Bathroom extractor fan running slow

KennyPowers · 16 May 2021

Hi all,

Our bathroom extractor fan started playing up, intermittently running and at a very slow/quiet speed.

I took the cover off the bottom, and cleaned out the dust I could reach (was quiet a bit), but the fan blades still only turn at a very slow speed, sometimes not at all.

I seem to recall I fitted the fan only a couple of years ago, so probably not knackered yet.

Is it worth me going into loft to pull the trunking off to clean the dust from the top as well? Apart from dust clogging up, the o my other thing could be the motor (as it is exposed to moisture etc)

Any ideas appreciated

Cheers

(The pic below is after I cleaned the dust from what I could reach. Before that it was caked in pretty thick grey fluff!)

SFK · 16 May 2021

KennyPowers said:
fitted the fan only a couple of years ago, so probably not knackered yet.

Often the capacitors. But they look okay.
No serviaceble parts.
It is Not possible to clean bearings if clogged with dust.
Sorry to say I believe you need to buy a new one.

Always good to get rid of dust from tube when you buy a new as improves flow, reduces back pressure on fan, and allows it to remove more moisture.

Note that it might be more than a couple of years.
Date code 2615 means it was manufactured on 26th week of 2015 (=22June2015). So likely you fitted it 5 and a half years ago.

https://www.google.com/search?q=vas...motorola-rev2&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

JohnD · 16 May 2021

it might be the motor bearings that are clogged.

modern, better-quality fans now have ball-bearing motors, making more durable, quieter, and more efficient.

Soler & Palau are the best I know, but their subsidiary company, Envirovent, SIL100T, are sometimes available at lower prices.

Looking at the wiring I think yours is a Timer fan, though somebody has cut off the earthwire from the incoming cable.

KennyPowers · 16 May 2021

I don't know if I'd call 5 years a long time? But I guess it gets a lot of run time and on/off switching. It's a timer fan connected to a pir switch, which also does the light.

So probably not worth hooking the dust from the topside of fan then, more looking at just replacing the whole unit?

Cheers.

SFK · 16 May 2021

Agreed, 5yrs is not long enough.
But that amount of dust will effect its life.

The T in its product code and the variable resistor suggested it was the timer version.

From distant memory with that fan you can change the speed with the jumper. (see J1).

Move the jumper position and see if that makes it go faster or slower.

Sorry to say that I would buy the identical one simply because wiring will be in same place and though same holes.
Sfk

KennyPowers · 16 May 2021

But been reading some of the reviews on Screwfix for my model, and they do say reliability is not great https://www.screwfix.com/p/vent-axi...oom-extractor-fan-with-timer-white-240v/260hv

Might replace it with a simpler one, like the Manrose?

Cheers.

JohnD · 16 May 2021

Even worse quality.

KennyPowers · 16 May 2021

It would appear that there are newer versions of the Vent-Axia model I have, perhaps with more reliable electronics.

I noticed the newer ones have a 5 year warranty versus the older 2 years one. They seem a bit more confident they will last longer perhaps.

JohnD · 16 May 2021

I already mentioned a really good-quality fan.

Bite the bullet.

When you get a good one you will be surprised at the difference.

You may still be able to get one at half price here.

Pete the Feet · 16 May 2021

I installed a Vent Axia bathroom ceiling fan in my previous house years ago. The Timer model had a plug in module different to yours but I lost count of the timer modules I replaced. The amount of steam and damp in the tiny bulkhead bathroom was most likely the issue. When it worked it shifted some air but it wasn't the most reliable fan that I had come across.

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Bathroom extractor fan running slow

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