I need something more reliable than this

[PassnThru]

I went to adjust the speed on my whole house fan in the garage and ended up with this:

Fortunately when I wired it in I put it on a switch so it's off for now. I've done a preliminary check on it and it broke in the electrical box so it's not likely that I have enough room to play with here. Oddly enough about two weeks ago I had the same problem with a ceiling fan - but I had enough play to reattach but I'm concerned about it also - it doesn't pull 'smoothly' and I think it will break again.
Tired of dealing with these pull chains - are there alternatives?

 

[Shiftless]

If you’re up for a challenge, open up the switch housing, sort out the wires and extend them down to a wall switch so you can control the fan from a more convenient and more durable switch.
I did that with my whole house fan that is mounted in the ceiling of our bedroom hallway.

Is it a 2 speed switch? Mine is 2 speed so I used 2 switches in a 3 gang box. The on off became a 60 minute timer switch. The speed control is a “3 way” rocker switch. SPDT

 

[PassnThru]

That's an option but the power switch is in the attic at the top of the stairs - so I would have to pull down the stairs to turn it on. I could relocate the switch but it would be so much easier to find a pull chain that doesn't break.

 

[larry_g]

I know that they make wireless speed controls for ceiling fans so maybe one is made for your unit. If you can get the brand and model number then contact the MFG and check your options.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[WildBill]

If you’re up for a challenge, open up the switch housing, sort out the wires and extend them down to a wall switch so you can control the fan from a more convenient and more durable switch.
I did that with my whole house fan that is mounted in the ceiling of our bedroom hallway.

Is it a 2 speed switch? Mine is 2 speed so I used 2 switches in a 3 gang box. The on off became a 60 minute timer switch. The speed control is a “3 way” rocker switch. SPDT

This is exactly what I did as well. Works slick and the timer is nice because I usually just want it on for 10-30 mins at a time so I used one of those six button timer switches with 5 min to 1 hour buttons on it. Just have to walk by and hit whatever time button you want. I ran it down to where a hallway light switch already was and put in a bigger box for the new switches.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is a pic of how I installed the controls. (The single toggle below controls the lights in the hallway. One on each end of the hallway.)

The blank panel in the middle does nothing but cover the middle opening in the wall plate. I used a 3 gang box so I could have more room to install 2 devices and all the Romex.

Click the rocker switch bottom for Low, upper part for High.

Not a single problem in over 25 years.

 

[CraigStu]

If this is a typical big box store ceiling fan they make universal remotes for them. Very common these days. I have upgraded 3 fans over the years w/ the remote control kits.

 

[nadogail]

There is a store in San Diego that specializes in the sales and service of fans, they offered me a Universal Speed Control that could be retrofitted to one of my fans. Their name is/was Fan Diego
.
It is very probable that a similar store and service exists in the local area of the OP.

i probably would go to Home Depot and just get a new switch with it's new pull chain.

 

[PassnThru]

I went to Menards this morning and spent $5 on a new switch. Already installed. I guess the last one lasted about 22 years so we'll see how long this one lasts. Since it's in my detached garage I don't really mind the chain hanging down. If it was in the hallway in the house I would go with a wall control as suggested.
Thanks.