Know Battery Powered Lifts?

[omowright]

There is a trend for mobile column lifts to be battery powered. The QuickJack also but is low-rise. Are there known full-rise (two-post, four post, scissor or single-post) lifts that have options for battery power?

I live in Africa (the "dark" continent) where sometimes, at crucial times, there is no grid power. Investing about 5,000 dollars on a sufficiently powered generator (plus fuel and maintenance) is a capital setback.

 

[nehog]

I think you'd be better off trying to put together a manual hand operated system.

 

[tdott]

I think any option to have a lift work during a power outage will be a capital setback.

I don't know of any battery that can provide that much power at a reasonable cost.

 

[Playwme]

I reckon the main reason they don't really exist is the lack of a market for them. Sure, there's a few guys like yourself who might buy them but not enough to warrant a full range.

I'm sure a cheaper generator would be a simpler option. You don't need to run it once the lift is in position. Fuel will be negligible and maintenance minimal if it's kept out of the weather and run reasonably regularly.

 

[omowright]

tdott, Playwme. These are realities I just have to face and the advice on a cheaper generator is good. However, if I have to be moving the lift whilst working it will be kept running for longer periods. Also in the long term (over years) there'll be no maintenance cost on the batteries though very expensive for the ratings required. Buying battery powered mobile column lifts from China might be a cost effective solution ...

 

[larry_g]

There is a trend for mobile column lifts to be battery powered. The QuickJack also but is low-rise. Are there known full-rise (two-post, four post, scissor or single-post) lifts that have options for battery power?

I live in Africa (the "dark" continent) where sometimes, at crucial times, there is no grid power. Investing about 5,000 dollars on a sufficiently powered generator (plus fuel and maintenance) is a capital setback.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_hydraulics+hydraulic-power-units

I realize I have connected to an american company, but there are many 12v hydraulic power units available. I have on on a dump trailer that handles two large cylinders to dump the box. So while none may come with a 12v system, you could easily change what is on there for a similar unit that is battery powered. Have a large 12 volt battery wired in with a suitable battery charger/maintainer and you would have what you need. Or if you desire have a 12v pump standing by and retrofit your lift with quick connects on the lines or valves to be able to switch from one pump to the other.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[omowright]

larry_g, you've made my day! Thank you so much. I always knew that on this forum there will be an answer.
Thank you again ...

 

[Jbullfrog]

Check with a truck salvage yard for a liftgate pump.

 

[Playwme]

What about the maxjax style with the hydraulic "remote pack" as it were. I'm sure you could convert that pack to 12v pretty easy. I've got an electro hydraulic ram tipper setup on my 3 ton be truck. It'll do a fair few cycles off the truck battery and it has plenty of lifting power. Not the fastest, but not snails pace either.

 

[Brian_WK]

Could it be gas powered like off of a log splitter or hydraulic over pneumatic if you have a decent sized air compressor tank.

Brian

 

[zable9]

There is a trend for mobile column lifts to be battery powered. The QuickJack also but is low-rise. Are there known full-rise (two-post, four post, scissor or single-post) lifts that have options for battery power?

I live in Africa (the "dark" continent) where sometimes, at crucial times, there is no grid power. Investing about 5,000 dollars on a sufficiently powered generator (plus fuel and maintenance) is a capital setback.

I've heard these are very good units...

http://www.rotarylift.com/LIFTS/Mobile-Columns/

 

[omowright]

@zable9.
These are the ultimate solution. The reason for searching other possibilities is the cost (not initial cost of machines but the shipping and custom duties alone can buy several other types of machines).
Thanks however. I see that I have to do a lot of planning and decision making ...

 

[My Old Tools]

Dig a pit or use ramps.

 

[omowright]

Thought of these but too cramped if I have to wrank with a pry-bar. Will need to move the car up-and-down or many in-and-out of the pit for transaxle and subframe work ...

 

[zable9]

@zable9.
These are the ultimate solution. The reason for searching other possibilities is the cost (not initial cost of machines but the shipping and custom duties alone can buy several other types of machines).
Thanks however. I see that I have to do a lot of planning and decision making ...

This site:

http://www.instructables.com

Has lots of do it yourself projects, maybe you could find something that would work for you....

Good luck

 

[Falcon67]

>there'll be no maintenance cost on the batteries though very expensive for the ratings required.

Not sure about there, but around here if you get 2-3 years out of a wet cell battery that's good. AGMs might last longer, but cost way more $$$. Golf cart batteries come to mind but in regular use maybe go 3 years, longer only if you are lucky.

 

[Heel2toe]

Look into the Rotary Shockwave line of lifts. Here is a .pdf that explain a little more about them: http://www.rotarylift.com/shockwave/Shockwave.pdf

Im not too well versed on them but it appears that the lift is actually battery operated and the batteries are merely just charging when plugged in. As to capacity i.e how many cycles up and down I cant comment on that but it might be wise to reach out to Rotary and see what they have to say...