Problem Installing New Ceiling Fan on Sloped Ceiling


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Old 07-01-16, 08:02 PM
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Problem Installing New Ceiling Fan on Sloped Ceiling

I'm replacing a ceiling fan but can't figure out how to mount the new fan to the existing electrical box due to a larger bracket. Additionally, the electrical box might not be ceiling fan rated and I have no idea how to replace it.

First problem
As far as I can tell, there's a 4" electrical box which had a mud ring over it that the old ceiling fan bracket mounted into.

Ceiling box:

Mud ring + old bracket:


The problem is the new ceiling fan bracket is too big for the mud ring:

From what I understand, I could install the new bracket directly into the electrical box without the ring but the second complication is that the ceiling is sloped. If I install the new bracket along the eyelets, the bracket opening will be at a 45 degree angle and will no longer be point directly up slope, per instructions. Is that ok?

Second problem
I also understand that the electrical box might not be fan rated. How would I go about swapping it out for an proper one? I live in Chicago so code requires rigid metal conduit everywhere, making it difficult to do any electrical changes.

Second, the box is nailed directly to the wooden beam, so it doesn't seem like there's any clearance to use one of the adjustable bracket installations: https://www.amazon.com/Arlington-FBR.../dp/B006N2TVSQ
 
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Old 07-01-16, 09:15 PM
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Neither the plaster ring or the 4x4 box are fan rated and shouldn't be used. However you are very lucky you have something to screw a fan rated ceiling box to. You are also lucky you have only one piece of conduit into the 4x4 box so it should be easy to remove it.

Your challenge will be finding a fan rated metal box that will extend to the surface of the ceiling and patching the Sheetrock.

What is the distance from the beam to the top surface of the Sheetrock?
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:07 AM
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About 3/4"

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/HB5reNf.png" width="2124" height="1195"/>

What kind of box do I need? I looked at HD but can't find any which meets all of these criteria:

1. Mounts to wood on one side
2. Hole for conduit on the opposite side
3. Has horizontal mounting posts
4. Is metal
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:08 AM
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I agree with Ray in that you need a fan rated box. If you have normal depth from the edge of the sheetrock to the flat of the decking, then you can use one of these. We do need to know that measurement, however.

Name:  fan rated box 2.jpg
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Oops, forgot you have conduit. Back to the drawing board.
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:25 AM
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If I get a Saf-T-Bar mount link this, would it be possible to move the conduit to the right by 1/2 inch or so to get clearance for the bar?

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/sEmiORU.jpg" width="560" height="420"/>
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:41 AM
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What about this box?

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/XiHNl2g.jpg" width="500" height="524"/>

Arlington FBS1423 Specs

Seems like it should solve the side mount, conduit hole and fan rated requirements. However, it's mounting posts are not orientated correctly.

Additionally, how do I remove a electrical box which has conduit without moving the conduit itself? I can't find any instructions online for it.
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:53 AM
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Bingo. That is the box I wanted to post, but didn't have one in my files. You won't have the height to use the spanner bar, but the lower box is what you want to use. Mounting post orientation won't matter with a fan since it is round.

Remove the nut on the inside of the box holding the conduit male adapter, then unscrew it and pull it down and off the adapter.
 
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Old 07-02-16, 06:03 AM
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What do you mean with "Mounting post orientation won't matter with a fan since it is round."? I have a cathedral sloped ceiling and the ceiling fan instructions said I have to mount the bracket so the opening faces up slope. This means I need binding posts to be horizontal aka perpendicular to the wooden beam.
 
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Old 07-02-16, 06:24 AM
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You are correct. My mistake. Overlooked the slope. How much off is the orientation? 45 degrees?
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:10 PM
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How much off is the orientation? 45 degrees?
Yes although would that be ok?
 

Last edited by Weizilla; 07-02-16 at 04:31 PM.
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Old 07-02-16, 04:13 PM
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This box still has posts that are not oriented correctly with respect to the conduit. Plus there is only the wooden beam next to the existing electrical box. There's nothing behind it.
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:21 PM
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Plus there is only the wooden beam next to the existing electrical box.
So it is really a rafter or joist beside the box. Sorry I misunderstood you. The box has four knock outs and can be positioned four different ways so I guess I'm just totally not understanding you so I'm going to bow out on further comment. Apologies if my confusion confused you.
 
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Old 07-02-16, 04:30 PM
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It looks as if there is decking above the box, with a rafter to the left. That is why I suggested the sidwewards screws.
 
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Old 07-03-16, 06:49 AM
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It looks as if there is decking above the box, with a rafter to the left. That is why I suggested the sidwewards screws.
That's what I thought too but I poked through the holes and I think it's just paper or something back there.

Does this change what you recommend?
 
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Old 07-03-16, 10:04 AM
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Probably insulation vapor barrier. No change in advice to attach to rafter.
 
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Old 07-03-16, 10:05 AM
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Can you post the instructions for mounting the fan?normally the fan has a swivel arrangement that would let the fan hang plumb from a cathedral ceiling,or maybe I am missing something.
 
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Old 07-05-16, 05:20 AM
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Remove the nut on the inside of the box holding the conduit male adapter, then unscrew it and pull it down and off the adapter.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/QFdAZI6.jpg" width="2656" height="1494"/>

I've taken off the lock nut and a screw holding the adapter (?). What do I do now? The adapter (?) rotates but only a few turns in each direction. I can't pull the box out to the left because it's directly against the rafter in that direction. There is some wiggle room in the conduit but I'm not sure enough if it's enough to pull the whole box out of the wall.
 

Last edited by Weizilla; 07-05-16 at 06:30 AM.
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Old 07-05-16, 05:26 AM
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Can you post the instructions for mounting the fan?normally the fan has a swivel arrangement that would let the fan hang plumb from a cathedral ceiling,or maybe I am missing something.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/gfz1d7K.png" width="220" height="270"/>
 
 

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