When installing a ceiling fan, first shut off the power to the light fixture and remove the shade and light bulb. Next, locate the 2 screws that are securing the light fixture to the electrical box. Loosen these screws by several turns. It's not normally necessary to remove these screws. Once loose, turn the fixture until the screw heads line-up with the holes. The fixture should then hang down exposing the wires. Unscrew the wire nuts to finish removing the light fixture.

Now take a close look at the electrical box. If your fortunate enough that your electrical box is secured to a rafter or some other solid support, then you can skip the rest of this article and go install your ceiling fan according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, if your mobile home is like most and you find that the only thing supporting your electrical box is your ceiling panel or sheetrock, then read-on.

You know that if you try hanging a ceiling fan from an unsupported electrical box, soon your fan will be kissing the floor. The best way to support a ceiling fan is to nail a 2x board between two rafters and attach your electrical box to that board. But, as you guessed, about the only way to do that is to tear apart your ceiling, and you don't want to do that. We do have another solution.

We have available a special bar which can be easily installed between the rafters to support a ceiling fan.

To install the bar, first remove the electrical box. Next, insert the bar up into the hole in the ceiling left by the electrical box. Center the bar over the hole and between the rafters. Turn the bar and it will begin to expand and soon tighten itself between the rafters. On the end of the bar are some big spikes that will dig into the rafters. Once you've hand-tightened the bar, give it a turn or two with a wrench. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN or you may spread your rafters causing damage to your ceiling or roof.

Along with the bar will be a u-bolt. Install this u-bolt over the bar, then run the electrical wire back through the electrical box, fasten the electrical box to the u-bolt and hang your ceiling fan according to the manufacturer's instructions.

You can order this nifty gadget clicking here.

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The Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade was compiled from the long time experience of Mark Bower, the owner of Aberdeen Home Repair. For years Mark has been one of the best known hands on men in the manufactured housing industry. Every day the crew of Aberdeen Home Repair is in the field taking care of manufactured home service requests.

Mark is also recognized for his manufactured home repair lecture and consulting services. Additionally Mark has participated in Federal Government MH projects sponsored by both HUD and FEMA and he has been called as an expert witness in lawsuits that required a full understanding of the complex systems that make up the modern manufactured home.

Available in print version and now also in e-book version for instant download.

David Oxhandler
mfdhousing@gmail.com