Hey all,
I searched the archive but couldn’t find the information I needed.
I have a Broan light/fan fixture that the fan has given out. I’ve bought the same model to replace it. I since found out that Broan changed the style of the outside box so I can’t just remove the inside motor mount plate and replace it with the new one. BTW. It was cheaper to buy an entire light/fan unit than all the replacement parts.
The fan/light is on the first floor and the fan box is entombed in the ceiling. What is the best way to do this with out completely destroying the ceiling? A little destruction is ok.
The other reason I’m asking is while shopping for this one. My sweetie spotted the decrative light/fans and wants to replace the working one. I know I’m going to have to remove that fan box.
Thanks in advance for any advice and help.
Len
Replies
Good for your wife. Now you can get a good quite Panasonic.
I agree with peteshalgor, the Panasonics are nice and quiet.
The cover should pop off and the box should be screwed into the ceiling somehow. I assume you've got the cover off - do you not see any screws?
There is no easy way. Worst job I can think of. I have scabbed on (added to) 2x4 or whatever size is needed to the joists and then screwed the new housing to that. You might need to use a piece of 2x4 that lays on top of the existing ceiling to screw into for the opposite side. Hooking up the hose is always a pain but you need to get the moist air vented outside.
hopefully you don't have blocking supporting the old unit....that could be areal PITA...
..most of the 3 or 4 hundred I installed I fastened directly to ####joist and, I would sometimes throw a block on the opposite side, which was usually fastened with LOTS of the carpenters nails.,or what ever screws I had in my pouch .
as most of those fans were"contractor grade" they were the cheapest crap sold , unless I was in a custom home......and then usually only the trim got fancy.....
I once pulled off an "orthoscopic" fan replacement for our downstairs bath. If you don't count the mark due to a slip of the utility knife it required no post-installation repairs.
It went like this:
Remove old unit by hook, crook, or sawzall. (In our case the new unit was slightly larger so I could enlarge the hole beforehand. But this is where the knife slipped.)
Install blocking to enable the new unit to be mounted with simple screws through the top/sides. This involves working inside the hole, installing a wood cross bracket using piffin screws, most likely.
Wire the unit. Hopefully there's enough slack in the old cable.
Add a small piece (maybe 6") of flex duct to the existing duct. May require cutting the existing duct short. Also, you may want to somehow anchor the loose end of the existing duct (shy of the flex) so it doesn't go AWOL or come apart.
Finally, notice that most units now come with a plastic funnel of sorts that makes the transition from the fan housing to the duct. This funnel snaps in from the outside of the unit. This is key to the whole scheme. Attach the flex to the funnel, tack the fan unit in place, and then (reaching into the unit) pull the funnel into place until it snaps. (Attaching some temporary straps to the funnel to assist in pulling may help here.)
Of course, remember that drywall is cheap. The main reason I went to the above work was to avoid redoing the texture on the ceiling.
happy?
Thanks for the tips. I'm sure this is going to be an adventure.
Oh wait. Now she wants to know if I can add some recessed fixtures too. Yes, dear...
..." add some recessed fixtures too. Yes, dear..." hahahah, I wrote this to Nuke yesterday,http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=68608.37....its too late Len......you're a goner.......
Maddog3,
I'm really glad this is just the laundry room with the cat box. That's why we need to fix the fan.
Enjoy,
Len
you're not out of the woods yet ........;>)
Might be time to explain to her that there are moments in life where a 'sweetie' swap comes into consideration also ;-)
I think next time I put a bath fan in I'm gonna buy a couple of extras and store 'em somewhere. That way when they give out I'll have some spare parts around so I don't have to go through this.
The secret of success is knowing whom to blame for your failures.
....yeah, good idea...... all you have to worry about is rememberin where you stashed em
Actually, the thing to do is to build a "cartridge" for the fan -- a plywood box containing the fan that can be removed while the fan is in place. Or at least surround the fan with a sort of access panel that can be removed and replaced easily (and new panels manufactured easily if the fan size changes).
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Hmmm....sound like those "more expensive repair parts" are looking more appealing when the overall scope of the project comes into play, no??
Bob
Yes, they sure do.
I was just looking at how I can cannibalize the new one so I don't have to tear out the old box. Of course, she won't get her recessed lights but she is usually pretty understanding.
Len
Where does the fan vent? If it vents through attic space or such, a remote fan can be attached and simply remove the guts of the old fan and leave the case intact. It will also be much quieter.
Just an update.
I figured out how to disassemble the fan plate from the housing. I was going to start cutting the ceiling but a little voice inside of me said go plug the old fan in. I did and found after the dust had settled that it was running just fine. So I plugged the new one in and ran them side by side and they both sounded the same.
Now I need to find out what that racket was when it was installed in the ceiling. That's a job for this weekend. In the meantime, my sweetie's happy because I didn't tear up the whole laundry room for months. So happy she baked me a fresh apple pie. Either that or she's just buttering me up for that bathroom remodel.
Ah well...
Thanks all for the help!
There's a "door" on the outlet of the box. It could be rattling. Otherwise, could be the ductwork rattling, or (worse) blowing around where it's come loose overhead.Also note that a fan will make more noise when obstructed -- make sure the ductwork isn't obstructed.Run the old fan for a good period of time -- 30-60 minutes. It may make more noise as it warms up. Examine the two fans to see if you can exchange a few parts and get the new motor to fit (maybe with a swap of the plugs).
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Thanks for the advice.
It turned out to be the screw that hung down to attach the reflector that was rattling. Or more accurately the clip nut. I screwed another nut on to cinch it down and viola no more rattling noise.
There was also a low rumble coming from it after I put the motor plate back in. I found by pushing against the side of the sheet metal box it would go away. So I bent the flanges back to apply more pressure to the sides and it went away too. If I have to ever replace the entire thing I'm going to use some deading tape on the outside of the box. You know the stuff you attach to the inside of your car doors so they don't vibrate when you blast the stereo.
It's a welcome fix because the cat box is in that room and for some reason the kids don't seem to clean it like their suppose to.
Now I can just kick back and enjoy the weekend. Shhh, don't tell my sweetie.
A cat box?
Better switch it out for a 900 CFM or better dust collector motor.
while you got the thing out drop a little lube on the bearings...
....just don't use 3-in-one,or WD-40...............the blades might be touching the shroud....?apple pie ,ummmmm, goodI think the edge of the woods just got a little farther away.......;>)