Building an A/C motor to lift up to ~40 pounds
#1
09-08-14, 02:06 PM
Building an A/C motor to lift up to ~40 pounds
Hi,
I'll keep this really short. I need (want) to build a small A/C fed motor that, through a system of sprockets that we already have in place, can lift a bucket containing up to 40 pounds of stuff. Is this possible to do without a shop or spending at least $150?
Thanks.
I'll keep this really short. I need (want) to build a small A/C fed motor that, through a system of sprockets that we already have in place, can lift a bucket containing up to 40 pounds of stuff. Is this possible to do without a shop or spending at least $150?
Thanks.
#2
09-08-14, 02:17 PM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
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Can you build an electric motor without a shop? No. You CAN couple a motor to a gear (or chain) drive to accomplish your task but a few more details are necessary.
I once made an elevator with a 1/2 horsepower motor close-coupled to a 40:1 gear reducer. It would lift 300 pounds easily. I did have to add an electric brake between the motor and the gear reducer.
I once made an elevator with a 1/2 horsepower motor close-coupled to a 40:1 gear reducer. It would lift 300 pounds easily. I did have to add an electric brake between the motor and the gear reducer.
#3
09-08-14, 02:28 PM
I can get a little 1/2 HP A/C motor locally for about $80, but gear reducers seem rather expensive. Does the HP rating have to match the engine?
Edit: I'm not that experienced with electronics - could you provide a basic breakdown of what I would need?
Edit: I'm not that experienced with electronics - could you provide a basic breakdown of what I would need?
#4
09-08-14, 03:00 PM
Why reinvent the wheel. Why not by an electric hoist? Example: 440 lb. Electric Hoist with Remote Control $20 more then the motor you were going to buy.
#10
09-11-14, 12:30 AM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
Received 38 Upvotes
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Why don't you tell us in detail just what you are trying to accomplish? Building a hoist is a fairly straightforward thing, it is the details that are difficult. How do you plan to stop the hoist at the ends of travel? How are you going to hold the load at the top? How high do you have to lift the load? Are you going to need guide rails? Why is the limit at forty pounds? Is this a toy just to prove you can do it or are you planning on actually doing some kind of work?
#11
09-11-14, 03:35 PM
I work as a sound technician in a local theatre. We bring small pieces of equipment, such as a light to hang (hence the 40lb limit), up from the basement to the catwalk of the 60ft ceiling in a sort of bucket. Right now, we have to lean over the railing for ten minutes lifting this bucket, which, if you have to do it multiple times a day or hour, can be quite taxing. We'd rather just build a little lift so we can continue hanging lights, handling speakers, doing cues, etc.
There's enough open space in the hole that it can swing around a bit, so we won't really need rails. We can remove the bucket via a hook at the top. It's making myself and the other tech's lives a hell of a lot easier, hehe.
There's enough open space in the hole that it can swing around a bit, so we won't really need rails. We can remove the bucket via a hook at the top. It's making myself and the other tech's lives a hell of a lot easier, hehe.
#12
09-11-14, 04:23 PM
Then why not use an electric hoist as I linked to. That is what they are for. This being a work space you also have to remember OSHA. Some kind of jerry built rig might not set well with them. Then there is the civil liability if something goes wrong.
#13
09-11-14, 05:51 PM
Super Moderator
I have to agree with Ray that where you are using this lift puts this thread in a totally different light.
Being a commercial space you can not legally do what you are proposing.
I personally would put more trust in a person holding a rope than a jury rigged, untested or approved mechanical lift.
Being a commercial space you can not legally do what you are proposing.
I personally would put more trust in a person holding a rope than a jury rigged, untested or approved mechanical lift.
#15
09-11-14, 06:36 PM
The guy running the theatre is a big DIY guy and he thinks it would be "fun".
