The ceiling fan in my bedroom has stopped working on low speed, still ok on medium and high.
Trouble is I only like it on the low speed overnight, while sleeping.

What would be the mostly likely fault?
The fan assembly looks quite old but the wall controller looks newer.

This is the wall controller:

Aquila said:

The ceiling fan in my bedroom has stopped working on low speed, still ok on medium and high.
Trouble is I only like it on the low speed overnight, while sleeping.

What would be the mostly likely fault?
The fan assembly looks quite old but the wall controller looks newer.

This is the wall controller:

Call the property manager ;)

Spider Lily said:

Call the property manager ;)

I don’t think they would be very happy with that idea on a Sunday afternoon
LOL

There is a switch and two capacitors behind. Low speed will switch the small one in series with the fan, medium will switch the big one in series, and high will bypass them completely.

You have two options –

1. Take the switch off the wall and look at the capacitor (they are in a single module) and note the capacitance and go to the local electrical wholesalers and buy a new one (with the understanding you can go smaller or larger to adjust the speed) and replace it.

2. Call the realestate agent. and get them to fix it.

Note: you can swap the capacitor with another that works in the house that you don’t use on low speed.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

There is a switch and two capacitors behind. Low speed will switch the small one in series with the fan, medium will switch the big one in series, and high will bypass them completely.

You have two options –

1. Take the switch off the wall and look at the capacitor (they are in a single module) and note the capacitance and go to the local electrical wholesalers and buy a new one (with the understanding you can go smaller or larger to adjust the speed) and replace it.

2. Call the realestate agent. and get them to fix it.

Note: you can swap the capacitor with another that works in the house that you don’t use on low speed.

the ‘ol open circuit capacitor, trick!

I like Ceiling Fans

I like those powerful industrial fans too

the ones with powerful motors

can you buy powerful motors on their own to replace those wimpy ones some put in

CrazyNeutrino said:

I like Ceiling Fans

I like those powerful industrial fans too

the ones with powerful motors

can you buy powerful motors on their own to replace those wimpy ones some put in

Difficult to sleep under though.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

CrazyNeutrino said:

I like Ceiling Fans

I like those powerful industrial fans too

the ones with powerful motors

can you buy powerful motors on their own to replace those wimpy ones some put in

Difficult to sleep under though.

I meant the ones that stand up

is it easy to replace fan motors

Carmen_Sandiego said:

CrazyNeutrino said:

I like Ceiling Fans

I like those powerful industrial fans too

the ones with powerful motors

can you buy powerful motors on their own to replace those wimpy ones some put in

Difficult to sleep under though.

I disagree :p

they make too many wimpy fans

you have to put your face right in front of some fans to feel anything

CrazyNeutrino said:

they make too many wimpy fans

you have to put your face right in front of some fans to feel anything

Liverpool fans?

Aquila said:

The ceiling fan in my bedroom has stopped working on low speed, still ok on medium and high.

They always do. I’ve never yet met a ceiling fan that didn’t stop working on low speed after ten years or so. I take it you’ve already tried switching it to higher speed and waiting for it to speed up before reducing the speed. That sometimes works for a while. I’ve tried spraying the fan with WD-40 to reduce the internal friction, without success.

mollwollfumble said:

Aquila said:

The ceiling fan in my bedroom has stopped working on low speed, still ok on medium and high.

They always do. I’ve never yet met a ceiling fan that didn’t stop working on low speed after ten years or so. I take it you’ve already tried switching it to higher speed and waiting for it to speed up before reducing the speed. That sometimes works for a while. I’ve tried spraying the fan with WD-40 to reduce the internal friction, without success.

Yup, tried this.
Not the WD40 though

I’ll check the capacitor tomorrow when I figure out which CB to switch off at the load centre.

For non-ceiling fans, I’ve noticed frictional wear inside the fan motor that causes problems. In those cases the only option is to discard the fan and buy a better quality one.