Harbr Freight hoist - extend control cable

[Joe From NY]

I just got the Harbor Freight 400lb hoist, and I need to extend the cable on the up/down switch controller holder. I plan to use it to lift a hatch door in the kitchen ceiling in a small cottage to get into the attic. The door is too heavy for my elderly parents, so i want them to use the switch to raise it.

Is there any way to get a switch installed in two locations (downstairs, and upstairs)? kind of like a three way light switch would accomplish, but with the right switch. i cant figure out what the cap is used for in the handle. could i relocate the cap closer to the motor, then put two on-off-on switches in parallel with different lengths of wire, one up and one in the kitchen?

my last resort would be to lengthen the cord. would anyone have a source for 18 AWG, 4 conductor wire by the foot?

Thanks

 

[pattenp]

I added a second 20ft corded control switch. But my cap was in the box at the motor. I disconnected the original switch cord and made up a short jumper piece from the motor to a jbox and used a terminal block in the jbox to connect in the second control switch. If the cap in your handle is not switched by the control switch you should be able to leave it where it is.

Edit: I used 4 conductor #14 SO cord for the new control cord. And a LB conduit body for the switch housing.

 

[nehog]

I have 16 AWG rubber cord, PM me with the length if you are interested.

I know of no easy way to setup the switches to work from two locations--it can be done, but requires either special switches or relays so that someone at one end doesn't press up while the other end presses down!

 

[RickP]

Is there any way to get a switch installed in two locations (downstairs, and upstairs)? kind of like a three way light switch would accomplish, but with the right switch.

would anyone have a source for 18 AWG, 4 conductor wire by the foot

Sounds like it will work. That 18 AWG wire sounds like alarm wire or sprinkler wire. You could also use the speaker wire with the heavier insulation -- I think my house is wired with 18-4 for speakers. (I haven't hooked any of them up yet, but the wire is in the walls when I finally get to it.)

 

[Joe From NY]

Rick - I bought that 18 AWG sprinkler wire to use, but then i saw it was rated for 30 VAC. i didnt want that stuff carrying 120 volts, which my control cable does to the switch. The insulation is thin.

And the cap gets voltage from the white wire with either push of the switch, both up and down are wired together on the left side of the switch.

 

[RickP]

Rick - I bought that 18 AWG sprinkler wire to use, but then i saw it was rated for 30 VAC. i didnt want that stuff carrying 120 volts, which my control cable does to the switch. The insulation is thin.

There's another type of direct bury sprinkler wire rated to carry 150v, but now I'm wondering if that would be allowed by code inside the house? Probably not. Fire alarm wire is available with voltage ratings of 300v, but I'm not sure about code for that either. Because this is a spring-loaded switch, I'm just not sure what the rules would be for it. You're probably safest using 18 AWG universal power cord if you decide to extend it.

Here's one source for cord by the foot:
http://www.wesbellwireandcable.com/SOOW/SOOW18-4.html



Posted from Garagejournal.com App for Android

 

[madosta]

Does your wife know you have tools on her pretty wicker bench?!