To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Help adding a Ceiling Fan W/Power Outlet

6t7redvette

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
5
Location
CT
Want to use the existing ceiling power outlet which is used for the garage door opener to install a ceiling fan in the garage. Problem is still need to provide a power outlet to plug in the garage door opener into. How can this be done?
First time posting, any help will be appreciated.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

csp

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
5,719
Location
Franktown, CO
Are you trying to mount the fan to the outlet box? I hope not as it's not adequate support for a ceiling fan.
 

dslabuda

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 9, 2009
Messages
253
Location
NW Indiana
Want to use the existing ceiling power outlet which is used for the garage door opener to install a ceiling fan in the garage. Problem is still need to provide a power outlet to plug in the garage door opener into. How can this be done?
First time posting, any help will be appreciated.
If you have access to the joists above the ceiling install a fan rated box with proper bracing and run nm or conduit (depending on local codes) to the new box and install your fan. That leaves the original outlet in place and provides for a safe mount for your fan.

Barring sufficient access, what about an extension ring on the current outlet box to allow for surface mounted conduit to run to a exposed box screwed into the joist? I am not sure if that's code compliant for mounting a fan. Keep in mind I am not an electrician or expert, I'd wait for one of them to reply.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 

PoorOwner

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
5,032
Location
CA
You need to tap into the outlet for power and install a remodel fan box ( there are a couple style, one will extend 2 new arms to brace itself)


I am not a electrician but what's on the ceiling for the outlet isn't even the same kind of box to hold light fixtures (normally )
 
OP
6

6t7redvette

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
5
Location
CT
The plan is to hang the new ceiling fan from the existing ceiling box and some how add an outlet to plug the cord in from the garage door motor.
Assumed the ceiling box can hold a ceiling fan.
 
Last edited:

PoorOwner

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
5,032
Location
CA
The plan is to hang the new ceiling fan from the existing ceiling box and some how add an outlet to plug the cord in from the garage door motor.
Assumed the ceiling box can hold a ceiling fan.

Then you need to cut out the old box. put in a remodel fan box and also a remodel outlet box close to or away from the fan so your cord won't get in the fans way.
 
OP
6

6t7redvette

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
5
Location
CT
Then you need to cut out the old box. put in a remodel fan box and also a remodel outlet box close to or away from the fan so your cord won't get in the fans way.

Trying to avoid all the work of removing old box. Hoping to find a ceiling fan base with outlets on the sides.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

bzinsky

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 27, 2014
Messages
5,565
Trying to avoid all the work of removing old box. Hoping to find a ceiling fan base with outlets on the sides.

You're not going to find that. Don't think there's a big market for outlets above spinning blades
 

dw1

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Messages
1,335
Location
Ky
As others have stated "The box needs to be rated for the ceiling fan" you could get a 1/2" deep ceiling pan box, (mark the hole and cut the drywall) screw it on the bottom of the joist and run a wire (Romex) over to your outlet and tie it in, you could get a remote operated ceiling fan where you dont need a switch or use pull chains to turn it on, just hit the remote button.
 

Falcon67

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2009
Messages
18,371
Location
Merkel, TX
If you have access to the joists above the ceiling install a fan rated box with proper bracing and run nm or conduit (depending on local codes) to the new box and install your fan. That leaves the original outlet in place and provides for a safe mount for your fan.

This would be the easiest, using the fan pull string for on/off. That's how I use my shop ceiling fan - no wall switch.

Using the existing box may not that complicated if you have access above the ceiling. If the wires enter the box from the side, just cut and lay a 2x4 between the joists over the top of the box and secure to the joists. Then run a couple of pan head #12 screws with washers through the bottom of the outlet box up into the 2x4.
 

Mustang51js

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
1,734
Location
Haskell nj
Yeah they dont make ceiling fans with outlets on them,and how would you fit a fan in there without hitting parts of the garage door opener.
 

Dustball

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2011
Messages
2,081
Location
Hudson, WI
I mounted my ceiling fan directly to a ceiling joist in my garage, no box. I drilled a hole in the side of the canopy cover and installed a cord grip and ran an SO cord with a plug on the end of it along the surface of the ceiling to the GDO outlet and plugged it in.
 

Beemer533

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
2,057
Location
Syracuse, NY
This would be the easiest, using the fan pull string for on/off. That's how I use my shop ceiling fan - no wall switch.

Using the existing box may not that complicated if you have access above the ceiling. If the wires enter the box from the side, just cut and lay a 2x4 between the joists over the top of the box and secure to the joists. Then run a couple of pan head #12 screws with washers through the bottom of the outlet box up into the 2x4.

If the box is a plastic blue box, even adding a 2x4 won't do a whole lot as you would still be depending on the screws from the fan bracket into the plastic to hold the fan up...

I personally wouldn't feel all that comfortable with that.

If he can get access enough to add in a 2x4, might as well just put in the correct fan box and bracket.

Besides, they make retrofit fan boxes with brackets that you can install without any attic access. I've installed a couple and they work quite well..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/15-5-cu-in-Retrofit-Ceiling-Fan-Saf-T-Brace-0110000/204845572
 

Attachments

  • 17bc2dae-cfd9-414b-b3be-8e3614247604_1000.jpg
    17bc2dae-cfd9-414b-b3be-8e3614247604_1000.jpg
    17.6 KB · Views: 17
Last edited:

smedly

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Messages
403
Location
Savage, Mn
I mounted my ceiling fan directly to a ceiling joist in my garage, no box. I drilled a hole in the side of the canopy cover and installed a cord grip and ran an SO cord with a plug on the end of it along the surface of the ceiling to the GDO outlet and plugged it in.



^
I did the same. Took 15 minutes to finish and the fan was in a better spot not directly above the door when it's open.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

mnoeltne

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
772
Location
Grantsville, UT
Your existing ceiling box probably won't work for a fan. You could mount the fan up there, but in a year or two, one day you would be using it and it will fall out of the ceiling. The weight and vibration will just pull the box loose eventually.

Plus you would have a cord running over your fan blades. Not a good idea.

Personally the way I would do it is with Wiremold.

It's available from your local Lowes or HD. Get a surface mount outlet box which will drop your outlet for the garage door down an inch or two. It has cutouts on the side for raceway, so run one over to a good spot for the fan. Mount the round wiremold box for a fan directly to a joist for strength. Wire it up and mount the fan. Fairly easy. Looks nice. And it eliminates the problems with cords near fans, and with a fan mounted to a light duty box.
 
OP
6

6t7redvette

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
5
Location
CT
Your existing ceiling box probably won't work for a fan. You could mount the fan up there, but in a year or two, one day you would be using it and it will fall out of the ceiling. The weight and vibration will just pull the box loose eventually.

Plus you would have a cord running over your fan blades. Not a good idea.

Personally the way I would do it is with Wiremold.

It's available from your local Lowes or HD. Get a surface mount outlet box which will drop your outlet for the garage door down an inch or two. It has cutouts on the side for raceway, so run one over to a good spot for the fan. Mount the round wiremold box for a fan directly to a joist for strength. Wire it up and mount the fan. Fairly easy. Looks nice. And it eliminates the problems with cords near fans, and with a fan mounted to a light duty box.


Big Thanks. Wiremold was the way to go. :thumbup:
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom