First time poster. I feel like I have researched everywhere and not found the answer I am looking for. I've called a few manufactures of ceiling fans who didn't have any answers either. I began searching the web and came across this website. I don't see any existing articles on this topic yet however.
My problem. I'm in a old rental unit that had a broken ceiling fan. The landlord is lazy but approved me replacing the ceiling fan myself. I've done about 6 before in a new house environment. However, what I ran into was I removed the existing ceiling fan and went to install the new one. I found that the existing junction box mounting screw holes are 2 and 3/4s(2.75) inches apart and the bracket from the new ceiling fan(Hunter) is about 3 and 1/4(3.25) inch apart and can adjust wider but not narrower. I did a lot of research and this does not seem to be a measurable characteristic on the data sheets. Hunter ceiling fans say all their fans are that way these days. The old ceiling fan does not have a make or model visible on it that i can tell. Seeing as how this is a rental and an old one at that, I do not want to replace the junction box.
My question is does anyone know if there are brands of ceiling fans out there that have a mounting bracket that can accommodate 2 and 3/4s(2.75) inches or an adapter kit that would help? I have attached a picture of the old bracket that fits(top) and the new bracket(bottom) that does not. Unfortunately, the new ceiling fan does not fit in that bracket either though. As you can see in the old one, it has a more accommodating screw sliding space for smaller junction boxes.
Thanks in advance!
Jloco
Best Answer
If your box is that small it is almost certain that it is not a fan rated box. If it is not, then the box MUST be replaced with a fan rated box.
Sorry, but even with approval, someone unlicensed, uninsured, and unqualified SHOULD NOT be doing electrical work in a place that they rent. This is a perfect example; something as "simple" as changing a ceiling fan turns into a project since the box has to be replaced, and in an older house this can be met with issues.