Switch LED Light Fixture to a Ceiling Fan - any mounting tips?
#1
04-26-20, 08:34 AM
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Switch LED Light Fixture to a Ceiling Fan - any mounting tips?
Hi - I am planning to swap out a couple of LED Light fixtures to be Ceiling Fans (plus LED light). I actually did the conversion from CFL fixture to LED Fixture in these same rooms several years back. Now with summer coming I need to keep these rooms cooler.
I am not so concerned about the electrical aspects - mostly looking for mounting tips to ensure the fans aren't noisy and wobbly. Any tips/mount-kits I should get to ensure a good, solid mount?
I am not so concerned about the electrical aspects - mostly looking for mounting tips to ensure the fans aren't noisy and wobbly. Any tips/mount-kits I should get to ensure a good, solid mount?
#4
04-26-20, 02:32 PM
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An experienced electrician can tell the difference.
You could post a picture or two for us....... How-to-insert-pictures.
You could post a picture or two for us....... How-to-insert-pictures.
#6
04-30-20, 06:52 AM
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Ok - attached an image of the existing box from down below.. I probably shoulda done a couple more but hopefully you guys can tell..
I tried to get up into the attic - these 2 bedrooms are in a section of the house where the attic is almost inaccessible - a gauntlet of electrical and HVAC stuff to get over there - I can already see that somebody half-squashed one of my bathroom exhaust ducts. I am really hoping I don't have to try to get over there - maybe if this electrical box isn't suitable for a fan I can get one of those cross-bar kits and install it from below ..
I tried to get up into the attic - these 2 bedrooms are in a section of the house where the attic is almost inaccessible - a gauntlet of electrical and HVAC stuff to get over there - I can already see that somebody half-squashed one of my bathroom exhaust ducts. I am really hoping I don't have to try to get over there - maybe if this electrical box isn't suitable for a fan I can get one of those cross-bar kits and install it from below ..
#8
04-30-20, 10:07 AM
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No.... that's not a fan rated box. It's called a 4" plastic nail on box.
4" plastic nail on box
In the picture.... the brown is the joist it's nailed to. You need to trim some of the sheetrock at the red arrow so that you can push the box into the ceiling at the red arrow and pry between the box and joist at the same time. The box will come off into the ceiling space.
Available at all home improvement stores....... Replacement fan rated box
4" plastic nail on box
In the picture.... the brown is the joist it's nailed to. You need to trim some of the sheetrock at the red arrow so that you can push the box into the ceiling at the red arrow and pry between the box and joist at the same time. The box will come off into the ceiling space.
Available at all home improvement stores....... Replacement fan rated box
#9
04-30-20, 11:15 AM
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Thanks PjMax - yeah I guess I shoulda pushed on it a bit to see where it is supported . I was kinda lazy and didn't kill the electrical .
So I should be able to install that without going into the attic I hope ( I have too many thumbs
)
So I should be able to install that without going into the attic I hope ( I have too many thumbs
)
#10
04-30-20, 02:39 PM
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Question for you guys - do you ever advocate using one of these for my use-case - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...0-OB/205383178 ?
I guess if the stud is right there I probably don't need that one, but thought I'd ask
I guess if the stud is right there I probably don't need that one, but thought I'd ask
#11
04-30-20, 03:29 PM
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I use that type of box all the time.
You need to check and see how close the junction can be installed towards the end.
You can get the bar up with no problem but sometimes the box has to be at least an inch or so away from the joist. That may be ok. It's no problem to open the ceiling up slightly but make sure the fan canopy covers the hole you make.
You need to check and see how close the junction can be installed towards the end.
You can get the bar up with no problem but sometimes the box has to be at least an inch or so away from the joist. That may be ok. It's no problem to open the ceiling up slightly but make sure the fan canopy covers the hole you make.
#12
05-02-20, 04:04 PM
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Thanks again PJ - gonna dig into this one and get a closer look to figure out which Fan Box to get.
Ok - so I have a second one in the adjacent room. This one looks like an ok Fan Box - it's been painted over but I can see that it reads 'For Fan Support' .. It feels pretty stable as well when I press on it from below. Take a look at my attached images and lemme know if I should stick with it or replace
Ok - so I have a second one in the adjacent room. This one looks like an ok Fan Box - it's been painted over but I can see that it reads 'For Fan Support' .. It feels pretty stable as well when I press on it from below. Take a look at my attached images and lemme know if I should stick with it or replace
#13
05-02-20, 04:54 PM
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Ok - pulled both of those boxes down to check it out:
Bedroom 1 - blue NON-fan box - looks like an actual support was put up there - you can see another 2x4 no more than 6" away. I guess this should be good enuf for a ceiling fan right?
Bedroom 2 - the one with the real fan-box - this one is lined up on the stud - though it only had the one screw in the middle going into the stud.
Bedroom 1 - blue NON-fan box - looks like an actual support was put up there - you can see another 2x4 no more than 6" away. I guess this should be good enuf for a ceiling fan right?
Bedroom 2 - the one with the real fan-box - this one is lined up on the stud - though it only had the one screw in the middle going into the stud.
#14
05-02-20, 05:24 PM
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Bedroom 2 is fine. the middle screw just holds the box in place. The fan will screw through the box and into the framing. This is the best support.
Bedroom 1 is not a fan box as you already know. Being so close to the framing that bracket should work but this box would be easier: Arlington | FBS1423 Product Information or https://www.homedepot.com/p/Madison-...BFAN/203343431
Bedroom 1 is not a fan box as you already know. Being so close to the framing that bracket should work but this box would be easier: Arlington | FBS1423 Product Information or https://www.homedepot.com/p/Madison-...BFAN/203343431
#15
05-02-20, 10:02 PM
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Thanks Tolyn - that makes sense for the bedroom 2.. Though for Bedroom 1 I believe I need to attach with screws directly straight up into that brace/stud. The stud is pretty much right above the existing hole so I am not sure how I'd do those angled screws to the side. Hope that makes sense
#16
05-03-20, 05:49 AM
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If there is framing directly above the existing hole in bedroom 1 something like this should work: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...B150/205383181
#17
05-03-20, 08:31 AM
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Yeah - there is framing - the photo I attached with the 2x4 directly above the hole is the one I am talking about. It is strange though cuz I can see another 2x4 very close - so this must have been framed especially for hanging stuff? And yeah I was looking at that exact same Fan box you recommended at Home Depot - thanks! BTW - strangely enuf the one I am replacing in that spot is rated for Fans according to the labeling - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-4...-SHK/100115858 . This commercial electric metal. one seems a lot more heavy duty though.
#18
05-03-20, 09:04 AM
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The plastic box you linked to is probably fan rated because the screw mounting bosses are a larger diameter for a larger screw.
#19
05-03-20, 11:17 AM
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BTW - strangely enuf the one I am replacing in that spot is rated for Fans according to the labeling - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-4...-SHK/100115858 .
#20
05-09-20, 08:10 AM
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Ok - got the fans and I am going thru the installs for both bedrooms - Bedroom 2, with the existing L-shaped bracket was not a problem.. For Bedroom 1 I am wrangling with the new steel Commercial Electric box - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...B150/205383181 .. Unfortunately the stud/brace (see Post #13 - first pic with the pencil marks) is not perfectly leveled, and so one side of the fan box isn't nicely flush with the ceiling.. Any tips on this one? I am thinking of trying to get some washers to place between the fan box and the stud (on one-side), and then maybe some longer wood screws for securing the fan box.
#21
05-09-20, 09:26 AM
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Does the box have to sit flush with the ceiling ?
Many don't and that's not usually a problem as the fan canopy has plenty of depth and coverage.
It wouldn't be a problem to shim the box but then the entire box will be below the ceiling.
Many don't and that's not usually a problem as the fan canopy has plenty of depth and coverage.
It wouldn't be a problem to shim the box but then the entire box will be below the ceiling.
#22
05-09-20, 06:59 PM
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Well - for the metal fan box I 'think' I need to get the fan harness/mount that hangs down to be nice and tight, correct? This fan harness/mount has some solid rubber pads so it can go right up against the drywall. But without the fan box being flush and level I am not sure to get a tight fit - I could get longer metal screws and let them come in at an angle a bit but
