Software
Houzz Logo Print
mtvhike

Problems with a new (to me) house.

4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

We just moved into a new (to us) house in Winnetka, IL, and found several annoying things. Mostly, the previous owners took all remotes and documentation for the house.

1. Garage Door opener - it works with a pushbutton on the wall.

2. Ceiling fan - I spoke to a person at Lowes, and they said that most universal remotes would work. There is a wall switch which doesn't seem to do anything, so maybe that works in conjunction with a remote.

3. There are some undercabinet led strip lights which don't work.

4. Internet setup is confusing, but I think we've figured it out. There are 4 RG6 cables running to various ports, and, to use them, we would need a cable modem and router for each. We have gotten one to work. There are 3 Ethernet ports in each bedroom, but can't figure where they go.

When I sold my house, I had a whole box full of documentation about the house for the new owners.


The Realtor said the he would contact the previous owners, who moved to Texas but nothing so far.

Comments (16)

  • 4 years ago

    "1. Garage Door opener - it works with a pushbutton on the wall."

    Garage Door Keypads & Remotes

    3. There are some undercabinet led strip lights which don't work.

    Check that they don't have their own switches if they're controlled by a wall switch. Are they plug-in or hard-wired? Check that power is being delivered at the outlet or electrical box, respectively. If so, replace the lights. If not, figure out why no power is being delivered: (e.g., bad/disconnected switch, circuit breaker bad or off).

    4. Internet setup is confusing,..There are 4 RG6 cables running to various ports, and, to use them, we would need a cable modem and router for each.

    It's likely that the all the cables lead back to one place. You need to find out where that is. Cable modems -- you need one -- such as this Motorola MG7550 have multiple Ethernet jacks. If your cable modem doesn't have enough, attach an Ethernet switch such as this Linksys SE3008 to it. Or just forget all the cables and use wifi.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    1. You can get universal remotes and program it to your garage door opener. Often, you'll be able to find the manual online using the model # if that's necessary.


    2. Depends on the ceiling fan - especially if it's a Hunter, you'll probably need a specific Hunter remote (you can call the company of the ceiling fan to ask what's recommended).


    3. Can't help much here without more info


    4. You definitely don't need a modem/router for every coax port. You may need a cable box in the places with TV's, but I think most providers are switching to wireless boxes anyway. Did you have your provider over to get you setup?

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks, Ripped; good news from the RE agent - the previous owners are sending the remotes back!
    I looked carefully at the fan and can see no mfr or model number.
    The internet provider is Comcast and no cable TV service is planned.

  • 4 years ago

    Congrats, I thought your daughter was the one moving there?

  • 4 years ago

    My Hunter fan has the model/serial label on top of the motor.

  • 4 years ago

    @3onthetree - yes, you’re right. We are helping them move and get settled. We drove from NY almost two weeks ago for the final walkthrough and the closing and now they are moving from their old rental to the new house. We leave in three days and I doubt everything will be done.

  • 4 years ago

    @dadoes - I just got out a ladder to look at the top of the fan, but found nothing except a caution about mounting it at least 2 meters from the floor.


  • 4 years ago

    Take the light cover off, there should be at least the sticker/tag with the UL listing and manufacturer on it.

  • 4 years ago

    OK, I took the light cover off and here is a picture of what's there:


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Samsung ceiling fan at HD

    And holy cow your picture is the exact same perspective and angle as the marketing photo



  • 4 years ago

    Ha! Thanks. I was as HD yesterday and didn’t see any which looked like that!

  • 4 years ago

    3. Check for tripped breakers. If none found, call an electrician.

    4. You can use a tone signal sender to trace unenergized wires and see which is which. I agree with the comment - for a home network, one modem, one router. You may need ethernet hubs if there are a lot of wire runs but those are cheap.

    The alternative to fooling with ethernet connections is to rely on Wifi. Unless the house is monstrously huge or has very thick walls, it should work fine.


  • 4 years ago

    I opened the ceiling box from which the fan is suspended and checked the circuit with a non- contact tester, and the wall switch does control. the power. I then went to HD and confirmed the fan model, but they won't sell the remote control separately. So, we will just wait another month or so and see if the sellers do actually return the remote. In the worst case, the whole fan with remote was only $107 so I could just buy a new one for its remote.

  • 4 years ago

    Don't know if this is the correct remote, but available separate. Pricey because it has the transmitter too, maybe contacting Merwry direct can get just the remote. Whether it's worth the price is only if your daughter really loves that specific fan.

    Merwry remote at HD

Sponsored
More Discussions