Installing a ceiling fan

[HomeBrewerDude]

I started to install a ceiling fan. There is a light fixture there already. The house is approx. 50 yrs old.

Problem number 1: Replacing the box for the existing fixture with a box and bracket designed for a ceiling fan.

This involved crawling up into the attic to access the pre-existing box and brace. The brace required a hacksaw, and the location is such that there is only 2 feet of space between the joyces and roof. Futhermore, its 110 degress up there.


Problem number 2: Light fixture and wall outlets are all wired together for this room (and two others!). Wiring is old, 2 wire in a flexible metal sheath.

I haven't quite decided how to address this. I will probably just leave the current wiring as is, but it is tempting to start the re-wiring project that has been floating around in my head for a while. This will involve running new wire to outlets, and putting ceiling fixtures on a different circuit.

UPDATE: I finished this project tonight. It actually works the way I wanted it too. The wall switch controls the light, and the fan can run independently of the wall switch and is controlled by the pull chain.

Cheers and Beer for ME!

 

[bleeb]

Good luck!

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Good luck!

I'll let you know if I kill myself. 😉

 

[So]

Pain in the ass, eh?

Perhaps you should install the fan in the ceiling instead. 😛

Seriously tho'. Have fun and don't fry yourself.

 

[MaxDepth]

Wait till you wire the fan assembly. The older models didn't have that convient hook to hang the fan while you wired, but it still requires some raised arm load for awhile.

Have fun!

"Are you gonna make it all 220?"
"220. 221. Whatever it takes."

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
Wait till you wire the fan assembly. The older models didn't have that convient hook to hang the fan while you wired, but it still requires some raised arm load for awhile.

Have fun!

"Are you gonna make it all 220?"
"220. 221. Whatever it takes."

bwauhahah

 

[txxxx]

Whatever your doing, just take your time. Key rule with DIY.

 

[jadinolf]

Good luck.

Been there, done that.

 

[Electric Amish]

I've been lucky enough that all my fan installs have been into boxes that would support them. 🙂

 

[SearchMaster]

Futhermore, its 110 degress up there.

Wow, it must be nice living in the North. I bet my attic is 140 right now.

 

[quentinterintino]

Yeah, fans are totally a pain in the ass. I installed mine atop my swivelling computer chair [in the dark because the power was off]. The fun part is trying to wire the fan while holding it up with the other arm!

Anywho, good luck - i'd recommend getting a buddy to help.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

UPDATE: I finished this project tonight. It actually works the way I wanted it too. The wall switch controls the light, and the fan can run independently of the wall switch and is controlled by the pull chain.

Cheers and Beer for ME!

 

[DrPizza]

congrats on the DIY 🙂

 

[Jamie571]

When I helped build my house I put 6 hunter ceiling fans in. It took about 13 to 15 hours in all. One of them was on a 16 foot tall ceiling. I also used a wall mounted speed control knob on all 5. I think its easier to install with new contruction because I used ceiling fan j-boxes that had the mounting studs already installed.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: Jamie571
When I helped build my house I put 6 hunter ceiling fans in. It took about 13 to 15 hours in all. One of them was on a 16 foot tall ceiling. I also used a wall mounted speed control knob on all 5. I think its easier to install with new contruction because I used ceiling fan j-boxes that had the mounting studs already installed.

yep. just getting the right box and brace up there took 60% of the time.

 

[thedarkwolf]

The trick is tie the fan to the box while you wire it up so you don't have to hold it.

 

[Ikonomi]

Sounds like you did a good job on the wiring.

:camera:s of the fan? 😀

 

[Squisher]

I live in a 80 year old house and have had to contend with all that you've had to go through.

Good job.

For future reference:

They do make ceiling fan brackets that can be installed through the electrical box hole. They are hex rods that have teeth on the end and expand to bite into the joice.

If you ever decide to wire one with the fan and light controls on the wall. Don't buy the dual switch that fits into the single gang opening. Install a dual gang switch box. Those switches are a lot more durable.

Always the easiest way to install a fan is to spend the money for a remote control. But, this is no good if it's the main lighting in the room.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm going to have to do this in a few rooms after the seller accepts my offer and I close at the end of the month. I get to upgrade the breaker to 200amp service, rewire the house, install ceiling fans, and replace the sheetrock on the outer walls to insulate better...

 

[whoiswes]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I'm going to have to do this in a few rooms after the seller accepts my offer and I close at the end of the month. I get to upgrade the breaker to 200amp service, rewire the house, install ceiling fans, and replace the sheetrock on the outer walls to insulate better...

sounds pretty much like what I'm doing to my house (although I don't have to - I just WANT to)...

if you end up replacing sheetrock, do yourself a favor and put new insulation up while the old stuff is down. sounds like you might be going that route, but sheetrock itself doesn't insulate worth crap. go pick up some R13 rolls from Lowe's (hate HD) - it'll cost you next to nothing and will make a big difference in the long run.

then again, you have already sold the house...