New Bathroom Extractor Fan Smell

[Crinkmeister]

I had a new Vortice Lineo extractor fitted in the bathroom above the bath a few weeks ago. The installation was done by a registered electrician, so I know it was done correctly. Problem is that when the fan is started up for the morning's first shower, there is a smell - fishy. Now it's not the electric shower because the smell occurs without the shower being turned on and I've checked all the shower cables and double pole isolator and no sign of overheating . It seems to need steam to make it start ponging. If I go and run the fan on its own - no smell. Is there something going on inside the fan when it gets steamy? It's vented out through a wall vent. Trunking is the plastic type. Any ideas - anyone had this before?

Apologies if I posted this in the wrong section. Should it be in DIY, even though I didn't DI myself?

 

[davesparks]

Have you called the installer to get their advice

 

[dingledong]

Is this in a flat or house ?

 

[Crinkmeister]

I am waiting for the installer to come round. It is in a house - upstairs bathroom.

 

[Richard Burns]

I would say a fishy smell is often indicative of burning / overheating plastic, so ti amy be an idea to put your hand against the fan casing and see if it feels warm. A possible cause may be a loose connection or a blocked outlet on the fan, I might favour the second one because any smell from the fan should be vented outside.

 

[vernam616]

Loose connection or loose connection within the motor as a manufacturing problem

 

[Adam W]

I'll second what Richard said - a fishy smell indicates overheating plastic.

 

[dingledong]

Or some one is not wearing deodorant

 

[telectrix]

Or some one is not wearing deodorant

don't use it. rather smell like me than a brothel.

 

[dingledong]

Mate you wanna try bacon roll smelling deoderent

 

[Swcfisher]

I've been to a few poorly fitted fans most of the time when its due to a smell its usually the duct hasn't been installed correctly and stagnant water has collected. The steam cools in the duct turns to water.

 

[PEG]

I had a new Vortice Lineo extractor fitted in the bathroom above the bath a few weeks ago. The installation was done by a registered electrician, so I know it was done correctly. Problem is that when the fan is started up for the morning's first shower, there is a smell - fishy. Now it's not the electric shower because the smell occurs without the shower being turned on and I've checked all the shower cables and double pole isolator and no sign of overheating . It seems to need steam to make it start ponging. If I go and run the fan on its own - no smell. Is there something going on inside the fan when it gets steamy? It's vented out through a wall vent. Trunking is the plastic type. Any ideas - anyone had this before?

Apologies if I posted this in the wrong section. Should it be in DIY, even though I didn't DI myself?

Evening,to the OP,just in reference to the above...One thing,does NOT mean the other.No disrespect intended to the said person,but if i had a teaspoon of tehina,for every time an investigation of a problem,started with those words,i'd have a LOT of hummus...:conehead:

 

[Crinkmeister]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm going to check it out tomorrow and I'll report back.

 

[Knobhead]

The guy knows this is DIY, why can't a new member ellect to go straight in there?

 

[Crinkmeister]

The guy knows this is DIY, why can't a new member ellect to go straight in there?

Fair point sir! I was unsure where to post as I did not install the fan myself. Sorry if I got it wrong :cry_smile:

 

[Crinkmeister]

OK - problem solved. Turns out the fan was innocent after all. Guilty culprit was the ceiling mounted shower DP isolator. Surprising since this hasn't been touched for > 2 years and my Mk 1 funny smell detector (nose!) did not pick this up when my son first reported the pong over a week ago. Today, I noticed some slight discoloration on the isolator body. Switched off supply and removed switch to find supply neutral connection rather black with some insulation damage on the cable. I would say that the screw was not tight enough as it came undone rather too easily for my liking. Cut cable back to sound material, replaced earth sleeving, bought new switch and Robert's your mothers brother. Happy days, but I missed the Russian GP!! Thanks for your comments.

Sorry I think my picture is too big - not sure how to change it yet.

 

[camerabloke]

Nice to see you sorted it

 

[dingledong]

A happy ending

 

[Deleted member 9648]

OK - problem solved. Turns out the fan was innocent after all. Guilty culprit was the ceiling mounted shower DP isolator. Surprising since this hasn't been touched for > 2 years and my Mk 1 funny smell detector (nose!) did not pick this up when my son first reported the pong over a week ago. Today, I noticed some slight discoloration on the isolator body. Switched off supply and removed switch to find supply neutral connection rather black with some insulation damage on the cable. I would say that the screw was not tight enough as it came undone rather too easily for my liking. Cut cable back to sound material, replaced earth sleeving, bought new switch and Robert's your mothers brother. Happy days, but I missed the Russian GP!! Thanks for your comments.

Sorry I think my picture is too big - not sure how to change it yet.

Very common problem with high current pullswitches. Chances are the original installer had it tight but all the strain on the terminations trying to get the damn wires back into the box often loosens the connections. In the days when terminal tunnels were deep and had two clamp screws this didnt happen.Manufacturer cost cutting is the culprit.