Replace light with fan?

[flightlead404]

I want to replace several of the ceiling mounted swiveling lights that don't get used, with 12v fans that are sorely needed.

I'm not talking about the flush mounted "dome" lamps, but the silver metal swiveling reading lamps.

Has anyone done anything like this or have any recommendations?

 

[jssailem]

You have the wiring there. Should be a straight forward project. Will need to to have a decent place to mount the fan. Make sure you can move/point the fan to where you want the air. Also it is nice to have room for the fan to get air to blow. Placing a fan in a corner against a bulkhead will hamper the goal of air circulation.

 

[Tally Ho]

Caframo fans are very good. I have 2 on my boat. Quiet but powerful.

Greg

 

[jssailem]

I like the Sirocco II model.

 

[kbgunn]

Should be straight forward. The only question would be how much vibration the fan would create. There is a quarter-inch plywood backer behind these lights. There are cutouts in the plywood. It is not one solid piece. The lights twist off and have a plastic bracket screwed to the backer board. The wiring has crimp on bullet connectors so it would be easy to swap the light for the fan. Pic below is what you will find behind the light and headliner. These were taken when replacing the headliner material.

 

[Sailgunner]

I just added fans adjacent to the lights and used the same wiring used for the lights.

 

[flightlead404]

Thanks guys esp kbgunn for the pics. We're pushing off from Hilton Head in a week so hopefully its a job I'll be able to complete on the hook in the keys over the winter.