4 Post Lift Electrical Requirements

[danieldd]

Getting ready to order a lift, but I've got to add a dedicated AC receptacle for it. I contacted Advantage lifts, interested in their DX-9000 lift. Was surprised to find out that I cannot wire their 120V motors for 240V. If I want a 240V connection, I have to either buy a bigger lift or upsize the motor to 240V at an additional $450.



When I used to have my MaxJax, the instructions allowed for either 120V or 240V. I preferred the 240V because it runs faster (up) and uses less amperage.

So, I'm not too happy about that, but can probably live with it.

My other issue is electrically connecting the lift motor to the AC receptacle. Advantage told me the length of the cord is 3-4 feet only. Seems to me you would have to position the lift close to the wall and then the cord would be in the way all the time. Can you remotely position the lift motor on the wall and run the hydraulic lines to the lift? This is what I did with my Maxjax.

 

[Ilikeike]

Most of the lifts I've seen and the two I've installed had short cords, you just run a conduit overhead to the lift and do a drop down cord on a strain relief, or run the conduit down the leg and add the required receptacle.

 

[Garry]

I have the DX9000HD Advantage lift and ordered it with the 120vac motor. The first thing I did was buy a 14ft length of 12ga wire from Lowes, they sell it bulk by the foot and purchased a three prong plug for the end. I disassembled the lift's motor switch box and removed the short power cord it came with and connected my new 12ga power cord. That solved the short cord problem. I also installed a dedicated 20amp circuit for it. Initially, I plugged it into just one of the garage 120vac outlets but found it to trip that breaker at times because all the garage receptacles were on the same circuit and I have a refrigerator running on that same circuit as well. I have no issues with the longer power cord running on it's own 20amp circuit now. I asked Tony Weber at advantage the question if I could run it on my 240vac that I have and he said that the motor is made for 120/240vac, but if I did that, he would need to send me out a switch to replace the one it came with, as that is 120vac only and 240vac would burn it up.

Hope this is helpful. Here is a pic of mine.

Cheers,

-Garry

 

[danieldd]

I have the DX9000HD Advantage lift and ordered it with the 120vac motor. The first thing I did was buy a 14ft length of 12ga wire from Lowes, they sell it bulk by the foot and purchased a three prong plug for the end. I disassembled the lift's motor switch box and removed the short power cord it came with and connected my new 12ga power cord. That solved the short cord problem. I also installed a dedicated 20amp circuit for it. Initially, I plugged it into just one of the garage 120vac outlets but found it to trip that breaker at times because all the garage receptacles were on the same circuit and I have a refrigerator running on that same circuit as well. I have no issues with the longer power cord running on it's own 20amp circuit now. I asked Tony Weber at advantage the question if I could run it on my 240vac that I have and he said that the motor is made for 120/240vac, but if I did that, he would need to send me out a switch to replace the one it came with, as that is 120vac only and 240vac would burn it up.

Hope this is helpful. Here is a pic of mine.

Cheers,

-Garry

Much appreciated Garry!

 

[ace10]

I've replaced the cord on all three of my Advantage lifts. Takes about 20 or 30 minutes per, not counting the run into town to the electrical store.

Take pictures of how the wires are run inside the box before you start tearing into it.

 

[Garry]

Much appreciated Garry!

You're very welcome! Oh, BTW, I highly recommend you deal with Tony Weber at Advantage, he is a wealth of knowledge, a nice guy and his customer service is outstanding!

Cheers!

 

[danieldd]

You're very welcome! Oh, BTW, I highly recommend you deal with Tony Weber at Advantage, he is a wealth of knowledge, a nice guy and his customer service is outstanding!

Cheers!

Thanks. Good to know a name so I can deal with him directly. Did you purchase any additional hardware with your lift, such as a rolling jack?

 

[cad70]

My Advantage has about a 5" cord. I just run a good 10ga extension cord over from my "freezer outlet". Not 1 issue.

Clark

 

[Garry]

Thanks. Good to know a name so I can deal with him directly. Did you purchase any additional hardware with your lift, such as a rolling jack?

I did, I purchased the manual hydraulic rolling bridge jack. A bridge jack is a must have if you do your own wrenching!

 

[danieldd]

I've replaced the cord on all three of my Advantage lifts. Takes about 20 or 30 minutes per, not counting the run into town to the electrical store.

Take pictures of how the wires are run inside the box before you start tearing into it.

Thanks!

 

[1984shovelhead]

Consider installing a toggle disconnect switch on the power column in the event of a sticking contactor