Mounting an extractor fan on a hinge

mrcheez

I need to install an extractor fan in my bathroom to be placed up at a small vertically-opening window.

For reasons I don't want to get into it's impossible to install a roof or wall mounted one, so please no questions about "why can't you install a wall/roof one"

I also can't replace the window... say it's a rented house or something, yeah that'll work

Anyway at the moment I have to drag in a pedestal fan to try and blow the moisture out, but I came up with the idea of buying an extractor fan and mounting it on a hinge up beside the window, then I can put it in place when I need it, and move it to the side when I want to use the window.

Something like:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/manrose-mg150bt-25w-ball-bearing-extractor-fan/99850

or

http://mag.ebmpapst.com/en/files/2014/04/2_AxiCool_fan_optional_hinge.jpg

reckon this would work? I'd get an electrician in to wire it all up of course.

Sleeper12

Double or single glazed

Edit sorry I see what you mean now.

mrcheez

Would an extractor fan up against an open window work (taking up half the window say), or do extractor fans only really work when they are mounted through a small hole in the wall and thus concentrating the airflow there?

I could always get two fans and mount on either side of the window, then link them up to the single on/off switch.

mrcheez

Another option I might have is to attach a plug to the extractor fan wiring and plug it into the outlet plugs in my bathroom mirror. Save me having to get an electrician in then.

The mirror has 120V and 240V plugs with US-style plugs. I use the 240V plug regularly, is it possible to get a 120V device with a US plug here, or do I need to order from the states?

Sleeper12

I can't see any advantage in placing an extractor fan over an open window. The breeze from the open window would be greater than the extraction from the fan. Or am I getting the setup wrong?

Hoagy

mrcheez wrote: »

Would an extractor fan up against an open window work (taking up half the window say), or do extractor fans only really work when they are mounted through a small hole in the wall and thus concentrating the airflow there?

I could always get two fans and mount on either side of the window, then link them up to the single on/off switch.

The fan will tend to circulate the air around in a loop, know as 'short circuiting'.
The only way to prevent that would be to block off the entire opening, say a piece of plywood with the fan in it.

Hoagy

mrcheez wrote: »

Another option I might have is to attach a plug to the extractor fan wiring and plug it into the outlet plugs in my bathroom mirror. Save me having to get an electrician in then.

The mirror has 120V and 240V plugs with US-style plugs. I use the 240V plug regularly, is it possible to get a 120V device with a US plug here, or do I need to order from the states?

You're in to safety issues here, the bathroom outlets are for shavers only. The fan would need to be permanently wired with an isolating switch outside the bathroom.

mrcheez

Sleeper12 wrote: »

I can't see any advantage in placing an extractor fan over an open window. The breeze from the open window would be greater than the extraction from the fan. Or am I getting the setup wrong?

It's great when there is a breeze, but as the house is east-west facing and the breeze is often southerly there are many times when the steam just builds up in the bathroom and has to be forced out.

Also surrounding building structure often contributes to little breeze coming through the bathroom.

mrcheez

Hoagy wrote: »

The fan will tend to circulate the air around in a loop, know as 'short circuiting'.
The only way to prevent that would be to block off the entire opening, say a piece of plywood with the fan in it.

That's certainly possible. Mount the fan in the plywood, then attach the hinges to the plywood and have a latch to secure it in both positions.

mrcheez

Hoagy wrote: »

You're in to safety issues here, the bathroom outlets are for shavers only. The fan would need to be permanently wired with an isolating switch outside the bathroom.

OK no worries, I can get an electrician to install it then.

M.T.D

You can get extractor fans designed to fit in a hole cut in the window glass.
These would work in hole cut in ply, perspex etc.
If you get one with a delay turn off, and get your electrician to wire into the ceiling light (if it is on a ring, else no live)

mrcheez

M.T.D wrote: »

You can get extractor fans designed to fit in a hole cut in the window glass.
These would work in hole cut in ply, perspex etc.
If you get one with a delay turn off, and get your electrician to wire into the ceiling light (if it is on a ring, else no live)

erm... read first post, not going to cut into glass thanks
(or replace window)

M.T.D

I read first post and did not suggest you cut your window

"These would work in hole cut in ply, perspex etc."

I mentioned the window extractors as they are neat looking and if you used perspex or white plastic (fascia board) to mount it on that would be less obtrusive as well.
I know if I fastened a piece of ply over a window and just bolted a fan to it I would get a lot of ear ache, so to me the extra few euro for a neat job would be worth the expense.

mrcheez

M.T.D wrote: »

I read first post and did not suggest you cut your window

"These would work in hole cut in ply, perspex etc."

I mentioned the window extractors as they are neat looking and if you used perspex or white plastic (fascia board) to mount it on that would be less obtrusive as well.
I know if I fastened a piece of ply over a window and just bolted a fan to it I would get a lot of ear ache, so to me the extra few euro for a neat job would be worth the expense.

Ah gotcha thanks, I misread that as cutting the glass