Jump to content

Downdraft extractor fan socket, plug & cable


WWilts

Recommended Posts

New build in progress.

 

Extractor needs to be turned by 180 degrees to face the hob. Not a problem to turn it around, EXCEPT

 

The fan plug (pic, circled red) projects out and would not squeeze into the very limited space available (drawer unit carcass wall limits the space)

How to make the plug project less? Some kind of adaptor & extension? Fiddle with the plug? Other?



 

Drawers & fan cabinet for downdraft extractor 221123.jpg

Downdraft extractor plug projection.jpg

Downdraft extractor power plug annotated.jpg

Edited by WWilts
Link to comment
Share on other sites

How far is it away from actually fitting? The cable group going into the plug is overwrapped with heatshrink tubing. Might you be able to soften it enough to fold it over with a hairdryer or heat-gun?

I'm not really understanding what space it doesn't fit into.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Radian said:

I'm not really understanding what space it doesn't fit into.

 

5 hours ago, ProDave said:

Just what is in the way?

The extractor unit in the pic needs to be turned by 180 degrees to face the opposite way. When that is done, the socket sits very near to a carcass panel. The carcass has drawers on the other side of that panel. So even cutting out the panel would not entirely solve the problem.

The problem is that the plug projects out and would push up tight against the carcass panel. If it could be squeezed in at all. 

Therefore looking for some arrangement that can be squeezed into the limited space between the socket and the carcass panel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the socket is just clipped into the panel; remove the panel to see if you can unclip it and then probably enlarge the hole a little to let the socket come out through, then the plug and socket should be able to sit flat. Unless the socket is mounted on a pcb of course...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, dpmiller said:

the socket is just clipped into the panel; remove the panel to see if you can unclip it and then probably enlarge the hole a little to let the socket come out through, then the plug and socket should be able to sit flat. Unless the socket is mounted on a pcb of course...

Yes, sometimes those receptacles are chassis mounted - using plastic blades to secure them to the chassis. Worth a closer look.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, ProDave said:

Just what is in the way?

The panel will be in the way, once the extractor is turned by 180 degrees to face the hob. The plug will have to project out less from the socket.

 

downdraft extractor context annotated.jpg

Edited by WWilts
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, dpmiller said:

Unless the socket is mounted on a pcb of course

Afraid to fiddle with the socket mounting, for such reasons. (Just a layperson here, anyhow)

 

Something to bend the plug would help. 

5 hours ago, Radian said:

hairdryer

Perhaps 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, WWilts said:

Afraid to fiddle with the socket mounting, for such reasons. (Just a layperson here, anyhow)

 

You've got to show these things who's boss!

Seriously, if the socket is the type I think it is, then the back of it will have a wiring loom going into crimped receptacles. There may be some slack in that loom to allow you to dismount the socket and lay it flat.  Is the recessed plate holding the socket riveted or screwed to the chassis?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I guess it all depends on how desperate you become.

 

What I'm now wondering is if the body of the plug itself would have enough clearance? If you carefully slit the heat-shrink tubing, you'll find each individual wire goes into the plastic shell where it's terminated with a crimp connector. A bit like this:

 

image.jpeg.5ea6eaecf8728f7429e91618324658b0.jpeg

 

The heat-shrink is adding a great deal of bulk. I won't say unnescessary bulk - its there to keep stuff getting into the back of the connector which has probably got 240VAC on it, but as you can see, the individual wires would fold flat and with some electrical tape to cover it all up you might have enough clearance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...