I installed a new quiet exhaust fan for my DW and it is so quiet shw forgets to turn it off. So I would like to install a timer switch but have run into a problem.
The existing switch is in a box with a recepticle. Switch over recepticle.
Is there a timer that will fit in half a duplex box?
I don’t want to add a box if I don’t have to.
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Replies
Lowes has a nice selection. It'll fit nicely in a box in lieu of a switch. Some are preprogrammed, with you being able to reprogram, or little buttons to choose different times. But with these really quiet fans, you need them.
I've never seen what you want (a timer and outlet on the same yoke). Not to say that such a thing doesn't exist.
I thought maybe with these new digital timers there might be one. They could take up less room.
The single receptacle is used so I need to keep that.
Right now it is a single receptacle over/under a switch in a duplex box.
I might have to dig into the wall and see if I can put another box in.
The only other option I thought of was to put a motion sensor next to the fan in the ceiling.
Sounds like it'd be a lot easier to cut in a double gang box and have a more options.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Yeah, a good excuse to buy a MultiMaster.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
It's complicated I think. I'll have to look at what is behind the drywall. There might be a block wall.
And there is a bathroom cabinet covering most of the wall. Just about 5-6" between the cabinet and end of the wall.
I'm just lazy.
"Hello block wall, meet Mr. Hammer"
You coulda beeen done and packed up by now (G).Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
You can remove the cover plate and usually will be able to probe the area next to the box with a piece of wire.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
"Right now it is a single receptacle over/under a switch in a duplex box."What do you mean by duplex box, double-gang or single-gang?
BruceT
I get confused or interchange names in some electrical items.
The box is a single gang box. One you could put a duplex receptacle in.
Is that clear as mud. Some of these terms used in trades are unwieldy to me.
In the single gang box there is a switch over/ under a single receptacle.
The exhaust fan is switched there and the single receptacle is there primarily for hair dryers.
Change the box for a twin to give room for what you need. If you have no room sideways and a second box above or below the old box.
Where's the light switch? Can you put the switch-over-receptacle in the light switch box and a timer alone in the fan box?
Is a motion sensor a possibility? Here's a ceiling mounted one that might work for you.
http://www.elights.com/los2500.html
BruceT
Edited 3/13/2009 2:28 am by brucet9
There's only one box that is single gang. That's esentially the problem. I have to look at the backside of this wall and see if I can put another box in.
And whole I'm at it I'll put a nice size box in so I can put a GFI in it. Might as well as long as I'm at it. It will be the only one in the house.
Good plan.TFB (Bill)
"I have to look at the backside of this wall and see if I can put another box in."Good idea, but I must ask, what do you mean "look at the backside of this wall"? Is it not finished on the other side or is the bathroom side tiled so a stud finder won't work?You should be able to take off the cover and probe into the wall void with a wire inserted between the box and the surrounding wall material to determine if there is room for a bigger box. There will be a stud on one side but there may be considerable space on the other.Most "old work" boxes will work on walls up to about 1 1/8" thick, but if need be you can drill through the side of the box and screw it directly to the stud.BruceT
I might as well take a picture. The front side is a narrow strip between the medicine cabinet and a side wall. Maybe 6".
The back side is a block wall that separates the garage from the house. The house is a split level in a couple of places so there are a few masonry walls that intersect the house along it's long axis.
I still haven't figured out exactly what supports what. I do know that a few years ago they had a bout 4' of snow on the roof and the city inspector was called to look at the roof.
There were a couple of supports put in at that time. I'm not real happy with the overall design and integrity of the house but you get what you get.
and where is the GFCI?
There is no GFCI. There are none in the house. The whole house needs upgrading. Well, there are a few things that don't. But the electrical system is one that needs upgrading.
The bathroom where the outlet is needs upgrading. It is off a nice sized master bedroom and is 8' x8'. It's to small by todays standards.
After reading most of your posts, it came to me!
Why not install a surface double box, should give you the room you need. I have seen some ok looking ones at HD.
You might need to extend the wires into the new box.
Edited 3/14/2009 8:53 am ET by USAnigel
That is a good idea. I don't think it iwll look that bad where it is. It's kind of hidden by the medicine cabinet.
Thanks!
Like the others have said; it is easy to probe around the edges of the existing box with a wire to determine the amount of space you have next to the box. Try that first. That would allow installation of the timer switch, and a gfci. If you don't have room for a double gang box, you could install the ceiling mounted motion sensor, and install gfci breakers in the breaker box on the circuits to the kitchen and bath.
If you do go with a new or larger box, I've had good luck with these timers:
http://www.rewci.com/fandetisw.html
Switch it up, and the light and fan both stay on.
Switch in the middle, everything is off.
Switch it down, the light goes off and the fan stays on for 0 to 60 minutes (spin dial behind the cover is adjustable).
But you do need room. It probably eats up as much box space as a GFCI receptacle.
-t