High Exposure 5,668 Posted February 9, 2015 Ok, I want to install a new ceiling fan and light over our breakfast table. This is what we have there under the Sheetrock: (We snuck in and photographed everything before they closed the walls up). Will this light box handle it? I thought we spec'ed a ceiling fan box at this location but it does not look the same as the rest of them and I am dubious about its ability to hold a fan. If that box won't handle it, what are my options (excluding ripping through the Sheetrock)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike45 0 Posted February 9, 2015 That box is not a fan rated box, you will have to install a fan brace bar box that has to be installed after the fact. It's easy to do. The box basically gets hand tightned and the two ends of the bar get tight up against the beams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimmyAGR 54 Posted February 9, 2015 Something like this is what you want. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-RETRO-BRACE-with-2-1-8-in-Deep-Ceiling-Box-937/203743172?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD27E%7cElectrical&gclid=CIjRi_rj08MCFYklgQodPJgA7g&gclsrc=aw.ds Need to balance the weight out so it doesn't wobble. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted February 9, 2015 Something like this is what you want. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-RETRO-BRACE-with-2-1-8-in-Deep-Ceiling-Box-937/203743172?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD27E%7cElectrical&gclid=CIjRi_rj08MCFYklgQodPJgA7g&gclsrc=aw.ds Need to balance the weight out so it doesn't wobble. This. You need a brace with built in box that says "old work" or "renovation" or the like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
remixer 1,645 Posted February 9, 2015 Something like this is what you want. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-RETRO-BRACE-with-2-1-8-in-Deep-Ceiling-Box-937/203743172?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD27E%7cElectrical&gclid=CIjRi_rj08MCFYklgQodPJgA7g&gclsrc=aw.ds Need to balance the weight out so it doesn't wobble. Exactly. that box is correct. Only use the existing box if you hate those who are eating at that table. As there is a good chance it will decapitate them at some point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
siderman 1,138 Posted February 9, 2015 just keep in mind your joist isnt a solid 2x and the vertical web is recessed vs the bottem wood rail. you may need to shim the middle web of the joist so its flush with the bottem/wider part, depending on what bracket/box combo you use.. I'd use glue for the shims being you cant access to nail but thats just me. also keep in mind if you move the box the wiring may be short ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeteF 1,044 Posted February 9, 2015 When installing these fan boxes, DO NOT go nuts snuging them up. They can shift your joists causing sheetrock cracks and nail/screw head pops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke 5,504 Posted February 9, 2015 When installing these fan boxes, DO NOT go nuts snuging them up. They can shift your joists causing sheetrock cracks and nail/screw head pops.This is good advice. Fan bar, or don't even think about it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted February 9, 2015 Ok, I want to install a new ceiling fan and light over our breakfast table. This is what we have there under the Sheetrock: (We snuck in and photographed everything before they closed the walls up). Will this light box handle it? I thought we spec'ed a ceiling fan box at this location but it does not look the same as the rest of them and I am dubious about its ability to hold a fan. If that box won't handle it, what are my options (excluding ripping through the Sheetrock)? Dunno - that box looks a hell of a lot like this: http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Pass-Seymour-S1-20-JFAN-Slater-Round-Ceiling-Fan/367679 Which clearly is Fan Rated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mipafox 438 Posted February 9, 2015 Must be why my mom's fan has had a very slight wobble for the last 20 years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondd817 828 Posted February 10, 2015 That is a fan rated box. It will also hold a chandelier. You would be surprised just how strong that box is. Think of it as the Glock of electrical boxes. Grab a hold of it and yank at it to convince yourself. Just make sure not to grab any exposed copper wire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lecky 1 Posted February 10, 2015 I'm an electrician, that is a fan box, wouldn't be my first choice but it will do the job fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alec.mc 180 Posted February 10, 2015 Fan box, you can probably confirm by looking at the threaded section where the screws for the fan go in. If they are threaded all the way up , or a good portion, it's a fan box. Non fan rated boxed typically only have 1/4 -3/4 of threaded section Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJKen 23 Posted February 11, 2015 read that tag inside it. It looks like the new style 50lb box to me. The tag should have weight rating info on it. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silence Dogood 468 Posted February 12, 2015 Install it like this and you'll be fine: Seriously, although it is a fan box I'd replace with the braced box - it's not hard to do (old work) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,668 Posted February 14, 2015 Ok, here's the label in the box. What say the collective: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rightisright 3 Posted February 14, 2015 That box is fine if it is installed correctly. (Residential Contractor for 27 years). What really stresses boxes and can cause them them to loosen or crack the sheetrock around them is unbalanced fans. A good fan kit will come w. weighted balancing clips or shims. Use them if needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites