Perused t1_jcreiwc wrote on March 18, 2023 at 11:51 PM

It looks like a pancake style electric box that is screwed to the rafter above it..It should hold a fan. Also, notice how shallow the box is. When you go to mount the mounting bracket for the fan (two screw) make sure they are not too long and bottom out on the box. You may have to buy shorter machine screws.

I_am_beast55 OP t1_jcs3rgb wrote on March 19, 2023 at 3:11 AM

Okay thanks. I put in shorter screws like you said. It seems to be holding but only time will tell. The fan is much lighter than the old fan which presumably was up since the 70s. So cross fingers :).

GrimResistance t1_jcs8pc8 wrote on March 19, 2023 at 3:56 AM

This is not a fan rated box. A fan rated box would have 10-24 screws and screw posts or double ears. https://imgur.com/ldUwkw1.jpg

Don't just cross your fingers on this, you can get a fan rated pancake or saddle box and they're not very expensive.

I_am_beast55 OP t1_jcs9e9n wrote on March 19, 2023 at 4:03 AM

Okay I'm headed to the store tomorrow. I have 4 to replace altogether