Light indicator for extractor fan

[TNDU]

My FIL is hard of hearing so he can't hear the extractor fan turn on and off. He therefore leaves the fan on as he doesn't realise he hasn't switched it off!

He has an extractor fan that has a pull chord as shown in the attached photo. The fan doesn't have a timer.

You can see the isolation switch directly above the fan in the photo. I have added a red arrow to show the long pull chord on the fan, which turns the fan on and off.

Is there a simple way to add a light indicator to the arrangement so that he can see when the fan is on?

 

[pete01]

Could you alter the wiring so it comes on with the light?

 

[TNDU]

Could you alter the wiring so it comes on with the light?

it is in the kitchen so he turns it on when he is cooking. there is a cooker extractor fan but that doesn't have a vent to the outside so this one is used to extract air to the outside.

during the day time he doesn't need the light on in the kitchen and he may want to leave the fan running when the lights aren't on.

 

[CountryFan]

Could the switch be changed for one with an indicator lamp/led?

 

[TNDU]

Could the switch be changed for one with an indicator lamp/led?

if there was a switch, that would be the simplest way to put a light indicator in. unfortunately, the isolation switch is high up so you can't use it as an on/off switch.

one way would be to put an on/off switch in with a light indicator but that would mean running a new cable and putting in a new switch. i was wondering if there is a simpler solution.

the one using the kitchen lights suggested by pete01 may turn out to be the simplest solution and he will just have to have the kitchen lights on when he wants the fan on.

 

[pete01]

Or get a fan with an indicator light built into it.

 

[CountryFan]

if there was a switch, that would be the simplest way to put a light indicator in. unfortunately, the isolation switch is high up so you can't use it as an on/off switch.

one way would be to put an on/off switch in with a light indicator but that would mean running a new cable and putting in a new switch. i was wondering if there is a simpler solution.

Maybe change the fan for one with a lamp built in. I know my bathroom fan has one, Envirovent.

 

[opps]

You could fit an extractor fan with light

https://www.screwfix.com/p/sensio-100mm-axial-bathroom-shower-extractor-fan-kit-with-led-light-white-240v/746LC

 

[opps]

Or get a fan with an indicator light built into it.

Duh, you beat me to it.

 

[TNDU]

Or get a fan with an indicator light built into it.

yeah, this would be the simplest but most extractor fans don't have a light as it isn't a useful feature for an extractor fan. i want to avoid this being a restriction on what fan to get and it seems wasteful to throw the existing fan out when it works just fine.

the light on an extractor fan may also fail and you would need to buy a new fan simply because the light no longer works.

finding an extractor fan with a long enough chord is also not that simple!

 

[CountryFan]

I’m not an electrician, so not sure if it’s possible (@pete01?) maybe wire a switch with lamp in from existing switch then back to fan?

 

[TNDU]

You could fit an extractor fan with light

https://www.screwfix.com/p/sensio-100mm-axial-bathroom-shower-extractor-fan-kit-with-led-light-white-240v/746LC

that doesn't have a long pull chord though

 

[TNDU]

Maybe change the fan for one with a lamp built in. I know my bathroom fan has one, Envirovent.

i saw "envirovent" when I was looking at extractor fans. have you had experience using them?

 

[CountryFan]

i saw "envirovent" when I was looking at extractor fans. have you had experience using them?

Yes, I have 2 of them (main bathroom and en-suite), the latter gets used daily. Indicator lamp isn't that bright though.

 

[pete01]

I’m not an electrician, so not sure if it’s possible (@pete01?) maybe wire a switch with lamp in from existing switch then back to fan?

Yes something like this, might have chase down or a bit of trunking (maybe)