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Replace ceiling light junction box with fan junction box

7 years ago

The bedroom light junction box is in an extremely hard to reach location in the attic where the roof slopes down. The attic itself is hands and knees height only. I have to stretch out on my stomach and can barely reach the box. The problem is the box is nailed to a ceiling joist (one nail) and I can't figure out how to install the fan box that can be installed from the underside since the hole is right beside the joist. Any ideas? Different ways of doing it?

Thank you.

Featured Answer

Bruce in Northern Virginia

7 years ago

First cut power to the ceiling box so you have no live wires. Then use a pliers to pull on each side of the box and figure out which side has the nail into a joist.. Use a reciprocating saw to cut right next to the outside of that side of the box and cut the nail off that is holding it (cut out just enough sheetrock for the blade to fit). Pull the box down and disconnect the wiring.

Remove the wiring plugs on the side of the new box and insert the power wires into the box. Install the new box using the manufacturers instructions and tighten in place. It is adjustable so it can slide and be installed anywhere along the bracket, and you should be able to install it right next to the joist, or within about 1/2" of the original box installation. This may require slight cutting of sheetrock again.

Use minimally expanding foam or putty to fill in the area around the box and seal it to the ceiling to prevent air infiltration from the attic. Wire up the new fan, which will have a base that is large enough cover the small areas you cut around the old box.

Bruce

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Comments (7)

User
7 years ago
Try a remodel ceiling fan box
klem1
7 years ago
I'll assume you know how to safly handle electric. You can leave old box in place and mount new box on joist. Big box sell's covers for this type install. A secound way is mount fan on a j hook and swag wire between old box and fan. Again,ask for nessary supplies at big box.
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harveyshot
Original Author
7 years ago
OK, thanks, but you lost me. The area in the attic where the junction box is located is inaccessible (to do any work) to anyone except a really really small person. All work will have to be done from the underside of the ceiling. I originally bought this http://www.homedepot.com/p/RETRO-BRACE-with-4-in-Round-Ceiling-Rated-Pan-1-1-2-in-Deep-with-1-2-in-KO-s-936/203743171 for the job but the old box/hole is right against the joist and the ends of the brace need to sit on the drywall.

My hopes are not to have to make another hole in the ceiling. I think I can enlarge the current hole a little and the fan base will cover it.

Googled J hook but didn't see anything that looked like it would apply.

Yes, I can safely work with electricity. I wired our kitchen during it's remodel. I will also be running a new cable for the fan/light combo so both can be operated from a wall switch instead of climbing on the bed to pull chains.
klem1
7 years ago
For the moment forget about existing box and mount a new one dead center of stud by running screws through rear of box,through drywall into stud. Now run electric from old to new,mount fan on new box, cover both boxes with deep metal cover plus large plastic disk that is made for this exact purpose. What's so hard about that?
harveyshot
Original Author
7 years ago
OK, but wouldn't that leave a considerable gap between the base of the fan and the ceiling? Can you provide a link to these items? "cover both boxes with deep metal cover plus large plastic disk that is made for this exact purpose"

Thank you.
harveyshot
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you. That's what I finally decided to do.

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