How do I smooth out a sticky pull-chain connection?

StoopidMonkey81

Hi,

This is not directly an electrical question but it seemed the best place to ask. I have a new ceiling fan that was designed with a very crappy pull-chain mechanism to turn the fan on and off. The chain comes out of the switch fine enough through a rounded metal flange and is then redirected through a stamped hole in a lower metal plate a few inches down and out and through an opening in the glass lamp covering. See amateur diagram below:

.........[] <-switch
......../
.___ /______ <-metal plate
......|
\___|_______/ <-lamp covering
......|
......|
......* <-end of pull chain


Because of the angled routing through the thin metal plate the chain catches on the hole's edge and makes for a very hard yank & grind to operate the fan. Can anything be installed to fix this problem? I've tried looking for the rounded metal flange pieces you see on the opening of these pull switches but haven't had any luck. Any ideas?

jbfan

Must be a hunter fan!!

I have the same thing, but don't have an answer for you.

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StoopidMonkey81

Close, Hampton Bay.

StoopidMonkey81

Any takers on this one?

Missouri Bound

Replace the chain with a pull string up above the holes.....and if the holes are sharp edged, expect to replace it from time to time. You can find a waxed type string which may last a bit longer. You can also find plastic grommets for those holes which will make the string last longer.

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StoopidMonkey81

That sounds like it would work! I was thinking string but was afraid the hole would shear it. The plastic grommet might even help on its own, I just didn't know how to describe it ("round plastic thing to put in the hole" doesn't generate much response from people in the typical orange or blue uniforms).

Missouri Bound

I'd look in Ace Hardware for the grommets. They have jobbers that supply kits of screws, and other accessories in most stores. They tend to have a good selection. Just make sure you know the size you need. I'd use plastic rather than rubber since the string just may want to cut into the rubber grommet.

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StoopidMonkey81

So if I wanted to replace the midsection of the chain with some string, I would just clip the chain with wire cutters, use a pair of chain connector pieces on both ends of the string and "attach" the string to the connectors with a knot at both ends roughly the same size as "chain balls"?

Code05

You could try one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Ceil...9601185&sr=1-1

goosebarry

Tim Taylor lives. You think like me. Why spend 20 cents for 2 grommets, when I can buy a $30 remote control.

To the OP: You will probably find a kit of 200 different size grommets for about $10. The nice thing is you can go home and test out different grommets. Maybe you want the hole looser or tighter. Downside is you'll probably loose the kit before the next time you need a grommet, so you just spent $10 for 2 grommets.

So why would a company leave out a 10 cent grommet. If they manufacture 1 million units a year, that is a savings of $200,000 or 1.3 million Yuan.