 Bathroom Exhaust (by Tom [MI]) Jan 13, 2021 2:15 PM
 Bathroom Exhaust (by RR78 [VA]) Jan 13, 2021 2:28 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by myob [GA]) Jan 13, 2021 2:49 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Laura [MD]) Jan 13, 2021 4:05 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by RB [MI]) Jan 13, 2021 4:08 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Jim in O C [CA]) Jan 13, 2021 4:23 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by small potatoes [NY]) Jan 13, 2021 4:27 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by PG [SC]) Jan 13, 2021 5:04 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by 6x6 [TN]) Jan 13, 2021 7:07 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Hoosier [IN]) Jan 13, 2021 7:09 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Larry [MN]) Jan 13, 2021 8:48 PM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Tom [MI]) Jan 14, 2021 7:54 AM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Dodge [PA]) Jan 14, 2021 7:57 AM
Bathroom Exhaust (by myob [GA]) Jan 14, 2021 11:51 AM
Bathroom Exhaust (by Tom [MI]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 2:15 PM
Message:
Bathroom exhaust stopped working in one of condo I own. I am not very comfortable with electric stuff but want to learn.
Can you please suggest some basic stuff to check before I call electrician?
--50.236.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 2:28 PM
Message:
Good chance it is the motor.
Most are just a popular brand builders grade.
One or 2 screws to remove the motor. Then it unplugs.
So first remove the cover and see if a model number. Then about as cheap to buy the whole unit. And take the motor out and put in the old one.
If not the motor you can always return it. --75.182.xx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 2:49 PM
Message:
When you take off the cover and see the motor and little fan do you see a power plug? Try spinning the fan with it on-- if you see it Trying to spin get some wd 40 with the red nozzle and spray the upper and lower bearing-- LIGHTLY.
Most motors are plugged in-- inside that vent box. The motor is on a plate and THAT plate can come off so you have the motor in hand. 2 screws.
When you get it down try plugging it in in different room on different circuit. If no spin- get new motor. When you change the motor make sure you do it unplugged!!!!!!
Very simple job. --99.103.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by Laura [MD]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 4:05 PM
Message:
Be sure to turn the power off at the circuit breaker before you begin. There are lots of youtube videos on this topic. --108.56.xxx.xx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 4:08 PM
Message:
Possible bad wall switch or lack of power to the switch ? --199.192.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by Jim in O C [CA]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 4:23 PM
Message:
The Majority of the time the motor has died. If you take the motor out and plug it into a wall socket it will probably confirm it’s the motor and you just have to replace it with a new one. Warning, keep your hands away from the blades, they won’t cut off your finger but they will slap it a couple of times. --99.23.xxx.x |
Bathroom Exhaust (by small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 4:27 PM
Message:
If you do have to or choose to replace the whole unit measure the opening dimensions in both directions. Make sure replacement unit is not larger than that or you will have to hack away at your ceiling. --24.194.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by PG [SC]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 5:04 PM
Message:
Turn the breaker off - may be the same circuit the light is on probably a single pole 20.
Remove the exhaust fan cover - look for loose connections - clean away dust and look for damaged parts - make sure the blade and motor turn freely - disconnect the plug coming from the motor - check for motor continuity with a multi meter - google for how to check for continuity.
Most of the time the motor is bad. Finding a replacement could be a problem.
Checking the wall switch may be something you should get some one else to do. --172.242.xx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 7:07 PM
Message:
The first thing that I would do is check the breaker.
The next thing that I would do is to see if there are any GFI outlets in the bathroom as it could be getting power through one of those.
If there are GFI outlets then test those and make sure that they are working.
If all of that is good then turn off the wall switch and remove the cover from the vent fan, then turn the switch back on and see if you can spin the fan and get it started. If not, then turn the switch back off and you should be able to pull the fan assembly from the housing and slowly lower it down and then you should be able to see a plug that you can just unplug it from the housing.
If you have a multi meter then you could check for power at the outlet in the housing where you unplugged the fan and turn on the switch to see if you have power at the outlet for the fan.
If you do not want to do that then you could carefully hold the fan with fingers out of the way and plug it into a working outlet to see if it works.
Now, you could blow the motor off with and clean it up first and you might be able to oil the bearings as some motors do have oil ports with removable plugs and if not then you can disassemble the motor to oil the bearing pads which look like cotton. However, use electric motor oil from 3in1 and NOT WD-40(sorry myob) as it is flammable and will cause a fire. Ask me how I know.
Here is a tool that will help you test things like this including wire in a safe manner and very easy to use and cost effective. You will wonder how you ever lived without it.
FLUKE-1AC-A1-II
If you do end up bying a new fan then do as small potatoes said and measure to get the correct size. --73.120.xx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 7:09 PM
Message:
Was it making noise previously? Sometimes they make noise before they seize. Turn the switch on, remove cover, pull the plug in the fixture, and use voltmeter to test for voltage at the plug. If voltage there, replace motor or entire fan assembly. As others say, try to get one the exact same size. When you remove the old one, be ready for a big mess...insulation will fall everywhere. --99.92.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by Larry [MN]) Posted on: Jan 13, 2021 8:48 PM
Message:
I replaced one recently. Check the brand. Likely Nutone. Get the specs off of it by taking the cover off and taking a photo of the sticker inside. Buy the same size at Home Depot and it's a pretty simple process of unplugging the old one and putting in the new one.
If it's not Nutone or really old you probably need an electrician. --73.164.xx.xx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by Tom [MI]) Posted on: Jan 14, 2021 7:54 AM
Message:
Wow, You guys are rockstars.
Thank You for saving me couple hundred bucks at least. I was able to take the exhaust dawn, clean it up , lubricate it and put it back up . It's working now. Slowly gaining confidence to do little things.
Thank You!
Myob
RR78
Jim in O C
RB
small potatoes
6x6
PG
Hoosier
Larry
--50.236.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by Dodge [PA]) Posted on: Jan 14, 2021 7:57 AM
Message:
It's a good idea to shop vac the dust off the fan at apt turnovers. --174.198.xxx.xxx |
Bathroom Exhaust (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Jan 14, 2021 11:51 AM
Message:
WD 40 with the little straw does the same thing on stove vent fans.
Now if you don't have this already-- wire the fan to come on when ever the light is on. --99.103.xxx.xxx |
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