave disconnected.

How the Lutron unit controls fan speed might be an issue, however. There's a couple ways to control motor speeds, and a couple different types of motors, and while I don't know enough about them to tell which can be used with which, I do know that not all of them are compatible.

 

[electrathon]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-S...and-Light-Control-White-SFSQ-LFH-WH/100399014
This switch will do what you want. It is a fan speed and light switch. You can wire it just like the diagram, it will just take one space instead of two in the box.

 

[iron]

awesome. thanks for that link. we'll get 'er wired up this weekend and see what happens!

 

[realstihl]

You can also use a toggle switch that is single pole double throw. SPDT switch with center off. Just thought i'd throw that in as another option.

 

[iamlucky13]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-S...and-Light-Control-White-SFSQ-LFH-WH/100399014
This switch will do what you want. It is a fan speed and light switch. You can wire it just like the diagram, it will just take one space instead of two in the box.

Aside from being single pole, that controller doesn't seem to be any different than the first one.

I'm not saying for certain neither will work, but without somebody offering a justification for being confident that type of controller is compatible with the motor used in his blower, I don't really suggest experimenting.

 

[electrathon]

Aside from being single pole, that controller doesn't seem to be any different than the first one.

I'm not saying for certain neither will work, but without somebody offering a justification for being confident that type of controller is compatible with the motor used in his blower, I don't really suggest experimenting.

Way different. The first switch has a speed control for the fan and a switch to turn the fan of and on quickly. The second one has a fan control and a light switch. The light switch would be wired to replace the thermal switch (as an override) and the fan switch would replace the speed control switch. A ceiling fan is a motor, a wood stove fan is a motor, the only real consideration is the amperage draw of both.

 

[mminor]

Thanks Electrathon! I will purchase this switch as well.

Iron - please continue to let us know how you're Northstar installation progresses.

Matt

 

[iron]

will do. i plan to put up a new post next week after the stone work goes up. i've had 2 break in fires so far and no issues. i can tell already that this fireplace will be a great distraction for me from our other house remodeling projects!

 

[mminor]

Congrats on your Northstar Iron! It has to be exciting seeing such a gorgeous fireplace in action!

I can't wait for your further updates.

Matt

 

[Benchwrench]

Why not add a thermal contact switch to turn it all on and off for you?

 

[electrathon]

Why not add a thermal contact switch to turn it all on and off for you?

The thermal switch in the system does turn the fan on, the manual switch forces the fan on even if the stove is cool, the speed switch slows it down to keep things quieter if you do not want to listen to it or you want less heat off the stove.

 

[iron]

so i installed the switch recommended.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-S...and-Light-Control-White-SFSQ-LFH-WH/100399014

it works, kind of. it allows me to turn the fan on, but it appears to be on 100% speed. my friend that helped with other wiring said that i should be able to use the fan speed control slider only after the snap disc on the fireplace turns on the fan. the reason is that there is only 1 black wire in the switch, whereas i need 2, similar to the electrical diagram of the northstar.

so, we're going to look for another switch to see if we can find the solution.

 

[electrathon]

If I led you astray I apologize. Generally you turn the control backwards to wire it. Since your friend did not do that I am assuming the control is electronic and not manual (electronic dimmers are not happy backwards). This one can be wired like you wired the current one and the light switch can control the bypass speed and the fan switch can control the fan speed.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-S...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100399014-_-100059262-_-N

 

[iron]

If I led you astray I apologize. Generally you turn the control backwards to wire it. Since your friend did not do that I am assuming the control is electronic and not manual (electronic dimmers are not happy backwards). This one can be wired like you wired the current one and the light switch can control the bypass speed and the fan switch can control the fan speed.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-S...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100399014-_-100059262-_-N

i believe this is the install manual for that switch:
(broken link removed to http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/0301050A.pdf)

it still seems there's only a single black wire leading to the switch. without knowing much about electrical, i suspect it would have similar results to the previous switch recommendation. thoughts?

thanks for the help.

 

[electrathon]

i believe this is the install manual for that switch:
(broken link removed to http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/0301050A.pdf)

it still seems there's only a single black wire leading to the switch. without knowing much about electrical, i suspect it would have similar results to the previous switch recommendation. thoughts?

thanks for the help.

Yes, similar results if you turned the light switch portion to high. If you turn it to the same position as the fan switch was left on, then the override would be "mid-speed" just like the normal speed you leave the fan on.

 

[mminor]

Hi Iron,

I wanted to ask if you found an alternative switch that works as intended - I was so excited by the idea of a different switch versus the supplied Northstar switch...

Thanks
Matt

 

[iron]

nope. my buddy called around to several specialty shops in seattle. sounds like that product doesn't exist for some reason...