Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[gresham flyer]

I have been offered a 415 volt car lift.

Could it be converted and used in a domestic situation.?

Has anyone got a lift they are using.?

Gresham Flyer

[MikeEdwards]

Isn't that three-phase? I've seen adverts (in Model Engineer) for convertors to run three-phase tools on normal domestic supplies.

[Bitumen Boy]

If you have a look round there was a thread on here a while back about doing just that - if memory serves the best option was to remotor rather than use a converter.

[Kenham]

I don't really know but I would not think a lift would be drawing too much current so a converter would be ok. Best look at the motor to see what power it is I presume and go from there.

[DM]

Post a pic of the motor data plate, If it is a star/delta motor you can connect the windings to run on 230V single phase by adding a capacitor.(a poor mans 3 phase converter).

Or you can buy a suitable motor on ebay to convert it to 230v single phase operation for sensible money. This is the best option, I converted one for a friend late last year and it worked well.

[Bitumen Boy]

Found it: http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12119&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=phase+motor&start=0

[DPP]

[clogs]

Here's my twopennyworth.....keep it simple and usually less expensive.....I don't know about two directional single phase motors but sounds expensive to me or hard to find used......used single phs. 3hp motors are not that common either but there's usually one on e-bay.......
Having been in ur situation I considered using two motors a 3hp for up and something like a 2hp for down......The smaller motors are easy to find and u don't need the same power for down.......
Special High torque motors ....don't worry about them, just get an old Crompton or a Brooks, over built and rough and tough......SO ... a motor on each leg (two poster) 1 for and 1 for down, and of course an extra stop start switch (only use a ON when u push it type)... as for torque..... as u would be fabricating a mounting plate anyway make enough room for a large pulley...(in my experience the legs and screws on the ramp legs are identical, so the pattern to fabricate the mounting plate for the new motor is only 2.5 meters away).....what ever the size of the original pulley make the new one 1/3 - 1/2 bigger.....when lifting, ur not in a race....
Had the same problem with my 3ph Hoffman- when I get close to the weight limit it just stall's.....so I just made a new pulley 1/3 bigger and it now works a treat......incidentally there was nowhere I know of locally
(SW France) where I can get any material suitable for the pulley so I used Marine plywood...yeh yeh I here u say.....been using for just about a year and no problems at all.....remember the old cotton mill's, they only had a lump of Oak or ELM for the manufacture of pulleys....
Back to u....if u go this route chances are u'll not be able to use the original limit switch system...consider using a micro switch system, very easy to do just take ur time....or paint the limits on the ramp and only use the ramp ur'self......mates tend to muck things up......also remember u won't be able to use a 3 pin plug, u'll need a dedicated 30amp supply from the fuse board......
OR
All this work takes time and money, there are always hidden costs......
there are plenty of new lifts out there and about £1500 should get u a new one ....depending on ur situation share the cost with a friend......remember nobody's buying u'll get a good deal......ALSO... not every garage workshop has three phase...so single phase ramps are out there...don't worry if it's Chinese, unless ur earning a living with u'll never wear it out...and besides there's no electronics's on ramps, so everything is either repairable or replaceable with European parts....all this means spending money so unless ur lucky enough to get ur hands on welders, steel plate, lathes etc the new route is not so bad......if u go with a new on remember it's plug and play.....
Get lucky ...please let us know how u get on......buy ur ramp and have some fun...
cheers Frank