Thanks, everyone, for the advice on rebuilding and installing relays to keep
heat down.

For what it's worth, I just double-checked and it's definitely got four
spade connectors -- not five. One other clue: the manufacturer's name --
INDAK -- is stamped on the top of the metal switch housing.

On 5/25/06, Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>
> Typically,  the speed control on fans is, as Mike notes, just a
> switch for the different positions. The temperature (thermostat) is
> usually just a rheostat. I.E. Variable ohm resistor. To get something
> functional, you should be able to substitute generics.
>
> Usually what goes bad is that rheostat. Either the contacts wear, or
> the oxidation on the contacts cause the metal to heat up and melt the
> plastic.
>
> On May 25, 2006, at 9:51 PM, Mike Collum wrote:
>
> > It's been awhile ... but thinking back ... the speed control is
> > simply a
> > switch ... no electronics onboard ... so a separate switch wouldn't
> > have
> > to be wired to the old one.  Just move wires.
>

-- 
Ray Reinhard