Separate my light and fan

cdeggz

In my bathroom I have 1 switch that turns on both the light and fan. I wanted to put them on separate switches.

The problem is I only have 1 pair of wires that go into the wall to both light and fan.

I can't run new wires without ripping open the wall

I was looking for a solution where either:
-the wires bypass the switch, and the switches send a signal wirelessly to a switch located at the fan and light

OR

-The switches send an encoded signal through the wires activating relays.


ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

I'm surprised nobody sells a small kit just for this issue. I saw some X10 options but they seem very expensive.

hammerlane

Are the light and fan in a single unit. Or is the light in one location and the exhuast fan in a different location?

cdeggz

Seperate units in seperate locations. Each have room behind them for electronics.

curiousB

This is exactly for your situation:

http://www.functionaldevices.com/pdf...eets/FL101.pdf

Might drive people crazy when switch has multiple functions though...

cdeggz

CuriousB, this won't work for me. I have a light and an exhaust fan in seperate locations, with only two wires between them.

hammerlane

Start running new cable and get ready for some drywall repair.

curiousB

I think it would. The FL101 goes at the device first after the switch. The incoming white and black would feed the white and black of the FL101. The the light is connected to the white/red wire and the white. The fan is then downstream and is fed by the white and the white/black from the FL101. (flip it around if the fan is fed before the light.

You might not want to do this anyway but it isn't because it wouldn't work.

cdeggz

Ahh, I understand now.

Know of any options that just use two switches? This is the guest bathroom and I don't want to include a manual.

goosebarry

Try this

and reverse fan and light as appropriate. (Orange dots are wire nuts)

If you need to mount the device in a separate box, put the box as close to the fan or light, which ever is first in the chain, run the original cable to the device and two cables coming out of the box.

cdeggz

Thanks guys. One more thing: Can I add a cheap in-line 15-minute timer to the exhaust fan? I don't want it being left on. Any recommendations?

I'm really considering putting the whole house on Insteon . . . expensive but might be nice.

Side-topic: Anybody know how much an automated light/hvac system (insteon) would add to a home value? Will my investment in insteon pay off?

gailquilter2

I recommend longer than 15 minutes for a shower, you need the ductwork to get dry. I think they are about $35??? Some have more than one button for different timings.

cdeggz

No shower, just poo-fumes.

Where do I buy this timer?

goosebarry

Same website has a 15 minute shutoff timer for closets.

http://www.functionaldevices.com/pdf...CLC212-D15.pdf

Person closes door to do business, when they leave the fan comes on for 15 minutes as long as the door is left open.

curiousB that site is a great find

Side-topic: Home Automation systems don't add value to a house when selling and can negatively impact sales by discouraging potential buyers. They're non-standard gadgets without a broad support network.

That said. Microsoft Kinect boxes are great for setting up a fully gesture controlled home automation system. I'm probably the only person with 6 Kinect boxes and no XBox. But it works great with my Atari 2600.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=kinect+home+automation
(no my work is not on the Internet, also I do work for Microsoft and I did buy all my Kinect boxes)

gailquilter2

the timer with different time options plus on and off I think was at either Lowe's or Home Depot.

what would be nice is an alarm when you leave the water running more than 5 minutes except for bath or shower.

curiousB

That is asking a lot. Your op spoke to not wanting to rip walls and run new wiring. If you want timers too then start chipping away the walls.