how to brace ceiling fan in drop ceiling

[kbkna]

I want to install a ceiling fan in my basement room. I have a drop ceiling about 12 inches. The floor joists are 16OC. What is the best way to brace the fan? Going from joist to joist with the brace in a "u" shape? Thanks for your input.

 

[dipper]

that's probably what i'd do, get some 3" deck screws and scrap 2x4's or 2x6's. Get one of the metal fan mount boxes and screw it right into the cross piece. Just measure carefully
so you get it at the right height.

 

[KYGTP]

I just did this in my basement and talked with the Co that installed it on how to do this. All that I did was get a 2x6 and measure the width of your track that your tile lays in. Cut the wood that that lenght, best to do the short side of the track if you have a2x4 tiles.

Now, where you want the fan, keep that tile in place and lay the 2x6 on TOP of the tile from up above. Then run screws in from the side through the track and then into you 2x6 on each side to secure it. I just used drywall screws, worked pretty good.

Now, from down below, just drill your hole for your wires to run though and just use the mount that comes with fan, since you will be running the screws into the 2x6 you just put up there.

I have had mine like this for about 6 month and the fan has never shut off and has worked great. The tracks for a drop ceiling are stronger than what most people think. This what the Install Co. does when people want fans in their basement.

I hope you understand, since I sometime do not describe thing very well

 

[Justin Kemp]

Decide where to put the fan. Then remove tiles from your suspended ceiling so you have free access to the joists above the suspended ceiling. With the power off, run electrical cable from your power source along the joist, securing it with cable staples. Above where you want the fan to be, mount a heavy-duty fan gang box, securing the metal cross brace between two to the ceiling joists. Then run the wire into the gang box. Wire the base of the ceiling fan to the fan gang box. Drop a plumb line down from the center of the mount, and measure it's position as it crosses the level of the suspended ceiling grid. Use your xacto knife to cut a hole in a suspended ceiling tile corresponding to the measurement you've just taken. Slip a ceiling fan extension tube through the hole and fish through the wiring that will run through the tube to the fan. Screw the tube into the fan base and mount the ceiling tile back in place. Mount the remainder of the fan to the extension tube. Turn the power back on and test operation of the ceiling fan.