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Home electrical question - Bathroom exhaust timer with dual switches Login/Join 
Fighting the good fight
Picture of RogueJSK
posted
My master bath exhaust fan has two switches, one on either end of the bathroom. Both are standard on/off flip switches.

Is there a way for me to replace one of the two switches with a timer, similar to the one shown below, and still have the other binary switch continue to function?

A quick Google suggest no, but I figured I'd check here.

It appears from that quick Google that my options may be:
A) Disconnect the secondary switch and just use the timer
B) Keep the second switch wired, with the understanding that it can only act as a cutoff (i.e. it has to be "on" in order to allow the timer to function, but cannot activate the fan itself)
C) Replace both switches with a pair of fancier specialized coordinating switches/timers at $30-$50 each.
D) Leave it as-is and just continue to live without a timer.

Is there another option here?

 
Posts: 33699 | Location: Northwest Arkansas | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Partial dichotomy
posted Hide Post
Yes...I think. Razz

I have something similar. The toggle switch for the bathroom fan/light is on the wall going into my bathroom. Inside the bathroom I have a similar timer switch, but it operates the heater portion of the fan. I assume it could be wired to a non-heating fan.




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Posts: 39695 | Location: SC Lowcountry/Cape Cod | Registered: November 22, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Thank you
Very little
Picture of HRK
posted Hide Post
B this is what we did with a motion detection switch in the mud room, the other switch kills the circuit, you just leave it in the on position and the motion (in your case timer) controls.
 
Posts: 25001 | Location: Gunshine State | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Optimistic Cynic
Picture of architect
posted Hide Post
If your requirement is to always have the fan run for a predetermined period, e.g. for 15 minutes after a shower, a timer connected in series with the fan rather than either switch might be a better option.
 
Posts: 7069 | Location: NoVA | Registered: July 22, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ammoholic
Picture of Skins2881
posted Hide Post
No you've named them all.

You could do a motion sensor, but that would leave it turning on whenever you walk in, not just when you shower. I wouldn't have a problem with that set up, but I leave my bathroom fan on 24/7 anyways. Plus if falls under option C) will cost about $30 for the switch.

Here's you other option C) - probably around $60:

3 way countdown timer.

Companion switch.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
 
Posts: 21411 | Location: Loudoun County, Virginia | Registered: December 27, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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