Bendpak 4 Post Lift & Safety Kill Switch

[lovebohn]

I ended up getting the HD-9XW and just started to unpack things this week. I want to install a safety stop switch on the lift. I know I read a thread on here where there was a few pictures and links to what works the best for a 240v install but I just can not find it. Anyone install something similar or have the old thread??

Here is an example. This should kill power if the lift ever has a malfunction. Just a FYI I will hardwire the electrical on the lift and the breaker panel is not in the same room.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005W17FRS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[davidlee]

Why? You have to hold the button to make the lift raise up.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Why? You have to hold the button to make the lift raise up.

That would be the built-in kill switch. No sense over thinking this.

 

[lovebohn]

I know a number of people have gone this route. If the built in switch fails I have no way of stopping this from pushing my car through the ceiling.

 

[Junkman]

I know a number of people have gone this route. If the built in switch fails I have no way of stopping this from pushing my car through the ceiling.

That is why you have insurance. What are the chances that the switch will fail? I have not heard of one switch failure being posted on these forums, since I have been registered. Just think of how often you turn on a light in your home, and that the switch that was installed still hasn't failed. I have lived in my home over 30 years, and I bought the least expensive light switches that I could find back then, because money was tight, and not one of those has failed. If it will give you peace of mind, spend your money, and while you are at it, better put a smoke detector over the power unit, because it might burst into flames, and ignite the oil in the pump reservoir.

 

[Cougar]

Why? You have to hold the button to make the lift raise up.

I was thinking the same thing.

But then thought, that's not a bad idea.
Won't hurt anything and hopefully he will never need to use it.

He could mount a switch box on top of the box that's already there.

 

[c39er]

It's a switch made in china. It could fail.

 

[jfdegnan]

Guys, I have had this exact situation occur on my HD9-ST. You can work around this by simply pushing the down lever in until you can disconnect power.

Regards

Jim

 

[lovebohn]

Guys, I have had this exact situation occur on my HD9-ST. You can work around this by simply pushing the down lever in until you can disconnect power.

Regards

Jim

Like I said my sub panel is in another room so I would really be SOL. I wish I could find the short post where this was discussed. To much reading while researching my purchase and never bookmarked the thread.

 

[Matt M PA]

Here's what I did.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142486

 

[JamieK]

On lifts where the tops of the tower are connected, I've seen bars that run across the top of the lift from tower to tower that shuts off the motor if the roof of the car goes too high. Mainly to keep a very tall vehicle, like a van, from hitting the connector.

 

[LX-Markham]

mine is plugged in, so I guess I could just pull the plug if the switch ever got stuck in the 'on' position.

I've had the switch on my chop saw get stuck in the on position, so I guess it's probable.

 

[LXCam]

Damn, well if you're that worried about it just mount two push button switches on it in series. I used SO cord suspended with a strain relief and a sleeve and pin plug and cap.....well for no real reason cept I had all that laying around. So worst case is I give it a yank and off it goes. If anything, it looks cool.

 

[lovebohn]

I'm not that worried I just like over engineering with my projects.

 

[LXCam]

I'm not that worried I just like over engineering with my projects.

Wellll alrighty then.

So with that said, have you decided on the footing size yet. I'm thinking 3' x 3' x 3', what cha think? .

 

[lovebohn]

Nothing wrong with an even yard

 

[rburke65]

I think that would be an uneven yard!

 

[Cryptic1911]

just keep something heavy that you can hang on the release handle and it won't go up

 

[lovebohn]

My other concern with this was my young kids, I don't put it past my 2 year old son to push any button and raise the lift without me being in the garage, you have to kid proof things.

 

[ket-tek]

My previous posts with a picture of a switch mounted on a HD9 may be one of the switch installs that lovebohn is referring too.

I didn't really do it for a panic button, my reasoning were mainly these:

1) I can't leave anything alone and add-on/modify just about everything I've owned. So I accessorized the post with a power button, air drop, and pressure gauge. Obsessions with modding is a 'problem' many guys here have...

2) My breaker panel is far from the lift, so what's wrong with having an on/off power switch located at the lift controls, like most any piece of machinery or equipment typically has?


I turn it on when I use the lift and off when I'm not, it's no different than the many threads about leaving your 18v chargers plugged in constantly or air compressor energized all the time if your piping doesn't have leaks.


I don't see why you guys are coming down on him so hard for wanting to do this? He is simply looking for web links or recommendations of 240v switches that break both legs. I'm sure you guys have various manufactures and types of switches/enclosures to share with him???

 

[Thumper68]

If you are worried about your kids or others messing with your lift then you need to put a keyed lock-out on it either inline or at the breaker.

A friend of mine wired in a 120 volt keyed switch into one leg for his lift as well as his mill and lathe. all the same key so he only has to have one extra on his keychain.

 

[lovebohn]

You can read my mind. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Matt M PA]

The switch cover I used on mine (as shown in the pictures) can be locked so that the lever is locked in the off position. It has a hole to put a padlock through.

 

[beltfeed]

lovebohn, can you do me a favor. I've been thinking about getting the same lift as you (HD-9XW). Can you measure the outside width of the columns. Also the outside width of the floor plates that the columns mount to. I know Bendpak has spec sheets but I think they are off. Thanks for the help.

 

[Junkman]

The base plate measurement is different on the older HD9XW lifts than the newer models. To get the correct measurements for what is being shipped now, I suggest that you call the factory, and get the latest information on dimentions.

 

[holdover]

Matt M, great idea with the 2 pole switch, I'm going to do that with both my bend pacs.

 

[lovebohn]

When I get the updated part I can do a few measurements but I think its like the version "M" specs state... I sure hope it is.

 

[lovebohn]

lovebohn, can you do me a favor. I've been thinking about getting the same lift as you (HD-9XW). Can you measure the outside width of the columns. Also the outside width of the floor plates that the columns mount to. I know Bendpak has spec sheets but I think they are off. Thanks for the help.

I just did a quick measurement the other day and they come out the same as the spec sheets. I think it was 110" from the far outside of the floor plates in width and 198" long to the far outside of each floor plate. I would assume the actual floor plate is correct, but I can look at those too.

 

[beltfeed]

Thanks for the width update. I'm going to check with Bendpak and see if they can make me the older 117" outside width. If not I go with the 110". Thanks again.

 

[Junkman]

The columns are the same distance apart, however, the base plate (1/4" x 12" square bottom plate) is the same with only the columns being welded on the outer edge width wise. Mine has the columns welded in the center of the baseplate. I wish that my columns were made like the new ones, since it would then fit out a 10' wide garage door without having to do a lot of juggling to move one column out at a time.

 

[lovebohn]

Thanks for the width update. I'm going to check with Bendpak and see if they can make me the older 117" outside width. If not I go with the 110". Thanks again.

If you order it in black I know where you can get the 117" crossbeams and cables.