How To Remove Wattage Limiters From New Ceiling Fans

As per the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all ceiling fans manufactured or imported into the United States must utilize a light bulb wattage limiter as of January 1, 2007. This limiter limits the capacity of the fan's light kit to a maximum of 40 watts per bulb. Not very bright at all! However, there IS a way to remove these limiters from your fans!

[@mrjameshollywood]

The lights were making a buzzing sound and did not work. After removing the limiter the work nice and brighter! Thank you for saving me money on a new one.

[@nimbus2121]

You're the man. My ceiling fan lights just broke and I've been having trouble trying to troubleshoot the problem. After using my multimeter to search for where the power stops, I came across this black box with some charred electronics board.... (MS80A). Been wondering if I need it, and it sounds like I don't. So thanks for the video! Hopefully my house doesn't burn down.

[@noahway13]

I had lights that were pulsing like car flashers. I tried everything else, then I did what the video here showed and the problem cleared up -- presto. Thanks.

[@paulclark8643]

Just went through this crap with a Casablanca (Hunter now owns them) fan where the always dim lamp finally went dark. Casablanca sold me a $50 Receiver saying that it was the wireless remote system that had failed, and at the same time, they conveniently forgot to mention that it might also be what they call a NO BYPASS ASSEMBLY which is really the VOLTAGE LIMITER that keeps the 100watt lamp at no more than 40watts. After giving up on Casablanca, using their own wiring diagrams ( which don't show the NO BYPASS ASSEMBLY) I was able to disconnect and remove it, and using the same connectors, reconnect the light directly. Now it works, and we have a full 100 watts of light available. Screw Casablanca and our government.

[@DominicThibodeau]

I totally dont understand why you have less like than dislike but i just want to say thanks it perfectly worked !

[@vadadofthr3357]

Thank you for your guidance. I recently purchased some small dimmable candelabra base LED bulbs to find that they flicker and blink badly when installed. Very little information on the internet other than poor advice that the bulbs are not dimmable. I took apart the fan giving me fits and found the wattage limiter (looked different than yours) cut it out and am operating happily with my bright two 4 watt LEDs. Ironic that you have to remove a device put in to save energy to save energy :).

[@riffdex]

I Just installed a Mojo II fan in my room. The lighting in this fan is laughably poor compared to the old lighting fixture I had. I was wondering if this model of ceiling fan has a limiter, and if removing it would help? Fan utilizes three 60 watt candelabra bulbs... Please help, any advice appreciated. Really don't want to take the fan down to remove the limited, unless it will actually make a noticeable difference.

[@deanfromkin984]

I have a Hunter Fan 42” Ashlyn, model# 21879 with 2 bulbs, candelabra base type. When I turned on wall light switch, lights flashed and went out. Replacement bulbs did not work. Called Factory and the technician stated that the problem was a wattage limiter. Unfortunately they no longer carry the part so they said I would have to replace the entire fan with a new one! Heck, this fan is only about 2 or 3 years old! I took a picture of the gray colored limiter. Id on it reads; CBB61, Part no.G0169-08. Rectangular in shape. On one end 2 gray wires enter and on the other end are 3 wires, brown, green and red. Any recommendations as to how to re-wire without using the limiter? For sure, I will not be investing money for an entirely new fan.

[@MoonLiteNite]

after 3 months of trying to fix my lights, i figured this out. Then i found this video after trying to figure out what the little box did... worthless piece of crap, lights worked for just about 1 year in a new house before that box had issues.

[@deborahhoke422]

This is a helpful video. Glad it was available. Not sure why people don't like it. I'm curious why that is the case.

[@whoisthisguy724]

I find the limiters useless on fans with light kits that take candelabra-base bulbs because the maximum you can go with candelabras is only 60 watts anyway...

[@wasetofkmt]

Great information. thanks much.