A friend wants to install a bedroom ceiling fan in a condo. There is
no electrical box at the location and there is a floor directly above
So, we're looking at options:

1 - Run wiring to it, but this will require cutting/patching drywall,
which means a lot of work, including repainting

2 - Using surface mount, raceway type setup

3 - Using a swag kit, which is basicly is a cord that plugs into a wall
outlet, then runs through hooks to the fan.

Will probably use a remote as the only control, which makes things
easier.

So, any opinions? Particularly any code issues regarding 2 or 3? I
didn;'t even know 3 was an option, but on the web I see fan shops
selling them.

wrote:

A friend wants to install a bedroom ceiling fan in a condo. There is
no electrical box at the location and there is a floor directly above
So, we're looking at options:

1 - Run wiring to it, but this will require cutting/patching drywall,
which means a lot of work, including repainting

2 - Using surface mount, raceway type setup

3 - Using a swag kit, which is basicly is a cord that plugs into a wall
outlet, then runs through hooks to the fan.

Will probably use a remote as the only control, which makes things
easier.

So, any opinions? Particularly any code issues regarding 2 or 3? I
didn;'t even know 3 was an option, but on the web I see fan shops
selling them.

Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?

Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.

On 10 Jul 2006 08:26:01 -0700, wrote:


Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.


Huh?

Is there a light with no electrical box?

tom

wrote:
Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.

I'm kind of in the same boat, re a friend's house, but the problem is
ensuring the existing box is sufficiently solidly anchored to hold up
the fan, without ripping apart the ceiling. Which has just been
painted, of course.

"z" wrote in message I'm kind of in the same
boat, re a friend's house, but the problem is
ensuring the existing box is sufficiently solidly anchored to hold up
the fan, without ripping apart the ceiling. Which has just been
painted, of course.

had a similar install problem. went ahead and opened the ceiling to
a 1 ft access 'circle'. Was able to provide secure anchoring for the
light fixture box. Hung fan using a circular trim plate with
decorative molding to cover the hole. Shop for the trim
cover plate before cutting ceiling hole.

lee h

"lee houston" wrote in message
y.com...
had a similar install problem. went ahead and opened the ceiling to
a 1 ft access 'circle'. Was able to provide secure anchoring for the
light fixture box. Hung fan using a circular trim plate with
decorative molding to cover the hole. Shop for the trim
cover plate before cutting ceiling hole.

If the light fixture box is nailed to the Side of a rafter, consider a
lag screw hook or eye into the rafter. go to a ceiling fan Store
for the hardware to adapt to ceiling fan. Still use a large circular
trim plate to cover the old box.

lee houston wrote:
"z" wrote in message I'm kind of in the same
boat, re a friend's house, but the problem is
ensuring the existing box is sufficiently solidly anchored to hold up
the fan, without ripping apart the ceiling. Which has just been
painted, of course.

had a similar install problem. went ahead and opened the ceiling to
a 1 ft access 'circle'. Was able to provide secure anchoring for the
light fixture box. Hung fan using a circular trim plate with
decorative molding to cover the hole. Shop for the trim
cover plate before cutting ceiling hole.

Oh yeah! I've seen them! Thanks!

On 10 Jul 2006 06:58:40 -0700, wrote:

A friend wants to install a bedroom ceiling fan in a condo. There is
no electrical box at the location and there is a floor directly above
So, we're looking at options:

1 - Run wiring to it, but this will require cutting/patching drywall,
which means a lot of work, including repainting

I'm a lazy no-goodnik, so this one is out.

2 - Using surface mount, raceway type setup

But I'm very picky, so unless it goes with the rest of the decor, this
is out. Heck, even if the place doesn't have decor, this is out if it
is decorable.

3 - Using a swag kit, which is basicly is a cord that plugs into a wall
outlet, then runs through hooks to the fan.

Sounds good to me.

Will probably use a remote as the only control, which makes things
easier.

So, any opinions? Particularly any code issues regarding 2 or 3? I
didn;'t even know 3 was an option, but on the web I see fan shops
selling them.

Tom The Great wrote:
On 10 Jul 2006 08:26:01 -0700, wrote:


Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.


Huh?

Is there a light with no electrical box?

tom


No, that was sarcasm to the reply that asked about "no light fixture in
the ceiling?", when I made it clear in the orignal post that there was
no existing electrical box and a floor above. Hence the question on
alternatives.

Tom The Great wrote:
On 10 Jul 2006 08:26:01 -0700, wrote:


Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.


Huh?

Is there a light with no electrical box?

tom


No, that was sarcasm to the reply that asked about "no light fixture in
the ceiling?", when I made it clear in the orignal post that there was
no existing electrical box and a floor above. Hence the question on
alternatives.

wrote:
A friend wants to install a bedroom ceiling fan in a condo. There is
no electrical box at the location and there is a floor directly above
So, we're looking at options:

1 - Run wiring to it, but this will require cutting/patching drywall,
which means a lot of work, including repainting

2 - Using surface mount, raceway type setup

3 - Using a swag kit, which is basicly is a cord that plugs into a wall
outlet, then runs through hooks to the fan.

Will probably use a remote as the only control, which makes things
easier.

So, any opinions? Particularly any code issues regarding 2 or 3? I
didn;'t even know 3 was an option, but on the web I see fan shops
selling them.

4- Here is how I have solved that problem many times...
It is not applicable in all instances.

Take the power from a receptacle on an interior wall from the room
above.
(The exterior walls' insulation causes problems.)

Cut a hole at the location for the ceiling fan.

Determine the direction that the ceiling joists are running.
You will be droping your 14/2 from upstairs into this "chase'.

Measure from the parallel outside wall to the center of your chase.
(lets' say it's a 12'X12' room and your measurement is 6')

Go to the room upstairs and measure 6', from the same exterior wall,
along the interior wall that is running perpendicular to the chase.
This is where you will drop your wire down into the ceiling below.

If the room above is a tiled bathroom, fagetaboutit.
If the room above is larger than the room below, fagetaboutit.
Smaller or the same size is good.

Locate a receptacle along that wall.

You may have to cut, drill and patch the wall to reach your drop point.

Drill a hole through the top plate.
Try to angle your hole in the direction of the ceiling fan.

Push your wire through the hole.
Jam six feet of wire down there.

Go back down stairs and fish your wire out of the hole for the ceiling
fan.
I use a stick of 1/2" pvc with a hook taped on it for this.

I hope that was clear enough.

lee houston wrote:

"z" wrote in message I'm kind of in the same
boat, re a friend's house, but the problem is

ensuring the existing box is sufficiently solidly anchored to hold up
the fan, without ripping apart the ceiling. Which has just been
painted, of course.


had a similar install problem. went ahead and opened the ceiling to
a 1 ft access 'circle'. Was able to provide secure anchoring for the
light fixture box. Hung fan using a circular trim plate with
decorative molding to cover the hole. Shop for the trim
cover plate before cutting ceiling hole.

lee h


Hi,
That was my idea and I did one install like that in my bathroom.
And the answer was sarcastic! Some openings can be cover by nice round
medallion.

What you do depends on how picky you are.

Option 3 is the simplest, but looks the worst with wire hanging. And
you would have to custom create a power cord to plug the ceiling fan
into a wall outlet (I'm assuming that's where you'll get your power)
which is risky.

Option 1 is a pain the backside, but ultimately the most permanent and
gives the best value to the room and the condo.

Option 2 is the best mix of ease and look - you can paint the raceway
to match the ceiling and you won't notice it as much.

On the other hand, if you DO have a light fixture there where you want
to put the fan (as it seems a later post indicates), you should check
to make sure the electric box is securely mounted before hanging a fan
from it. If it is, you're golden.

If it's not, you can get expansion boxes at your local hardware or
electrical supply store which have arms that extend to the side to
secure the box to the joists. You'll still have to do some
cut-and-patch, but again, this is your best option for the sake of
permanence and how it will look someday down the road when your friend
goes to sell the place.




wrote:
A friend wants to install a bedroom ceiling fan in a condo. There is
no electrical box at the location and there is a floor directly above
So, we're looking at options:

1 - Run wiring to it, but this will require cutting/patching drywall,
which means a lot of work, including repainting

2 - Using surface mount, raceway type setup

3 - Using a swag kit, which is basicly is a cord that plugs into a wall
outlet, then runs through hooks to the fan.

Will probably use a remote as the only control, which makes things
easier.

So, any opinions? Particularly any code issues regarding 2 or 3? I
didn;'t even know 3 was an option, but on the web I see fan shops
selling them.

wrote:
Tom The Great wrote:
On 10 Jul 2006 08:26:01 -0700, wrote:


Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.


Huh?

Is there a light with no electrical box?

tom


No, that was sarcasm to the reply that asked about "no light fixture in
the ceiling?", when I made it clear in the orignal post that there was
no existing electrical box and a floor above. Hence the question on
alternatives.


Aaah. It's hard to read sarcasm on Usenet sometimes. If it had been me
posting that, chances are pretty good it would have been not sarcastic,
and I'd be slapping my head going "dummy, dummy, dummy".

On 10 Jul 2006 17:12:32 -0700, wrote:


Tom The Great wrote:
On 10 Jul 2006 08:26:01 -0700, wrote:


Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.


Huh?

Is there a light with no electrical box?

tom


No, that was sarcasm to the reply that asked about "no light fixture in
the ceiling?", when I made it clear in the orignal post that there was
no existing electrical box and a floor above. Hence the question on
alternatives.


Ok.

IMHO, since I cannot see your setup.

I would trace out where the studs are, joists are, and the probable
location of a light switch. If there is already a switched outlet in
the room, there should be a switch. Take a feed off that.

As a suggestion, I would create a setup with dual swiches, meaning one
switch to operate the light, and the other for operating the fan.

Once your planning it out of the way, you are correct, you will be
cutting holes and pulling wire. Good luck.

later,

tom

On 11 Jul 2006 07:11:01 -0700, "z" wrote:


wrote:
Tom The Great wrote:
On 10 Jul 2006 08:26:01 -0700, wrote:


Tony Hwang wrote:


Hi,
No light fixture on the ceiling?


Yeah, there's one right there where the fan should go, staring me in
the face. That's why I said there is no electrical box and was
looking for alternatives. Geez.


Huh?

Is there a light with no electrical box?

tom


No, that was sarcasm to the reply that asked about "no light fixture in
the ceiling?", when I made it clear in the orignal post that there was
no existing electrical box and a floor above. Hence the question on
alternatives.


Aaah. It's hard to read sarcasm on Usenet sometimes. If it had been me
posting that, chances are pretty good it would have been not sarcastic,
and I'd be slapping my head going "dummy, dummy, dummy".

SDNWOTN. Sarcasm does not work on the net.

Kyle wrote:

On the other hand, if you DO have a light fixture there where you want
to put the fan (as it seems a later post indicates),

Fool.