Aventa Inline Fan leaking at clips

[BuckshotLeFonque]

Hello kind people

We recently had an Aventa AV100T installed in the loft by a qualified electrician. The fan is leaking a small amount of water where the removable motor is attached to the main casing with two clips. I have checked very carefully that the water is not leaking from where the ducting is connected to the fan, or that it is condensation forming on the outside of the fan - it is definitely leaking from the two clips. The fan is angled down towards the vent in the outside wall, but also titled on its side by about 70 degrees or so. We have insulation around the ducting and it is held in place with jubilee clips. The water slowly continues dripping the next day. We have the fan speed and over-run time set to max and keep the fan on for a good 30 min or more after a shower anyway, and then still have the over-run after that. I have contacted the manufacturer, but despite repeated follow-ups have so far had no useful reply. Could this simply be a design issue with a fan that has a removable motor and no gasket/seal where it connects with the fan casing? Any ideas?

 

[stem]

It's difficult to get the correct perspective from the photos, but as the duct appears to slope away from the fan on both sides and is insulated, it seems that the water is condensation that is forming inside the fan itself where the moist bathroom air meets the cold casing. Insulating the fan itself may help.

If it persists, then the fan could be mounted vertically in the duct so that any water exits from the inlet and fitting a condensation trap below the fan would then catch it and allow it to drain away safely. A piece of rigid duct should connect the fan to the trap.

 

[blup]

Check the manufacturers instructions, they usually specify a minimum straight section of ducting into and from the unit. It may not be practical to change the location but might make the extraction less efficient thereby contributing to the build up of moisture. as it could be. Insulation should help, as should the loft temperature when it warms up

 

[BuckshotLeFonque]

Thank you stem - yes mounting it vertically was an option, but this means changing the installation and venting through the roof, which means considerable extra cost, and I don't think I will be able to find an electrician who knows how to properly fit a condensation trap that goes into the bathroom waste.

 

[BuckshotLeFonque]

Thank you blup, for your reply. I have actually spoken repeatedly to the manufacturer, and the current advice is to put silicon around the case where the leaks are. I have, through phoning up extractorfanworld, realised that we do not have enough of a gap (well no gap at all) under the bathroom door to let fresh air in, so that could be part of the cause.

 

[stem]

mounting it vertically was an option, but this means changing the installation and venting through the roof,

No it doesn't have to. The duct can go from the bathroom ceiling grille vertically for a short distance into the fan (via the condensate trap if appropriate) and then from the top of the fan flexible duct can go out through the eves or wall as it does now.

 

[BuckshotLeFonque]

No it doesn't have to. The duct can go from the bathroom ceiling grille vertically for a short distance into the fan (via the condensate trap if appropriate) and then from the top of the fan flexible duct can go out through the eves or wall as it does now.

View attachment 331547

Hi Stem - thank you indeed for that drawing. That would work with most houses, but unfortunately with the way our eaves are it's not possible - there just isn't quite enough space. Or maybe there is just enough space, but every electrician I had come to the house shook their head at the idea.

 

[stem]

Ah OK thanks, in the photo there looks to be enough room to rotate it. Must be an optical illusion.

 

[BuckshotLeFonque]

Ah OK thanks, in the photo there looks to be enough room to rotate it. Must be an optical illusion.

View attachment 331576

Apogogies for the slow response - I like your picture - thank you - yes I guess we could actually mount it vertically and still have it going out through the same vent as it is currently, it just wouldnt have worked going towards the eaves. Though will it stop the slow leak? But thank you indeed for the suggestion, very much appreciated.

 

[stem]

If condensation is forming inside the fan, changing the orientation of the fan won't stop it forming.

The idea is that any condensation that does form inside the fan will run down the vertical section of rigid pipe into which a condensation trap can be inserted. This would catch any water and allow it to be drained away.

 

[BuckshotLeFonque]

If condensation is forming inside the fan, changing the orientation of the fan won't stop it forming.

The idea is that any condensation that does form inside the fan will run down the vertical section of rigid pipe into which a condensation trap can be inserted. This would catch any water and allow it to be drained away.

Yes, indeed.