Bathroom extractor fan timer options

11fernsroad

Hi

Our bathroom extractor fan works fine except it stays on only for a minute.

Switch for the lights and extractor fan are outside the bathroom door.Extractor fan is inline type and well away from the vent.

Unfortunately to change the timing of the extractor fan we need to break open the otherwise perfect ceiling.

I was wondering if there was any sort of switch with delay timer option which could be a cheaper alternative than breaking the ceiling.

Lorian

Can you not access the inline fan from the loft? They really ought to be cleaned once in a while. 

11fernsroad

Lorian said:

Can you not access the inline fan from the loft? They really ought to be cleaned once in a while. 

it is first floor flat in 5 floor terraced building.

no loft space.

TadleyBaggie

Nothing fitted externally to the fan is going to be able to extend the "on" time, the fan is going to switch off as now.

Every inline fan I've ever seen has a removable cover that would affect the ceiling. Perhaps a picture might help visualise it.

ThisIsWeird

11fernsroad said:

Hi

Our bathroom extractor fan works fine except it stays on only for a minute.

Switch for the lights and extractor fan are outside the bathroom door.Extractor fan is inline type and well away from the vent.

Unfortunately to change the timing of the extractor fan we need to break open the otherwise perfect ceiling.

I was wondering if there was any sort of switch with delay timer option which could be a cheaper alternative than breaking the ceiling.

This is all a bit weird. If there is no loft, then to make this an in-line extractor would have been a strange move. Are you sure there isn't a communal area - a cupboard or access hatch, for example - where these fans can be found?

Are you 100% sure it's an in-line type?

Is there an isolating switch anywhere - this is usually like a large wide light switch, and might have a 'fan' symbol on it, and often located high on a wall - anything like that?

Have you tried removing the extractor grille, and seeing if access can be gained to the fan above?

Any idea of the make and model?

If you can get access to the isolating switch, then I think you should be able to add a separate timer like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/manrose-1351-remote-bathroom-fan-timer-control/83794? Since your extractor already appears to have a timer - although not timed for long enough - then the isolating switch should contain a Neutral, and Permanent Live, and a Switched Live. In which case, one of these external timers should be theoretically straightforward to fit, and you'd mount it adjacent to the isolating switch. However, what I don't know is whether this new timer would work happily with the existing timer in the fan! I think it should - the fan's own timer would simply receive a switching 'Live' as it currently does from the light switch, and then this would continue for, say, 5 minutes after the switch is turned off - the fan wouldn't find it any different to the light switch still being on. Pretty sure it should work.

Lorian

Wonder how it's mounted, could be quite noisy if it's just sat on a plasterboard ceiling. I mount these things on rubber bushes and attach away from the ceilings to keep them nice and quiet.

Where does it duct to and how far?

It's possible it has a speed setting too if you could access it