Yet another ceiling fan/zwave integration question

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I have one 12/2 romex, as many do, going from circuit breaker panel, to a single wall switch (where the hot is switched) to a ceiling fan/light. You turn on the switch, and then you control the fan with the pull chain, and light with the pull chain.

Yes, I know there are several options, mostly zigbee, for separately controlling a ceiling fan/light. I’d like to know if MY thought-of option has merit. I am using the Go-Control/Linear/Nortek paddle switches everywhere in my house - I really don’t want to use something different in a couple of rooms where there are ceiling fans. Adding a second 12/2 romex is not possible.

I would like to install an Enerwave ZWN-RSM2 Plus relay at the fan, with load 1 connected to the light, and load 2 connected to the fan.

I would like to install TWO WT00Z-1 switches in the wall (replacing the single switch, installing a two-gang box).

The hot lead and neutral lead (and ground, of course) would be split three ways: One WT00Z-1 switch (for the light), one WT00Z-1 switch (for the fan), and one that continues on the single romex 12/2 to the ZWN-RSM2 Plus relay at the fan.

I would use the pull chain to turn the fan light on (and probably remove/tuck up that chain), and use the pull chain to set the fan speed where I want it.

I would then set Smartthings (through an automation, or association/or Tweaker, or Webcore) so if the Light switch (WT00Z-1) is turned on, the ZWN-RSM2 Load ONE would activate to power the light. If the Fan switch (the other WT-00Z-1) is turned on, the ZWN-RSM2 Load TWO would activate to power the FAN. (I can also control Load ONE and TWO through the SmartThings App).

The only manual thing I would ever have to do is if I want to change the fan speed, I would have to use the pull chain (or use the switch to reverse fan direction).

Please let me know if this is feasible.

As a part 2 to this: Is there a different relay, or TWO relays, I could use at the fan/light that would control the fan speed and dim the light?

Edit 1: Looks like the Aeotec Dual Nano would serve the same purpose as the Enerwave.

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What you describe would work fine for the light kit. But not for the fan motor. I can’t think of any multi speed fan that would work with the devices that you mentioned, you’re very likely to start a fire or burn out the fan motor.

Motors just have different physics than lights, with power surges at different points and a drop down power sequence. You need a device specifically related to work with motors even just to turn on a multi speed fan.

The basic idea is OK, you just need a different device. At one point some people were putting a GE zwave fan control switch inside the fan canopy, and that would work. There’s a discussion thread on that in the forum. (This is a clickable link)

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Haha ok, the (past) electrician-trained part of me shudders at this, but yeah, I can see how it would work. I’d use one of these for the fan, and then the relay for the light. Thanks for the link!

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Hey, could I install one of the zigbee/wink things at the fan, allowing for both fan and light control, and use two wt00z-1’s in the wall, and use an automation to allow the switches to control the zigbee (webcore or some other"if switch is this then that)?

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Sure. :sunglasses:

By the way, there is also a new model for the fan controller which has bond built into it and is supposed to come with SmartThings integration. It’s WiFi, not zigbee, which I personally like better for a fan just because zigbee has a real problem with the rotating fan blades so people frequently end up having to add an additional zigbee repeater up near the ceiling line.

But I don’t know anyone who’s actually tried it yet:

New Fan/Light Controller for Smartthings (Universal Smart Ceiling Fan Remote)

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Heh update! My spouse says he doesn’t care if the wall switch is different. So the zigbee or wifi looks good, and I won’t need a 2 gang.

I do like the zigbee in-wall switch a bit better.

My smart things hub is located the floor above the fans - does that help the blade interference?