JTsao Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 Has anyone successfully modified the medium and low speed settings on a fanlinc by changing the internal capacitors? I installed a couple of Casablanca fans that came with a 3 speed wireless controller - I used the fanlinc instead of the included controller. It works, but the problem is that the medium and low fan speeds are too slow - need to speed them up a bit. I have downloaded the internal pictures of the fanlinc and have found some discussion of this, but no specific details that could expedite a solution prior to me experimenting.
JTsao Posted July 13, 2017 Author Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) Well I took apart 3 different brands of wireless fan controllers to compare to the Insteon FanLinc. I believe they all work by switching in different capacitors in series to the fan motor. All capacitors that I observed were rated for 250V. The fanlinc had two labelled 825K and 475K, which I believe correspond to 8.25 uF and 4.75 UF, The Casablanca controller had 3 caps, 10 uF, 5 uF, and 1.8 uF. The Minka Aire controller had 2 caps, 4 uF and 5 uF. The Home Depot one had a 5 uF and 6 uF cap. My current theory is that I should try replacing the 8.25 uF cap in the fanlinc with a 10 uF cap. I think that the Casablanca controller differs from the others in that the 1.8 uF cap may be used for the high speed, but the other controllers may not use any. Edited July 14, 2017 by jtsao
larryllix Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 Larger capacitor values conduct more current casusing the motor to have more power and go faster. Make sure to use non-polarised capacitors suitable for AC application. I thought the fanlinc was triac dimmer style circuit operation, not series capacitor voltage drop.. People using it have reported fan motor hum, classic of triac dimming.
Brian H Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) Your decoding the capacitor markings look correct. 8.25 uF and 4.75 uF. I double recommend getting capacitors rated for use on AC Power Line connections. My thoughts on the Triac in the FanLinc is they use them to switch the different capacitor into the Fan Load Output. Check you fans wiring thoroughly. They could be connecting the caps to different winding taps for some speeds or changing direction by swapping wires. Edited July 13, 2017 by Brian H
JTsao Posted July 14, 2017 Author Posted July 14, 2017 Thanks for the replies. This evening I replaced another ceiling fan and installed a fanlinc that I modified based on components that I had readily available at work. In this case, I only had a single 1 uF 250V mylar capacitor (same as the two large caps in the fanlinc). I put it in parallel across the 8.25 uF to see what would happen. Effectively, I increased the larger cap to 9.25 uF. I am not sure, but compared to the same ceiling fan in another room with a stock fanlinc, there may be a very slight increase in the medium fan speed. It's difficult to compare because one is upstairs and one is downstairs. So, long story short, increasing the large cap by 1 uF is not enough to raise the medium speed to desired levels. At this point I will have to order some caps and experiment later. One issue is that I see that larger caps are not going to easily fit into the fanlinc enclosure.
larryllix Posted July 14, 2017 Posted July 14, 2017 Your decoding the capacitor markings look correct. 8.25 uF and 4.75 uF. I double recommend getting capacitors rated for use on AC Power Line connections. My thoughts on the Triac in the FanLinc is they use them to switch the different capacitor into the Fan Load Output. Check you fans wiring thoroughly. They could be connecting the caps to different winding taps for some speeds or changing direction by swapping wires. I have never used or even seen a fanlinc relay. I find it hard to believe that they could get a 8.25 uf and a 4.75uf @ 250vac caps in that tiny box! Technology has changed a fair bit since my power supply electronics days. I guess I was basing my conclusion on only one live connection to the fan and complaints about motor hum. I concluded a triac dimming circuit possibly in error, further disproven by finding the voltage dropping large caps inside. I take it this is one device you haven't examined the published schematic for?
JTsao Posted July 14, 2017 Author Posted July 14, 2017 I haven't found a publicly available schematic for the fanlinc. If you know where one is, please let me know. The FCC only has internal photos and a test report which describes the fanlinc as a "inline dual load module". Motor hum does not exist on the slow and medium speeds. There is some kind of hum at high speed, but I am not sure if it is just associated with the motor running fast or the blades. I am going to order some capacitors and experiment. 1
piplight Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) I hate resurrecting old posts, but you seem to be the only one that has attempted this and posted about it. What were your final results? What did you use? Edited March 28, 2019 by piplight
dsstrainer Posted May 20, 2019 Posted May 20, 2019 (edited) On 3/28/2019 at 11:10 AM, piplight said: I hate resurrecting old posts, but you seem to be the only one that has attempted this and posted about it. What were your final results? What did you use? Never understood the hate against resurrecting old posts. Why would I want to have to search in multiple different threads for the same topic? This topic is perfectly relevant and might have new progress. You don't put half your conversation in one voicemail then continue it in another.. just keep it going and double tallmans to anyone that complains. Now, on that note.. I too just installed a fanlinc and noted the same behavior... low is a little too low and medium is low. Edited May 20, 2019 by dsstrainer
JTsao Posted September 18, 2019 Author Posted September 18, 2019 Sorry, just noticed the replies - I usually only check these forums when I have some kind of project/update going on - my conclusion about modifying the fanlincs is basically to not do it. Instead, I have done something else, but it may not apply to others depending on your wiring. In my house I have separate fan and light switches going to all ceiling fans except for one that I installed myself. For some locations, I have just purchased a fan capacitor block from Amazon (about $10) and used it to dial in a single speed that works well and I just use the Insteon On/Off switch to control the fan on and off. These fan capacitors are inexpensive and have multiple leads that you can use to connect up to three capacitance values in parallel. More capacitance = faster. This is a simple, low cost method that works well if you don't really need 3 speeds.
MWareman Posted October 14, 2019 Posted October 14, 2019 Sorry, just noticed the replies - I usually only check these forums when I have some kind of project/update going on - my conclusion about modifying the fanlincs is basically to not do it. Instead, I have done something else, but it may not apply to others depending on your wiring. In my house I have separate fan and light switches going to all ceiling fans except for one that I installed myself. For some locations, I have just purchased a fan capacitor block from Amazon (about $10) and used it to dial in a single speed that works well and I just use the Insteon On/Off switch to control the fan on and off. These fan capacitors are inexpensive and have multiple leads that you can use to connect up to three capacitance values in parallel. More capacitance = faster. This is a simple, low cost method that works well if you don't really need 3 speeds. Interesting. How are these wired? In theory - you could wire a couple of Aeotec mini on/off devices to give multiple speeds as well. An expensive way to do this - but likely more reliable than the Fanlinc.
JTsao Posted October 14, 2019 Author Posted October 14, 2019 This is an example of a brand of ceiling fan capacitor I have used: https://www.amazon.com/Podoy-Capacitor-CBB61-4-5uf-Ceiling/dp/B07FB8VL3F/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Podoy+Ceiling+Fan+Capacitor&qid=1571084072&s=industrial&sr=1-3 It contains 3 capacitors with a common lead at one end (2 gray wires - use either one or both) and 3 individual leads at the other end. Connect the block in-line on your hot wire going to the ceiling fan motor, using the common lead, then one or more of the capacitors together on the other end (so that they are in parallel). Add value of connected capacitors to determine total capacitance. More = faster. Only works with the most common type of ceiling fan motor which I believe is called an inductive AC motor. Could potentially switch in one, two or three of the capacitors under remote control with the right device - certainly a mechanical relay could work. 1
Recommended Posts