ENERLITES 3 Speed Ceiling Fan Control and LED Dimmer Light Switch, 2.5A Single Pole Light Fan Switch, 300W Incandescent Load, No Neutral Wire Required, 17001-F3-W, White

Why I swapped to a dual‑slider fan/light control

I replaced a tired dual-dial controller in my home office with the Enerlites dual-slider fan/light control and immediately appreciated how much function you can pack into a single-gang opening. I wanted simple, mechanical control over a 3-speed pull-chain fan and a dimmer for a set of dimmable LED bulbs without running a neutral. This unit checked the right boxes: no-neutral wiring, three fan speeds, and a forward-phase dimmer with a positive off “click” at the bottom of the light slider.

Build, layout, and first impressions

The face is plain white polycarbonate—sturdy, easy to wipe down, and matched well with my existing decorator plates (note: the wall plate is sold separately). The sliders are slim but distinct enough to operate by feel. The fan slider moves through three detented positions; the light slider is continuous and clicks off at the very end of its travel. That tactile click is more than a novelty—it gives a reliable off state without hunting for the exact bottom of the range in the dark.

One small quirk: on my unit, the fan’s high speed is at the bottom of the slider and low is at the top. Once I remembered the orientation, it was second nature, but if you’re conditioned to “up for more,” it takes a day or two to recalibrate.

The body is a bit chunky compared to a basic toggle switch, which matters when you have a crowded box. The leads are prewired and clearly labeled, which made the install faster, but you’ll still want to manage wire folds carefully.

Installation: straightforward, with a couple caveats

This is a line-voltage control and should be installed with the breaker off. If you’re replacing an existing fan/light combo controller, expect a clean swap. If you’re converting from a single control or a simple switch, you’ll need separate switched legs from the switch box to the fan (one for the motor, one for the light). Without two switched conductors to the ceiling, no dual control will work.

What I did:

• Identified line/hot, neutral bundle, ground, and the two switched legs. In my setup, black fed the light and red fed the fan, but color isn’t guaranteed—test to be sure.
• Confirmed the fan is a mechanical pull-chain model (no built-in remote receiver and no DC/ECM motor). This control is for 3-speed AC fans with pull chains.
• Set the fan’s pull chain to high and left it there. The wall control then handles speed.
• Made all splices with appropriately sized wirenuts and a proper pigtail to ground.
• Folded the conductors back in a zig-zag pattern to make room for the deeper body. In a shallow or overfilled box, consider a deeper box or an extension ring.

Because the dimmer doesn’t require a neutral, it’s a simple hot-in/hot-out arrangement for both the fan and light circuits. That’s great for older homes, but it also means the dimming method is a standard forward-phase (triac) approach—more on why that matters below.

Electrical limits are sensible: 2.5 A max on the fan (typical ceiling fans are well under 1 A) and 300 W for incandescent on the light side. For LEDs, the wattage headroom is ample in practical terms, but bulb compatibility is the real story.

Dimming performance with LEDs

I paired the dimmer with five medium-base dimmable LED lamps. The range is broad enough for general use, and the slider feels linear. At normal settings, the lights are stable and responsive. At the very bottom of the range—just above the click-off—some LEDs will show a faint shimmer or occasional micro-flicker. That’s expected behavior for a forward-phase dimmer paired with certain LED driver designs, especially when there’s no low-end trim adjustment.

A few practical tips that worked well for me:

• Choose bulbs that are clearly labeled “dimmable,” and if the manufacturer publishes a dimmer compatibility list, check it.
• If you see shimmer at ultra-low levels, bump the slider slightly up; the instability often disappears immediately.
• Mixing bulb models in the same fixture can cause uneven dimming; match lamps for best results.
• If you still see nuisance flicker, try a different LED line—compatibility varies more than you’d think.

The positive click-off on the light slider is a highlight. It makes it easy to shut the light completely off without overshooting. Response lag was minimal, and I didn’t notice audible buzzing from the lamps at typical brightness levels.

Fan control: three real-world speeds

The fan side offers three solid steps. With my mid-sized ceiling fan, low is a gentle circulation speed, medium is the everyday setting, and high is a good airflow boost for hot afternoons. As with any stepped controller, the spacing between speeds is partly dictated by the fan’s internal windings; some fans will have a very slow low speed, while others will present a more even spread. The control didn’t introduce hum on my fan, and the transitions between speeds were predictable.

Remember that this is not a variable-speed, continuously adjustable controller—it’s designed for fans built for three discrete speeds via pull chain. It’s also not intended for fans that use remote receivers in the canopy or for DC motor designs. If your fan came with a remote or a proprietary wall control, you’ll likely want a brand-specific replacement, not a generic three-speed control like this.

Everyday usability

This dual-slider layout shines in daily use. I can slide the light down to off with one finger and nudge the fan to medium without looking. The sliders have enough resistance to avoid accidental change but aren’t stiff. The absence of a locator light might be a plus or a minus depending on preference; personally, I prefer dark switches in bedrooms and offices.

Aesthetically, it’s understated. If you care about a coordinated look, plan on a matching decorator wall plate. The white finish blends in well with common trim and paint choices. The thermoplastic face should resist scuffs, and it doesn’t have the flimsy feel of bargain-bin combos.

Limitations to consider

• LED compatibility: As with any forward-phase dimmer, success with LEDs depends on the lamp’s driver. There’s no low-end trim adjustment on the device, so final low-level performance is at the mercy of your bulb choice.
• Box fill: The body is deeper than a simple switch. In older shallow boxes stuffed with splices, installation can be tight.
• Fan orientation: With high at the bottom and low at the top, the fan slider orientation may feel backward to some users.
• Use case: This is for three-speed, pull-chain fans—no remotes, no DC/ECM motors, and no variable-type fans.
• Rated loads: 2.5 A max for the fan and 300 W incandescent on the light side. For LEDs, total wattage is rarely an issue, but respect manufacturer guidance.
• No “smart” features: If you want app control, schedules, or voice integration, this isn’t that product.

What I’d like to see improved

A low-end trim dial for the dimmer would help tune the minimum level for finicky LED combinations. A reversible or reconfigurable fan slider orientation would also be welcome to align with common “up for more” instincts. A slightly shallower body would improve compatibility with cramped boxes. Finally, offering color options or an included wall plate would simplify matching existing decor.

The bottom line

The Enerlites dual-slider fan/light control is a practical, tidy solution for rooms with a mechanical three-speed fan and a multi-lamp light kit. Installation is approachable for a careful DIYer, the tactile “click-off” on the light slider is genuinely useful, and the three fan speeds behave as expected. With the right dimmable LEDs, the light output is smooth and stable across a broad range.

You’ll want to make sure your fan is the right type (pull-chain, AC motor), your wall box has enough room, and your LED lamps play nicely with forward-phase dimming. If you check those boxes, this switch does exactly what it promises without fuss.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone looking to consolidate fan and light control into a single gang and keep things simple and reliable. It’s a strong fit for retrofits in older homes without a neutral, and for users who prefer straightforward physical controls over app-based systems. If your setup demands ultra-low, flicker-free LED dimming with trim adjustments, or you have a smart/remote fan, look elsewhere; otherwise, this is a clean, well-executed upgrade.