Hi!

We’ve got this floor standing room fan with those new fangled controls, micro switches and little LED indicators. Unfortunately something on the circuit board for all this high tech stuff is stuffed. Strange really as the fan is a Hatari from Tesco and not all that old. Anyway I did some investigating and found that by bypassing the circuit board and connecting straight to the motor the fan still worked.

So I had this idea (light bulb illuminates)

Our small daughter has got one of those electric tricycle thingies that runs off a 6v rechargeable battery which is broken. Well the battery won’t recharge and its not worth replacing. This bike thing has a 3 position toggle switch F-Off-R so I thought I could use this switch to get at least two speed control on the busted fan.

I don’t think the Amp rating of the switch will be a problem as the motor on the bike takes a lot more than the fan but I vaguely seem to remember from the dim and distant past that AC and DC switches won’t last long if used for the wrong current, something to do with the contacts burning out.

Now I could go and take the switch out of the bike and check the rating on it but as I’m at the computer thought I’d put the question here first. Anyway if the 3 year old sees me taking bits of her bike she’ll want to know what’s going on and if after I explain it all to her it does not work my standing as super dad will drop another notch.

So would this switch work on the fan without melt down?

Cautious Daffy

Unlikely.

Switches will often have two ratings, DC current and AC current. The DC Current rating will be lower due to self-quenching of arcs on AC. DC will have more continuous arcing when open/closed and will pit faster unless properly rated. The issue in your case is the voltage rating of the switch more then the current rating, it may not be able to handle 220VAC and break down. Though, IMHO, probably not a problem. Other option, buy a rated switch for a few baht.

Everything they said ^^^

That cheapo switch from the bike probably isn't mains rated, possible fire/shock risk

Go to your local electrics/electronics shop and get a proper mains rated toggle switch.

Edited April 3, 200818 yr by Crossy

Hi!

We’ve got this floor standing room fan with those new fangled controls, micro switches and little LED indicators. Unfortunately something on the circuit board for all this high tech stuff is stuffed. Strange really as the fan is a Hatari from Tesco and not all that old. Anyway I did some investigating and found that by bypassing the circuit board and connecting straight to the motor the fan still worked.

So I had this idea (light bulb illuminates)

Our small daughter has got one of those electric tricycle thingies that runs off a 6v rechargeable battery which is broken. Well the battery won’t recharge and its not worth replacing. This bike thing has a 3 position toggle switch F-Off-R so I thought I could use this switch to get at least two speed control on the busted fan.

I don’t think the Amp rating of the switch will be a problem as the motor on the bike takes a lot more than the fan but I vaguely seem to remember from the dim and distant past that AC and DC switches won’t last long if used for the wrong current, something to do with the contacts burning out.

Now I could go and take the switch out of the bike and check the rating on it but as I’m at the computer thought I’d put the question here first. Anyway if the 3 year old sees me taking bits of her bike she’ll want to know what’s going on and if after I explain it all to her it does not work my standing as super dad will drop another notch.

So would this switch work on the fan without melt down?

Cautious Daffy

If you're not sure then don't chance it. Get someone who knows to have a look.

Naka.

Took the switch out while kid was out shopping with mum and it’s rated at 15amp 250v AC so no worries.

Could have gone to the shop and bought a switch or even a complete new fan but where’s the fun in that?

Daffy.

Our small daughter has got one of those electric tricycle thingies that runs off a 6v rechargeable battery which is broken

You've got a young child in the house.

Don't go fixing/modifying electical items - Throw it out and buy a new one.

Pleased to report successful conclusion of my fan switch project.

The switch would have looked better mounted on the front but unfortunately the curve of the panel was too great for the switch to fit properly so put it on the side.

To the skeptics cynics and all those of a nervous disposition let me assure you that no children or any animals were hurt or put at risk at any time during this project. The only one at risk was myself and because of that before I started testing the various live wires in the traditional manner with my wet finger, I sighed a waiver relieving all other parties of any responsibility as well as securing my PIN number in a plain envelope addressed to my wife in the event accident.

Daffy.

P.S. Thank you Tywais for a constructive reply to the point of the question.

Looks nicely done, good job DD.

How are the wires attached to the rear of the switch?

Looks nicely done, good job DD.

How are the wires attached to the rear of the switch?

The classic thai way, of course. Twisted together and held on with sticky tape. Agreed, neat job

Daffy.

Gentlemen you are dealing with a Farang of the old school here.

The switch has spade connectors with the correct insulators that I soldered directly to the relevant wires. Non of that twisty wire black tape stuff on this job.

Mr. Daffy D

The switch has spade connectors with the correct insulators that I soldered directly to the relevant wires. Non of that twisty wire black tape stuff on this job.

YO DAFFY... you be da man, no doubt

p.s. it looks indeed need.

The switch has spade connectors with the correct insulators that I soldered directly to the relevant wires. Non of that twisty wire black tape stuff on this job.

YO DAFFY... you be da man, no doubt

p.s. it looks indeed need.

pardon my spelling should of course read "neat"

Agreed. Neat job Daffy. Let us all know when Daffy's Small Appliance Repair Shop opens and we will keep you busy.

Hey! Why stop there ... anything in Thailand broken - bring it to Daffy. No job too big ...

I see a mega-franchise opportunity here, Daffy. Better chat with the legal team at Sunbelt Asia.

Peter

Thank you gentlemen for your kind words. “Er indoors” now takes my humble efforts round the house for granted; only darling daughter occasionally informs me “you did that Daddy”

Much as I would like to contribute to domestic appliance repair in this LOS I only like to get involved in unconventional fun projects now days. But if anyone has the need for an idea to fix something that the local guy cannot feel free to post here and let’s see what we can come up with.

Thank you gentlemen for your kind words. “Er indoors” now takes my humble efforts round the house for granted; only darling daughter occasionally informs me “you did that Daddy”

Much as I would like to contribute to domestic appliance repair in this LOS I only like to get involved in unconventional fun projects now days. But if anyone has the need for an idea to fix something that the local guy cannot feel free to post here and let’s see what we can come up with.

how about converting a non functional old washing machine into an airconditioning unit powered by solar energy? fun enough?

Erm! I'll get back to you on that.