KennstduIngo t1_je9k8s7 wrote
It seems like your choices are either replace the light fixture with one that you can put smart bulbs in or pay an electrician to run some new wiring.
A lot of these answers don't seem to understand your question.
Madams135 OP t1_je9qvx6 wrote
But YOU understand me. Thanks for the feedback. I actually found some smart bulbs, so this is the easy "fix."
Just_wanna_talk t1_je9xiom wrote
You can also buy remote controllers where you wire in a receiver at the base of the fan and use a remote to control the fan and lights independently. This way you can also control the fan speed in addition if it's a 3 speed fan.
Oenonaut t1_jea35e7 wrote
That was my first thought, but on re-reading the fan and light are completely separate fixtures. I think what you're describing is intended to control the fan and lights in a single fixture.
Just_wanna_talk t1_jeb24b5 wrote
Depending on how it's wired it may still work if you interrupt the line with the receiver. But instead of the receiver controlling the lights in the fan itself it would control the separate light fixture.
BobbysWorldWar2 t1_jeaaw34 wrote
I had the same issue and this is what I did to fix it. Was going to be $400 to get a new wire ran without the drywall work. I ended up just getting a nicer big fan/light for $150 and replacing it myself.
Reallytalldude t1_jecphn7 wrote
Yep, that is exactly what my sparky installed for the same dilemma. I have one circuit that has both ceiling Down lights and a fan on the same light switch. He put in a remote control that operates both, so instead of flipping the switch I just use the remote - the switch stays always on.
Picture of said remote control: https://i.imgur.com/GR7l3ZL.jpg
Madams135 OP t1_jedqbfd wrote
Interesting. The fan has its own remote, but obviously just controls the fan. This doesn't fix the downright being always on. Thanks for sharing the pic.
[deleted] t1_jea1smn wrote
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amznfire t1_jeam6yt wrote
The problem even with smart bulbs is that if you cut power to the fan, the bulbs will lose power as well and thus disconnect from wifi.
Not sure how fast they reestablish wifi connection if you restore power to the fan and whether they go through some self check each time but this might be annoying as well as smart bulbs aren't designed to be fully powered off each time you turn off the lights.
compounding t1_jecga2g wrote
The solution if you still want to use the wall switch would be to permanently connect the power (take the switch out of the circuit entirely) and replace the wall receptacle with smart switches that are programmed to control the smart lights and a relay for the fan wirelessly.
TenderfootGungi t1_jea6vhy wrote
One of the few scenarios that smart bulbs instead of smart switched make sense.
Pinbrawler t1_jea5tj3 wrote
A remote or hunter makes a new wall switch that has light on/off/bright fan on/off/speed and full power. Only issue is it’s ugly af and off white. I use them and it works well for not running more wires for full control but still being able to adjust
Katters8811 t1_jebcsza wrote
There are a lot of different options and colors for these switches... definitely including white lol. Isn’t “Hunter” the brand name of some fans? So if it HAS to be brand specific for the one you have, maybe that’s the issue. People are getting these types of switches all over the place now (at least where I am in the US) and I’ve seen a huge variety and different colors. Never felt the need for one myself, so not sure about requirements. Mainly see them in newer houses or houses being renovated/updated. May be worth a look if you don’t like the color though!
thrownawayforlife9 t1_jec1sjl wrote
You could always vinyl wrap it with whatever color you want.
Katters8811 t1_jegyl5r wrote
Ooo! Never even thought of that! That’s a good idea!
Pinbrawler t1_jed305q wrote
Mine was through hunter, and they have a limited selection. It was a decently generic kit that installs a remote receiver in the fan unit and has the wall outlet with the remote. So I could see some other brands having correct colors
Katters8811 t1_jegu09n wrote
Yeah, back a few years ago I was looking to upgrade some ceiling fan/lights in my house and noticed hunter has an all around shockingly limited selection! They’re a great brand, but they seriously need to catch up selection-wise. Ones I’ve seen doing home renovations are pretty badass and there’s ones that u can attach the remote to, so it’s easy to put somewhere to keep up with it when you leave the room, then grab it back off the switch when you come into the room
SkooksOnReddit t1_jeb44ka wrote
That's how I solved it, sure I can't flip a switch to turn them off but I can turn them off in bed.
upstateduck t1_jebbgqo wrote
you could also add a pull string to the light
CloudMage1 t1_jebuxas wrote
there is no easy hard wire fix. smart bulbs would be the easiest. put an alexa in there and turn it on and off that way. you could also buy one of the "add on" remotes for ceiling fans and light fixtures to the light fixture wiring. then you could mount the remote to the wall and use it to turn the light on and off. that just requires wiring it into the top of the light fixture.
but smart bulbs would be my go to. i use them everywhere anyways.
lukkyfukky t1_jea4oem wrote
Smart bulbs def the way to go. I can turn mine on/off from anywhere w my phone as long as the switch is on. Def not worth the hassle of rewiring shit.
9174619472 t1_jeaeonq wrote
I have a similar and am rubbing Phillips hue smart bulbs and switch.
The switch is great. I stuck it on the wall next to existing switches.
Ryantdunn t1_jecjyz9 wrote
Smart bulbs will turn on every time you switch it off and on again which is a bit annoying. Are the pull cords missing? Usually the fan unit is all on one wall switch and you change the lights and fan setting with the pull cords.
MetaverseRealty t1_je9zult wrote
smart bulbs wouldn't fix this entirely, since they would power on and off with the fan switch
the fan and or switch are definitely wired incorrectly
Bgrngod t1_jeaik8c wrote
Yeah, exactly.
When the switches are in the "off" position, then the bulbs will only ever be off because they have no power. The OP can still have the lights off with the fan on, but cannot have the lights on with the fan off. Maybe that's fine for OP though?
I'd pull open both wall switches to see what the wiring looks like. Maybe they do have independent wires but were linked together or something weird.
KennstduIngo t1_jeatry8 wrote
True. You would likely want to replace the fan with one that can be remotely controlled (or add a remote control , possible) and then just leave that switch on all the time.
itdumbass t1_jea5z8y wrote
This is it. You have a fan and a light wired together, on 3-way switches. Either re-wire, or leave the fan on and use controllable bulbs. Recognize that the smart bulbs might get confused if you switch off/on the fan sometimes; they may end up back in pairing mode. Not a big issue, but it can be annoying.
harrybalsania t1_jeamk58 wrote
You can also get a fan that has a radio control switch and is wireless. Those are great for these situations if you don’t want smart bulbs.
KennstduIngo t1_jeat0b3 wrote
That is not the situation here though. The fan and a completely separate light fixture are on the same switch. OP wants to turn on the fan without turning on the light fixture. There is nothing you can do with the fan to enable keeping the other light fixture off while the fan has power.
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