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Not being electrically inclined, please bear with me. Had an electrician install an inline fan for two baths. The lights for both work off one circuit, and there was no want to get wires into the rooms for switches, so the electrician decided to wire the fan to the lights, the idea being that when either light went on, so would the fan for both baths.
Well, it didn’t work out that way. Now, when one light goes on in one bath, the light in the other goes on as well, as does the fan. And only the switch in the bath that turned on will turn the lights off.
The electrician doesn’t have a clue what to do. Obviously, I search the world over for the brightest people. Any ideas? Thanks.
SHG
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shg.... the only obviuous 1......
get a different electrician... yeah , i know..
*Double pole, single throw switch. [Perhaps a 220 volt switch?]Actually two, one in each bathroom. All on the same circuit.One pole of each switch would feed the fan. The other would feed each individual light. Hope this provides a clue. Peterps: Long live the Dave Clark 5!
*SHGThe "simplest" way, electrical is to use a two pole switch. But that requires rewiring the switch box and and replacing the two wire cable with 3 wire or adding a 2nd 2 wire cable which you did not want to do.The other option is two get 2 120 volt relays. You will need a box to mount them in. The coils of each one is parallel to the each light. The contacts on each relay are wired in parallel and supply the fan.ANY "electrican" should be any to do that.
*Thanks guys. If I could run more wire, I would have put the fans on switches. Unfortunately, old houses tell you what they will and won't do. This house isn't taking any more wires without some major plaster damage. Without a long story, the carps made sure that no electrician would ever screw with their framing in the future. It's great work, except that you can't get anywhere near the box and they stapled the hell out of the old bx so pulling it through it out of the question.And Mike, I want to extend a personal note of thanks for your advice. SHGI thought of the relays, but won't that cause one bath switch to lock out the other when it is on?
*SHG,
*Without being there or seeing pics I can't really comment on the not being able to run more wires down the wall. BUT! if he has screwed it up that bad and can't figure it out. Then he aint no electrician. Get a guy who advertises Re-wires,he should have a better grip on fishing wires down walls. Or at least be smart enough to tap into the light box for each specific bathroom so the fan will come on with the light. Pretty basic skill test on that one. Unless I'm not getting something.
*One of the mistakes he might have made,was to tap into a junction. In alot of old houses the electrician used to make his junctions in a ceiling light box,and if the guy wasn't paying attention he may have tapped into the other bathroom circuit. Now days most guys make all their junctions in the switch box. It's easier to work on and if you do have a problem you don't have to take down a light fixture to trouble shoot.
*shg.. most newer fan/light can be adapted with a remote control unit that is installed under the light canopy and is wired at the 2 wire switch. it controls the light and fan separatly without running new wires. check the manufacture. in san diego there is a place 'Fandiego' that can help you out. I would also get an ELECTRICAN to check out whats been done to make sure everything is correct.good luckJim
*Guys, fishing new wiring isn't the issue. In old houses, sometimes things can't be done.The question is whether it can be rewired. Best option I've heard is to get a second inline fan so that it doesn't back feed. Seems like any wiring combo will cause back feed. Anyway, thanks for the help.SHG
*If this is the way I read it. You have two seperate bathrooms each having a seperate lighting fixture. Each lighting fixture is controlled by it's own light switch. Correct? Then what the other electrician did was accidently tapped into a junction in one of the light fixtures when he went to tie it into the fan.If you get another electrician (not this one because he messed up a basic task)He will be able to straighten it out fairly easy. I'm willing to bet five milk bones that this is the problem. That is if I am understanding the set up correctly. You might want to take the moniter into the bathroom and show us around. Good luck I know it's frustrating.
*SHGRe-read my message. It has the details in it. It takes a couple of relays.
*Yes, relays would be the answer.
*Bill,Sorry about not noting your two relay solution. You were right. I used it and it works. Thanks.SHG
*SHGYour welcome.