Shop Ceiling Fan options/wiring

[alex2929]

I am planning to put 4 ceiling fans in my shop. Maybe something similar to what I have attached in the link? Most of the similar fans I've looked at all include their own speed control. Some are reversible and some are not but everything I have found has the little switch on the fan itself. I was hoping to have 1 knob to control the speed on all 4 fans and also maybe have a switch to switch/reverse direction. Is this realistic and can anyone give me a fan that may work? Or with a fan similar to what i've attached could it be wired this way and Ijust don't know it?

https://www.menards.com/main/lighting-ceiling-fans/ceiling-fans/industrial-ceiling-fans/patriot-lighting-trade-industrial-56-white-indoor-ceiling-fan/fn56010w/p-1444438412460-c-7486.htm?tid=3820771489864253174&ipos=1

 

[930dreamer]

I installed three in my shop, they're reversible with the switch but they don't have remotes. Some fans with remotes have dip pins to link remotes together. My fans sit at 16' so I can't easily switch the direction. My fans are wired so they all start together.

The fans in your link aren't reversible.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

I put two canarm brand fans up in my shop. I have their speed controller that controls both fans and then a 4 way light switch that switches 2 of the 4 wires for reversing on them for up or down draft.

In all honesty I dont think reversing is all that necessary as I find it blowing hot air down in the winter in my shop to be much more effective than an up draft.

 

[mepstein]

You want to push the hot air down in the winter and pull the cool air up in the summer. Most of what you feel temp wise is from your chest and hands to the top of your head.

 

[Bert_]

You can buy reversing fans but they are more money and nobody stocks them. I've put up several marley brand that could be reversed, I think you needed like 4 or 5 wires from the controller to the fans.

Normally I just put in single direction fans and use a variable speed wall control.

 

[TriumphFan]

I use two indoor/outdoor Hunter fans in my shop. I change the direction according to the season. They are three speed and are wired directly to the garage door circuit so no wall switch. They run 24/7 since I am always fighting humid conditions in the summer and cold conditions in the winter.

 

[nadogail]

We bought a really attractive Emerson fan several years ago, for the office in our home, with a remote that controls the light and both the speed and direction of rotation.

Compared to the big box stores it was pricey, but SWMBO chose it. It was easy to install and it honestly seems to be far superior to those found in the big box stores.

 

[Jinks]

Big box stores carry a batch of dimmer switches that will control both lights & fan speed. They run $21 to $60. I don't know about any thing to change direction, but I've never found reversing a fan to be worth the effort.

 

[TractorJeff]

You want to push the hot air down in the winter and pull the cool air up in the summer. Most of what you feel temp wise is from your chest and hands to the top of your head.

I think you have this backward?

In Winter, you want to push Hot Air down the walls hence **** up to the Fan. In Summer, you want to pull air up the walls hence push Air down from the Fan to feel a Cool Breeze.

Go ahead and GOOGLE it, if you are in doubt.

 

[930dreamer]

Clockwise in winter, anti clockwise in summer.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have installed several of the fans posted in the original link. They are not reversible, but they don't seem to move enough air to make it necessary to change direction. I put six in 40'X80' auction barn with 14' ceilings and with all six fans on high, paper blowing around is not a concern. Also, those fans come with speed controllers, but from what I remember, the controller can only work two fans.

 

[Bert_]

Buy you own speed control. You can get different sizes depending on how many fans you want to run.

 

[baoser]

This fan is down to $103 at select lowes stores.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fanimation...-with-Light-Kit-and-Remote-7-Blade/1002613908

It has a wall mount wireless remote. Has controls for direction/speed/timer/etc.

https://brickseek.com/lowes-inventory-checker/?sku=1002613908

 

[pancho400cid]

Buy you own speed control. You can get different sizes depending on how many fans you want to run.

I agree. The individual electronic speed control that comes with most fans now is so light-duty/cheap it's doing good to control ONE fan.

Here's a 5 Amp one good for up to four fans depending on amp draw:

https://www.tropicalfancompany.com/multiple_ceiling_fan_speed_control_switch.aspx


...

 

[Dragfluid]

I think you have this backward?

In Winter, you want to push Hot Air down the walls hence **** up to the Fan. In Summer, you want to pull air up the walls hence push Air down from the Fan to feel a Cool Breeze.

Go ahead and GOOGLE it, if you are in doubt.

Exactly.
I've got 3 of the Canarm fans and they have the wall mount controller with the fwd/reverse switch on the controller. You need to have 2 runs of 14-2. Or 14-4 if you want to pay 3 times the money.
Pics and more details in my build thread.

 

[Bigshow0003]

I put two of those exact Menards fans in my 40x30x10. Things I don't like...
-They aren't reversible
-The controllers hum
-The lowest setting, speed 1, is still whipping pretty good.
-Fastest setting 5 is loud, and doesn't move a ton of air
-Require one controller per one fan

Pro's:
-Super easy to install

Had I did it again would have bought something else.

As mentioned above, you can buy a better wall controller so you can wire more than one fan up.

Lastly, I agree with one of the above posts that I'm not convinced I would 'need' reversible fans in the shop. I reverse them in my house each winter/summer. But out in the shop I have a ribbed steel ceiling at 10', with a Modine Hot Dawg blowing heat. I leave one of the two fans on (furthest from the heater) the lowest setting to move air. Seems good enough.

 

[jfryjfry]

I’ve had good luck finding fans on Craigslist, offerup etc and now, wintertime, seems to be when they are the cheapest

 

[77thor]

Our Habitat ReStore always has ceiling fans.
I bought a nice Hunter fan for less than $20.