Bathroom ceiling light & fan

[trackwelder]

Looking to see about purchasing or modifying a bathroom ceiling fan and light. Currently there is only one switch which turns the light and fan on together. I realize that a new wire should be run to control each function separately but that’s not going to happen right now. The fan in the current unit is not working so my thoughts were to wire in a pull chain switch on the hot side of the fan on a new unit. Just looking to control the moisture until I can rehab the bathroom next year.

 

[Jim greengo]

That sounds like lawyers ********* giving advise in that situation.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Any reason you can't run a separate line for the fan? Personally I wouldn't modify the existing fan and void the UL listing.

 

[LB-1911]

Looking to see about purchasing or modifying a bathroom ceiling fan and light. Currently there is only one switch which turns the light and fan on together. I realize that a new wire should be run to control each function separately but that’s not going to happen right now. The fan in the current unit is not working so my thoughts were to wire in a pull chain switch on the hot side of the fan on a new unit. Just looking to control the moisture until I can rehab the bathroom next year.

Prior to your rehab - spend some time looking around @ Westside Wholesale

 

[trackwelder]

Any reason you can't run a separate line for the fan? Personally I wouldn't modify the existing fan and void the UL listing.

The attic has a finished floor and the bathroom is tile and wallpaper. I don’t have the time to dedicate to finishing the project before the holidays are here. We have company staying over during the holidays and a unfinished bathroom won’t happen.

 

[Jim greengo]

How about just changing the fan motor in existing unit?

 

[trackwelder]

How about just changing the fan motor in existing unit?

Changing the fixture is no issue. With only one switch the light and fan run together. Makes for a cold bathroom in the winter.

I’m surprised that a fan light fixture with a pull chain or remote switch does not exist for a quicker retrofit for older homes.

 

[75gmck25]

If I understand the description for this fan, you can turn it on and off automatically based on humidity. However, I didn't go deep into the documentation. Panasonic makes good bath exhaust fans, and they have a lot of variations. Maybe one would work for you.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Panason...lector-50-80-or-110-CFM-FV-0511VQC1/303688953

Bruce

 

[jeepxj]

just get a panasonic fan/light combo and be done with it.

 

[trackwelder]

just get a panasonic fan/light combo and be done with it.

How are the fan and light controlled??

Again I am NOT interested in tearing into the wall and floor at this time.

 

[bwringer]

Motion sensor with a timer seems like a good solution here. It turns the light and fart fan on together, but also turns them off after a few minutes.

Keeps the bathroom reasonably fresh without wasting a lot of electricity and heat. This is what's in my guest bathroom.

 

[rjn2649]

In our second bathroom the fan and light come on together, never really seen it as a big problem.
I have seen OLD exhaust fans that where controlled by pull chain. Most (old) bathroom fans are nutone or braun (sp?) and have the same parts, I would take apart the old fan and see if parts from a cheap new one will fit w/o modification. Then add a pull chain switch you can get from a big box store. Just make sure you don't have drunkin morons over that will want to swing from the chain.

When it's time to dig in and replace, we have an exhaust fan that has a built in heater, it's great in the winter, we all love it. Got to run another circuit and a couple more control wires but I highly recommend it.

 

[trackwelder]

In our second bathroom the fan and light come on together, never really seen it as a big problem.
I have seen OLD exhaust fans that where controlled by pull chain. Most (old) bathroom fans are nutone or braun (sp?) and have the same parts, I would take apart the old fan and see if parts from a cheap new one will fit w/o modification. Then add a pull chain switch you can get from a big box store. Just make sure you don't have drunkin morons over that will want to swing from the chain.

When it's time to dig in and replace, we have an exhaust fan that has a built in heater, it's great in the winter, we all love it. Got to run another circuit and a couple more control wires but I highly recommend it.

It’s never been a problem for me. Now the other people who spend 45 minutes doing all their hair and makeup **** complain when the bathroom gets cold because the fan ***** all the heat out.

 

[Git]

I don't know all the facts - the size of the bathroom, how much moisture your actually dealing with, etc etc. But your original idea of installing a pull switch doesn't sound that far fetched to me... I mean these fan/light combo' are usually in the center of the room and it wouldn't be like you have to stand in the bathtub to turn the fan off...

So, Jim greengo what would be the big issue to make this a "lawyers *********" ?

I have used this switch before

 

[Worsedog]

I love this place and sometimes I hate it.

Do most of you misread the OP or just don't give af and need to say something whether it actually answers the question?

Git was the only one that actually answered what the OP asked.

 

[Marctrees]

your current fan motor - take it down, to workbench.. massage WD40 oil into bearings.. and chances are it will work..

If you can, follow up w light oil.

Usual failure of those is bearings getting gummed up.

Reinstall, put in switch git showed...

Properly, within the tiny Jbox.

String pull, not conductive ball chain, to reduce Lawyer excitation.

Done

Maybe I gave some Lawyer good wanking mat'l ?

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Motor should be VERY easy to remove, on it's own little cord plug for easy install/ replace.

Just remove the beauty cover and look and you will see.

Marc

 

[trackwelder]

I don't know all the facts - the size of the bathroom, how much moisture your actually dealing with, etc etc. But your original idea of installing a pull switch doesn't sound that far fetched to me... I mean these fan/light combo' are usually in the center of the room and it wouldn't be like you have to stand in the bathtub to turn the fan off...

So, Jim greengo what would be the big issue to make this a "lawyers *********" ?

I have used this switch before

Thanks for the link. The fan motor seized up a few weeks ago. I do have another unit that will fit in the opening perfectly. In the spring the bathroom is getting gutted and rewired.

 

[Marctrees]

ya, just saying...

Changing out the housing is a huge PIA and totally unnessesary.

First of, your exist motor can almost always be given an extension of life w a little lubin.

Second...

Unless you originally had a rare oddball unit installed, you can easily find a new unit that you take the guts out of, and insert very simply in your existing mounted housing.

Quite a bit of universal fit exchange between brands on those things.

Marc

 

[Git]

The switch I linked to is one I used for some ceiling lights and I would not know if it was 'beefy' enough for your fan motor. It is rated for 3 amps

They do make ones with higher amp ratings, for example here is a link to a 6 amp switch for about the same price

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002N7CD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Marctrees]

The fan motors used in the common basic bath fans are a minuscule load, any normal sw will be fine.

Marc

 

[Evan(CA)]

How are the fan and light controlled??

Again I am NOT interested in tearing into the wall and floor at this time.

The fan and light can be tied to the same switch leg. Panasonic Whisper Quiets are all I use as a professional electrician. Nutone makes junk.

 

[Marctrees]

I'm pretty sure they are on the same sw leg, that's why he is talking about separating it.

Nutone was the standard US upgrade for many many years.

Many good products.

Quite a strong erroneous comment to say.

Marc

 

[tfi racing]

I'm pretty sure they are on the same sw leg, that's why he is talking about separating it.

Nutone was the standard US upgrade for many many years.

Many good products.

Quite a strong erroneous comment to say.

Marc

No error at all. Nutone is basic builder grade junk.

 

[Jim greengo]

I love this place and sometimes I hate it.

Do most of you misread the OP or just don't give af and need to say something whether it actually answers the question?

Git was the only one that actually answered what the OP asked.

so,do you have any experiance with actual building codes or UL listings?
Just wondering.

 

[Worsedog]

so,do you have any experiance with actual building codes or UL listings?
Just wondering.

No. And it does not matter. The question was asking for a temporary solution to a temporary problem.

It is not intended to be permanent. Yes it could be sketchy or with a modicum of care it would be a safe enough TEMPORARY solution.

 

[Falcon67]

Just do like they did for our house - use that other bare copper wire as the switch leg for the light.

 

[Git]

Just do like they did for our house - use that other bare copper wire as the switch leg for the light.

lol


but, but, but - did they violate the UL listing of the light?

 

[Worsedog]

Just do like they did for our house - use that other bare copper wire as the switch leg for the light.

lol


but, but, but - did they violate the UL listing of the light?

And don't forget the code police right there to make an arrest

 

[rburke65]

Why can you not replace the fan/light unit? Is the something I’m missing here?

 

[Worsedog]

Why can you not replace the fan/light unit? Is the something I’m missing here?

Something about guest and construction timing.

 

[Jim greengo]

No. And it does not matter. The question was asking for a temporary solution to a temporary problem.

It is not intended to be permanent. Yes it could be sketchy or with a modicum of care it would be a safe enough TEMPORARY solution.

And when something goes wrong or somebody gets hurt it's not going to matter if it was temp or not,so yes it does matter!
What kind of work do you do for a living?

 

[Marctrees]

How in the heck is someone gonna get hurt from installing a Leviton pull string sw in the little j box cover and leading the string through a hole in the plastic vent cover. ???

Marc

 

[Jim greengo]

And don't forget the code police right there to make an arrest

Pound sand you freaking hack,you can keep the California 3 way.
When your house trailer burns down make sure to tell them it doesn't matter,it was only temporary.
Some of us are actual licensed contractors who have a clue of how stuff is supposed to be done.

 

[Jim greengo]

How in the heck is someone gonna get hurt from installing a Leviton pull string sw in the little j box cover and leading the string through a hole in the plastic vent cover. ???

Marc

well if it shorts out and starts a fire be sure to tell em marctress said it was ok to do it that way,who needs building codes anyway.

 

[Jim greengo]

Marctrees:Yeah that extra bare wire is a ground wire around these parts.
California 3ways,have been around since before I've been doing this.
Doesn't make them right.
I'll just sit back and let some of the time life book/ u tube electricians tell people how to bootleg wiring,plumbing and HVAC projects.

 

[Marctrees]

Previous post deleted to not confuse any future reader.

Marc

 

[Git]

Pound sand you freaking hack,you can keep the California 3 way.
When your house trailer burns down make sure to tell them it doesn't matter,it was only temporary.
Some of us are actual licensed contractors who have a clue of how stuff is supposed to be done.

dude - seems like your wound a little tight....

It looks like you used to be a contractor. Perhaps you're used to 'scaring' your customers to jack up the bid but it seems to me your getting a little carried away

First of all, stop with the insults just because people don't agree with you

Secondly, if you do have a valid reason why someone should not install a switch like we have been talking about, by all means, go for it. Tell us why. But just don't use the old 'your house will burn down' unless you do it my way because I use to be an expert.....

get real. you basically derailed this entire thread with your first post about 'lawyers'

 

[trackwelder]

dude - seems like your wound a little tight....

It looks like you used to be a contractor. Perhaps you're used to 'scaring' your customers to jack up the bid but it seems to me your getting a little carried away

First of all, stop with the insults just because people don't agree with you

Secondly, if you do have a valid reason why someone should not install a switch like we have been talking about, by all means, go for it. Tell us why. But just don't use the old 'your house will burn down' unless you do it my way because I use to be an expert.....

get real. you basically derailed this entire thread with your first post about 'lawyers'

Well said!!! The pull chain should be here tommorow. I’m quite handy and just wanted to run it by the guys here for a possible better solution. A nice Panasonic unit is going to replace it this spring. I’m always ready to hear any valid safety reason in any task, luckily none have been raised. Thanks for all the input and please let’s keep this civil.

 

[cstmg8]

Re: Bathroom ceiling light & fan

Another option would be to pick up one of the remote control boxes made for a real ceiling fan. Intended for this purpose, may need to add a box onto your unit depending on the existing fixture.