Help please - new bathroom extractor fan install

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nbayley

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#299099 10-Aug-2022 19:16

Replacing existing manrose 150mm fan, still works but very noisy and not much flow.

Using new version of exactly the same thing, manrose 150mm fan from Bunnings, no timer, sensor, pullcord or anything fancy. Very simple, wired with a red and black, live and neutral. Switched from outside the bathroom, and using existing wiring.

Wired fan up exactly the same as old fan and... no go :-(

Put old fan back and goes.

Tried new fan again, double checked connections, all good, still no go.

Figured must be a dud, returned fan for a replacement.

Wired up 2nd new fan and... no go :-( :-(

Old fan still works if wired in the same way.

Am stumped. Any suggestions?

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#2953181 10-Aug-2022 19:34

Do you have a model number for the new fan?

Are you sure it doesn't have a built in timer? Some Manrose fans do.

nbayley

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#2953194 10-Aug-2022 20:28

This is the model: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/manrose-150mm-white-wall-ceiling-exhaust-fan_p0789529

No timer.

Jase2985

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#2953203 10-Aug-2022 21:05

sure the previous one wasnt a 12v one?

they look identical, part number is also very similar XF150LV vs XF150S

robjg63

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#2953287 11-Aug-2022 09:03

I replaced two ~20 year old Manrose fans (100mm) with the newer replacement model that looks just like yours.

It was 2 wires for the old fan and 2 wires for the new fans - they just worked.

The comments about 12v are certainly worth investigating.

Maybe the power feed into the fan wiring is going through a 12v transformer - Is there a model number sticker on your old fan?

12v to a 230v fan wont make it turn.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

wellygary

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#2953298 11-Aug-2022 09:24

You appear confident with DIY electrical work, so test the new fan by wiring it onto a regular power point somewhere else in the house,

if you have a spare 3 pin cord chop off the end and wire the plug on to it, that will show if the fan works on 240V,

Or if you don't have a spare cord, you can take socket off and wire it directly on

I'm leaning to the old fan being 12V, 2 DOA fans is unlikely...

timmmay

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#2953318 11-Aug-2022 10:12

In general you're probably better off getting something from Ming Fans or a local specialty store, you get a much more powerful fan (selectable to low speed) for a reasonable price. Get a decent sized inline fan and it should last 5 - 10 years.

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Jase2985

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#2953517 11-Aug-2022 14:38

@nbayley an update?

Jase2985

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#2953519 11-Aug-2022 14:40

timmmay:

In general you're probably better off getting something from Ming Fans or a local specialty store, you get a much more powerful fan (selectable to low speed) for a reasonable price. Get a decent sized inline fan and it should last 5 - 10 years.

likely wont be a straight drop in, and they dont do many through wall options (not sure what the OP has)

timmmay

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#2953542 11-Aug-2022 15:37

True, more complex, but possibly worthwhile long term. It's not through wall at all.

robjg63

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#2953544 11-Aug-2022 15:47

Mine were Manrose model FAN046 - the 100mm version of the OPs fan.

That fan just has a flange on the back that can either just nestle into a bit of PVC pipe already in the wall to the outside(like mine) , or be attached to some sort of flexi hose.

In any event, replacing like for like (albeit the newer model) is pretty foolproof - apart from maybe the wrong voltage.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

lxsw20

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#2953545 11-Aug-2022 15:48

It's not just about having a good fan, you've got to have good airflow coming into the room. If you create a vacuum, the fan won't do anything.

The easiest fix is to take a couple of cm off the bottom of the bathroom door to allow air from the rest of the house to flow through.

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gregmcc

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#2953588 11-Aug-2022 18:27

wellygary:

You appear confident with DIY electrical work, so test the new fan by wiring it onto a regular power point somewhere else in the house,

if you have a spare 3 pin cord chop off the end and wire the plug on to it, that will show if the fan works on 240V,

Or if you don't have a spare cord, you can take socket off and wire it directly on

I'm leaning to the old fan being 12V, 2 DOA fans is unlikely...

Confident and competent are 2 very different things, I'm confident I'm good at brain surgery, reality is I'm not competent at brain surgery. As for electrical work, figuring out why 2 brand new fans and one old fan are not working isn't too difficult, but taking a socket off a wall and hooking wires on to said fan is madness and anyone suggesting this should take a step back and have a sensible think about what they said.

Time to get an electrician involved here to see what is really going on, don't take any electrical advice from unqualified people.

nbayley

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#2953612 11-Aug-2022 19:51

Totally nailed it, old fan is 12v. Wasn't apparent to me, but should have been!

So if I can find the old transformer (hopefully not buried somewhere in the several meters of wall between the switch and fan) I can either swap it out along with a new 12v fan, or remove it and wire in the 240v fan I have. I suppose I could leave the old one there and add a new 12v fan but it seems you have to buy the fan and transformer as a kit, and as the old one transformer must be about 20yo feels like the best move to get it out of there.

Annoyingly Bunnings don't seem to sell the 12v version so I can't just go exchange it.

Location of fan is such that it should be ok to run 240v, it's 2.4m up and about 2m from the shower so no risk of water splashing on it unless someone uses a hose.

As to competence vs confidence, I am confident and competent to wire plugs, single way switches etc, but that's my limit and I'm sticking to it!

robjg63

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#2953618 11-Aug-2022 20:27

Glad you have it sussed now and thanks for the update.
Folks are always interested in how these things work out.
By the way...welcome to geekzone.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

mattwnz

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#2953645 11-Aug-2022 22:57

nbayley:

Totally nailed it, old fan is 12v. Wasn't apparent to me, but should have been!

I would have thought it would have had a label on it saying the specs and model number.

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