Whilshire Chandelier Lift
#1
03-21-20, 05:01 PM
Whilshire Chandelier Lift
Ok I have a Whilshire Chandlier lift in my home. We decided to replace the chandelier. I got the new chandelier mounted. Now when I raise the chandelier into place, the power cord ends up twisting around the support cable. Once the chandelier gets close to the ceiling it is twisted a couple of times. Enough so the power cord won't load correcting into the cord reel (think Garage style extension cord reel).
When the chandelier is at ground level the tow cables are completely separated and every thing looks good.
Any thoughts on what I could do to fix this problem? As always, appreciate any comments.
Edit. I lowered the chandelier to get ready for tomorrow when I will dive back in. I took a picture of the ccable and electric cord. When the chandelier was at ground level originally the cords were not twisted at all. In the process of raising the chandelier, it twisted about 2.5 times and the two cable would not separate going into the ceiling. When I lowered the chandelier and cables remained twisted 1.5 times. I attached a picture to try and illustrate whet I have. If you look at the ceiling in the picture, the cord reel for the power cord (black) is to the left side of the hole.
When the chandelier is at ground level the tow cables are completely separated and every thing looks good.
Any thoughts on what I could do to fix this problem? As always, appreciate any comments.
Edit. I lowered the chandelier to get ready for tomorrow when I will dive back in. I took a picture of the ccable and electric cord. When the chandelier was at ground level originally the cords were not twisted at all. In the process of raising the chandelier, it twisted about 2.5 times and the two cable would not separate going into the ceiling. When I lowered the chandelier and cables remained twisted 1.5 times. I attached a picture to try and illustrate whet I have. If you look at the ceiling in the picture, the cord reel for the power cord (black) is to the left side of the hole.
Last edited by ijourneaux; 03-21-20 at 05:44 PM.
#2
03-21-20, 05:48 PM
If it is twisting around the support cable that means the whole chandelier must be twisting as it goes up. I would use something to hold the chandelier from twisting. a long pole. a piece of twine looped over part of it so you can hold both ends. then let go of one end and pull the twine down afterwards.
#3
03-21-20, 06:04 PM
Group Moderator
I've never done this before, so take thus with a grain of salt.
Since you need to untwist once it gets near the top, here is what I would try.
Take a thin piece of wood... a paint stick for example. Drill a couple holes in each end. When the fixture is lowered, run the paint stick between the cable and the wire just above the box. Then run a long piece of Mason's line (cord/string) through each hole... long enough that it will reach the ceiling and back. One string for each hole on each side, run through the hole and back down again like it is folded in half. No knot. They will be guide wires for the chandelier as it is raised. Two people on the ground can hang onto those lines and as you raise it, they can keep the stick centered over the box and their lines taut... and if its twisting clockwise, they would both walk counter clockwise... keeping up with the twist as you raise it so that it doesn't wrap up as you raise it.
Once you get very close to the ceiling you would need to stop. One guy would pull his string out from the paint stick while the other guy keeps the paint stick stationary. Once the other string is off, the other guy can just yank the paint stick out and catch it as it falls. Then finish raising the fixture before it spins.
Just an idea.
Since you need to untwist once it gets near the top, here is what I would try.
Take a thin piece of wood... a paint stick for example. Drill a couple holes in each end. When the fixture is lowered, run the paint stick between the cable and the wire just above the box. Then run a long piece of Mason's line (cord/string) through each hole... long enough that it will reach the ceiling and back. One string for each hole on each side, run through the hole and back down again like it is folded in half. No knot. They will be guide wires for the chandelier as it is raised. Two people on the ground can hang onto those lines and as you raise it, they can keep the stick centered over the box and their lines taut... and if its twisting clockwise, they would both walk counter clockwise... keeping up with the twist as you raise it so that it doesn't wrap up as you raise it.
Once you get very close to the ceiling you would need to stop. One guy would pull his string out from the paint stick while the other guy keeps the paint stick stationary. Once the other string is off, the other guy can just yank the paint stick out and catch it as it falls. Then finish raising the fixture before it spins.
Just an idea.
#4
03-21-20, 08:53 PM
Group Moderator
Strange.... I've replaced chandeliers and worked on those lifts but don't remember having that twisting problem. I'd imagine just keeping the chandelier from spinning would be the ticket.
#5
03-22-20, 08:05 AM
I was able to get it up temporarily by turnign the chandelier clockwide enough times that it rotated counter clockwise enough times as it was being raised to be in the correct position at the ceiling. Dow for some reason, it gets jambed on the drywall and doesn't properly seat.
But at least it is up.
I guess the question is why does it want to spin as it is going up. it must be something in the cable.
It will have to come down a couple of more times in the next week or so. The previous home owner had a dimmer switch for the chandelier. The way this is wired up causes a prblem as the chandelier lift motor can not be on a dimmer circuit.
But at least it is up.
I guess the question is why does it want to spin as it is going up. it must be something in the cable.
It will have to come down a couple of more times in the next week or so. The previous home owner had a dimmer switch for the chandelier. The way this is wired up causes a prblem as the chandelier lift motor can not be on a dimmer circuit.
#6
03-22-20, 09:44 AM
Group Moderator
#7
03-22-20, 10:18 AM
I just confirmed that was EXACTLY what they did. From the dimmer, power goes to a outlet near the lift that the lift is plugged into and continues on the the chandelier lights. Maybe the previous ower added the dimmer not understanding the circumstances.
Temporarily I can run an extension cord over to the lift until a get a more permanent solution. The problem now is where do I put the switch for the lift without creating a whole bunch more work for myself.
Sort of reminds me of the childrens story, "If you give a Mouse a Cookie".
Temporarily I can run an extension cord over to the lift until a get a more permanent solution. The problem now is where do I put the switch for the lift without creating a whole bunch more work for myself.
Sort of reminds me of the childrens story, "If you give a Mouse a Cookie".
#8
03-22-20, 10:27 AM
Group Moderator
Leave the switch in there for now.
If you can't make a permanent wiring change then you'll need to pull the dimmer out and put a switch in anytime you want to lower the lift.
If you can't make a permanent wiring change then you'll need to pull the dimmer out and put a switch in anytime you want to lower the lift.
I pigtailed the two bottom black wires together and attached that wire to the Line In screw. The other black wire I attached to the other screw.
Upon turning on power, the fan/light turned on and stayed on regardless of the switch position. I also tried reversing which wires went to which screws, but that resulted in the fan/light not working at all. What am I doing wrong?