hanging a ceiling fan from a very tall ceiling

[iiipopes]

I used to live in a house that had the vaulted great-room ceiling, with the peak of the ceiling line being eleven feet, with an exposed beam, that also had never had a ceiling fixture of any kind through the beam, although the ceiling itself did have recessed can lighting (yes, 1970's construction, drywall complete with the blown "popcorn" ceiling). As I recall, I purchased a three-foot extension for not too much money, to get the fan down to the standard eight-foot ceiling height, went up in the attic, drilled through the beams for the extra wire I ran over to and tied into a wall switch, mounted the junction box in the attic and the fan support on the beam, and wired it in. The fan was not heavy, however, so a standard screwed-in bracket in the attic held everything secure, as I mounted it on top of the beam, not between ceiling joists, so the attic beam on top of the decorative beam took the load in compression on the beam, transferring the load to the vaulted ceiling joists downward to the wall studs, instead of by shear with screws between the joists.

When I turned it on, I stood where the fan blades would cross the light of the recessed cans, and I sighted the blades and figured out which ones were out of balance. I took coins and tape and experimented with placement on the blades, like old-fashioned automotive wheel balancing weights, until I got everything smooth in rotation.

[scottw]

It's a question of balance: either it is balanced or it is not. If it is fine with 8' extensions, the same should hold for an additional 2'. But--if it is off balance, the extra footage will exacerbate the problem to the point of danger. Turn it on slowly at first!

[Three Valves]

Have the cat help you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrI7mHVHlEc" target="_blank

[Dan Schultz]

Joe... I have a ceiling fan mounted within two feet of a sixteen foot high cathedral ceiling. I don't really think it matters one tiny bit whether it is where it or hanging lower. The air is going to move just the same.

[iiipopes]

Just like any lever, it may be more noticable with a longer pole, but as set forth above: it either is in balance or it isn't. the length of the pole, essentially being a one-ended axle, does not affect the balance, unless the mounting bracket to the fan housing is off-center.

The brackets on my concededly cheap fan were cast, not forged, so bending them to balance by air resistance over each blade was not an option.

[Dan Schultz]

.... When I change the rotation direction and speed for the seasons twice each year, I'd like to be able to use a stepladder instead of an extension ladder.

Well.... there's another thing to ponder. Which direction for which season... and how fast?
.

[scottw]

.... When I change the rotation direction and speed for the seasons twice each year, I'd like to be able to use a stepladder instead of an extension ladder.

Well.... there's another thing to ponder. Which direction for which season... and how fast?
.

Whatever you buy, make it a wireless remote unit!

[Three Valves]

Ah HA!!

A Global Warmer AND a Deforester!!

I suspected as much all along.

Why you...