Discuss installing/testing variable speed draft fan control switch in the DIY Electrical Advice area at ElectriciansForums.net

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thook44

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hello there,
i have Jensen 24a wood furnace and it needs a new switch. the manual calls it the "rheostat", but it's like any other variable speed controller with two wires. I bought two inexpensive ones off ebay only to find they are labeled as dimmer switches though they were advertised for wood stove blowers/fans. this switch is to control the draft/stoker fan and neither of the two will activate it. so, I set about testing them with my ohm meter and I get no continuity or resistance with the switch turned on. I thought maybe they're just lemons, but I then tested a brand new ceiling fan wall switch and same thing....no continuity. I have some practical working knowledge and experience with installing and troubleshooting electrical systems with 120/240 and 12v, so I know how to use my meter. I just don't understand why I'm not getting continuity. are these type switches not like any other type switches? seems unlikely all three of these would be bad

thanks, matthew

ps. I realize the reason for the stoker not activating might be due to something else, but want to start by understanding what I'm seeing with the switches
 
hello there,
i have Jensen 24a wood furnace and it needs a new switch. the manual calls it the "rheostat", but it's like any other variable speed controller with two wires. I bought two inexpensive ones off ebay only to find they are labeled as dimmer switches though they were advertised for wood stove blowers/fans. this switch is to control the draft/stoker fan and neither of the two will activate it. so, I set about testing them with my ohm meter and I get no continuity or resistance with the switch turned on. I thought maybe they're just lemons, but I then tested a brand new ceiling fan wall switch and same thing....no continuity. I have some practical working knowledge and experience with installing and troubleshooting electrical systems with 120/240 and 12v, so I know how to use my meter. I just don't understand why I'm not getting continuity. are these type switches not like any other type switches? seems unlikely all three of these would be bad

thanks, matthew

ps. I realize the reason for the stoker not activating might be due to something else, but want to start by understanding what I'm seeing with the switches
Take your rheostat to your local electrical parts house and buy the right one
 
Take your rheostat to your local electrical parts house and buy the right one
thanks for the reply. turns out, though, these type of switches will not get an ohm reading. iow's, what i was getting...or not getting...is normal. so, i don't need a new switch. and, as it turns out, the part of the control box that the rheostat switch is wired to was bad though other parts of the control were still good...ie. it would run the big distribution fan that didn't require a switch. i replaced the control and now it all works. anyway, again, thanks for the reply
 
thanks for the reply. turns out, though, these type of switches will not get an ohm reading. iow's, what i was getting...or not getting...is normal. so, i don't need a new switch. and, as it turns out, the part of the control box that the rheostat switch is wired to was bad though other parts of the control were still good...ie. it would run the big distribution fan that didn't require a switch. i replaced the control and now it all works. anyway, again, thanks for the reply
Your welcome my friend and you come back now hear
 

Reply to installing/testing variable speed draft fan control switch in the DIY Electrical Advice area at ElectriciansForums.net

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