would i be able to control my remote control ceiling fan with a Universal Remote?

im looking into buying a universal remote for use with my entire room (receiver, dvd player, cable box, PC, etc)

i am wondering... do you guys think these universal remotes would be able to control my remote control ceiling fan as well? LOL


thanks

If it is a learning capable remote, I would be willing to guess yes. Some IR commands (particularly for non-A/V items) however are not recognizable by learning remotes. Best answer anyone can give you: try it.

thanks!

has anyone else had success in doing this? details pleeease

well, what model ceiling fan is it and is the remote IR (infrared) or RF (Radio Frequency)? IR will have a black casing at the top or what looks like a little black light bulb...

It's the Hampton Bay - Redington IV 52" Ceiling Fan, it says 6 way remote control included (havn't opened it yet). The box doesn't say anything.

I can't find out which it is for sure, but from reading some posts on a Google search I would guess it's RF.

I'm guessing there is a difference between the two and how compatible they are with universal remotes. Can you please explain so when I find out what it is I can have the info? THANKS

For remote controls, there are basically two kinds: RF and IR

RF is "radio frequency" and uses an actual radio signal (like an r/c car) to send commands to the device. This does not require a "line of sight" from the remote to the receiving device.

IR is "infra red" -- the type of remote used for most home electronics (most...). It sends signals to the device using a beam of infrared light and must have an unobstructed path ("line of sight") from the remote to the receiver.

There are several remotes that will do both RF and IR, but they cost substantially more than IR only remotes.

Good Luck!
-q

thank you very much

Of course, like any other kind of light, IR reflects off things. Your direct line of sight might, then, involve bank shots through reflections and refractions.

For AV equipment, there's something of a de facto standard for how commands and data are encoded onto the carrier. Other controls and appliances might or might not follow that standard; if not, your learning remote may or may not be able to replicate the signal. Lutron equipment typically does--but that doesn't help much, since your fan vendor probably used their own circuit.

One of the cool things abour IR is you can get these little glass or something triangles that you set around your house, and the beam reflects off of them. My uncle controls his stereo that's upstairs while he's playing the drums downstairs.

I know if you had a awesome remote, like an RTI remote, it would work flawlessly. But I don't know if a 'Universal Remote' brand learning remote would do it or not. I bet if I asked my Dad I could stop by his place and try it out