Extractor fans - am I thick?

Alex_L

Alex_L

Alex_L

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
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We’ve had two xpealair extractor fans installed during a refurb.

https://www.xpelair.co.uk/product/simply-silenttm-c4htsr-axial-extract-fan-humidistattimer

They have run 24/7 since they’ve been installed regardless of lights and humidity levels. The fans have humidistats and timers so I think how they should work is they would turn on with the lights (or a increase in humidity) and then run until the humidity drops below a level and then continue for a period of time set by the over-run timer.

The builders are claiming they are working as expected but having looked at the manufacturers website I think I’m right.

Am I being thick or are they just giving be more builder BS because they want paid?
 
did they install it with a connection into lighting switch to provide the external/on off switch the manual discusses which maybe an override ?


interaction with pull-cord is not very clear, but can also reduce huidity sensitivity
C4SR - Operate the fan using an on/off switch (not supplied).
C4PSR - Operate the fan using an integral pull-cord.
C4TSR* - Built-in timer operates fan for a preset delay from 30 seconds to 30 minutes.
C4HTSR* - Operates when triggered automatically by the integral humidity sensor, or by using an external
on/off switch (not supplied).
In automatic mode: the built-in timer automatically operates the fan for a pre-set delay time from
30 seconds to 30 minutes once humidity drops below the pre-set Relative Humidity (RH) value.
External operation: When switched off using the external on/off switch the fan continues to run for
the preset delay from 30 seconds to 30 minutes
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

The rooms aren’t damp to me e.g. no condensation on windows and I’ve had a dehumidifier run in one of the bathrooms bringing the level down to below 50% and fan just ran on and on. It’s an old house that we had properly insulated with breathable lime plaster on the outside walls and mineral wool internally specced by an architect - this has been one of the explanations the builders have given. I’ve ordered a humidity meter from amazon to test.

jpaul said:
did they install it with a connection into lighting switch to provide the external/on off switch the manual discusses which maybe an override ?


interaction with pull-cord is not very clear, but can also reduce huidity sensitivity
Click to expand...

I would assume they have given my read of the manual was that is how they’re supposed to be installed so the lights would trigger the fan pre-shower etc. But they’re builders, so who knows what they’ve done. I’ll ask.
 
Mine had loads of options different models, timed, pairs with the light switch/shower, temp/humidity, auto sensing, fan speed.

all depends on what you set the jumpers to how it's wired up etc.
 
SpeedFreak said:
I have one of those. I found the humidstat very sensitive towards the end of the turning dial
Click to expand...
Interesting. I think they’ve adjusted them to be as insensitive as possible to humidity. But I’ll check at the weekend. In retrospect a light activated one with timer might have been a safer bet.
 
Could it be that the permanent live has been wired up to where the switched live should go? So it is running as though the lights are on all the time.
 
Last edited:
I swapped out broken extractors for humidistat ones a while back (although different brand). I found that I had to turn the activation humidity way up (80-90 range) to get behaviour that felt 'right' to me. Otherwise it would do as you've said, be on basically 24/7.
 
Mine turns on with the lights and runs for 30 seconds after the lights go off. Does mean no extractor when showering most summers as sun streams in the window, but you do get used to remembering to turn the light on eventually.
 
Your humidistat is set too low, so it is constantly running due to moisture in the air.

Get the manual, open it up and adjust it until it turns off, in a "dry" room, then give it another small turn.
 
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