Notices
JK Electrical, Lighting & Sound Systems Bulletin board forum regarding topics such as stereo head units, CD players, MP3 players, speaker systems, amplifiers, hardmounted GPS devices, computers, headlight upgrades, fog lights, off-road lights, general wiring and anti-theft devices.

How can I slow down my Lange electrical hardtop hoist?

Thread Tools
 
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 05:10 AM
  #1  
Ultramag's Avatar
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Nixa, Mo
Default How can I slow down my Lange electrical hardtop hoist?

I have a Lange electric hoist for my '07 JK (2 Door) hardtop and the speed seems to be way to fast!!! It is nice when pulling the top off but I am concerned about the speed when lowering it back on. I read on the Lange site that I can cut the speed in half by adding another eye-bolt in the ceiling with an additional pulley block to give it another connection point but I'm still not sure that slowing it by half will be enough. Again, my concern is when I am lowering the top back down onto the Jeep and I would like to sit it down gently, not hard. My neighbor thinks we can wire a heavy-duty fan switch into the Lange motor and then dial down the speed when needed. Has anyone done this? If yes, how well did it work, what did you buy to make it work and how did you do it? I also seen a Speed Controller on Amazon that looks like it would work but I am just not sure. Here is the one on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/SE-Electronic-...ref=pd_cp_hi_3

Thoughts, ideas, etc?

Much appreciated!
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2012 | 09:47 PM
  #2  
Dieselguy3's Avatar
JK Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Chicopee, MA
Default

If its 15 amps or less on the motor should work pretty well. Nice idea
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 06:00 AM
  #3  
Ultramag's Avatar
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Nixa, Mo
Default

I added the additional eyebolt and pulley block and it definitely slowed it down. I am going to try it a few times and see if this is enough. If not, then I will look at adding the speed controller to really reduce the output.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 06:38 AM
  #4  
JKbender's Avatar
JK Freak
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Default

A cheap idea that is safely rated for the home is a basic dimmer switch. Wire one in line and you can "dim" the motor speed anywhere from 100% - 0%.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 07:53 AM
  #5  
crazymike's Avatar
JK Enthusiast
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
Default

yeah, definitely double the line. Every time you run it through a pully, you cut your speed in half.

Motors, winches, etc... are not made to be run off a dimmer switch.

If you want to actually slow down the motor speed you need a router control or a variac device.

Router Speed Control
cheapest solution next to running a pully.

The dimmer switch is not a safe solution and you can run into problems with overheating, etc... Someone with more electrical know how can explain better.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 09:08 AM
  #6  
kaptkrappy's Avatar
JK Super Freak
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda, FL.
Default

Originally Posted by Ultramag
I have a Lange electric hoist for my '07 JK (2 Door) hardtop and the speed seems to be way to fast!!! It is nice when pulling the top off but I am concerned about the speed when lowering it back on. I read on the Lange site that I can cut the speed in half by adding another eye-bolt in the ceiling with an additional pulley block to give it another connection point but I'm still not sure that slowing it by half will be enough. Again, my concern is when I am lowering the top back down onto the Jeep and I would like to sit it down gently, not hard. My neighbor thinks we can wire a heavy-duty fan switch into the Lange motor and then dial down the speed when needed. Has anyone done this? If yes, how well did it work, what did you buy to make it work and how did you do it? I also seen a Speed Controller on Amazon that looks like it would work but I am just not sure. Here is the one on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/SE-Electronic-...ref=pd_cp_hi_3

Thoughts, ideas, etc?

Much appreciated!
Originally Posted by JKbender
A cheap idea that is safely rated for the home is a basic dimmer switch. Wire one in line and you can "dim" the motor speed anywhere from 100% - 0%.
Originally Posted by crazymike
yeah, definitely double the line. Every time you run it through a pully, you cut your speed in half.

Motors, winches, etc... are not made to be run off a dimmer switch.

If you want to actually slow down the motor speed you need a router control or a variac device.

Router Speed Control
cheapest solution next to running a pully.

The dimmer switch is not a safe solution and you can run into problems with overheating, etc... Someone with more electrical know how can explain better.
Running a "speed control" device like the one from Amazon you listed or even a dimmer/fan control will work.......depending on one thing. Does the motor for the lift have brushes or is it brushless? (or is that 2 things?)
You have to know this before proceeding with your neighbors plan.
A motor with brushes can have its speed controlled with a cheap controller, a brushless motor can not.

I looked on Lange's site and did not see the specs for the motor they are using listed anywhere.

.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 10:59 AM
  #7  
bbolander's Avatar
JK Freak
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 616
Likes: 25
From: Mesquite, NV
Default

Originally Posted by Canuckjkjeeper
double the line....run the cable down through the eye bolt and back up to the hoist again...this cuts the speed in half...i had the same issues and now i have way better control
x2. i ran mine through one pulley, then the hook for the top and then to another eybolt on the end, cutting the speed in half. has worked fine for me. only way i've tried it since i installed it that way originally. wouldn't like it to be any faster though.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 11:33 AM
  #8  
JeeP_MarK's Avatar
JK Enthusiast
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Default

A cheap easy electrical way is to buy an old school style light switch dimmer the round kind and mount it in a plastic out door box with a 15 amp 3 foot heavy duty extension cord .wire it up and you can turn down the voltage to the winch hence slowing it down, it should cost you no more then $25 I use this for tuning down the speed on my bench grinder when I put the polishing wheel on.

Last edited by JeeP_MarK; Jul 24, 2012 at 11:36 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 11:38 AM
  #9  
JKbender's Avatar
JK Freak
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by crazymike
yeah, definitely double the line. Every time you run it through a pully, you cut your speed in half.

Motors, winches, etc... are not made to be run off a dimmer switch.

If you want to actually slow down the motor speed you need a router control or a variac device.

Router Speed Control
cheapest solution next to running a pully.

The dimmer switch is not a safe solution and you can run into problems with overheating, etc... Someone with more electrical know how can explain better.
Your sugestion and an old school dimmer switch are the same solution in a different package. Both are voltage metering devices. They mechanically reduce the voltage output by inducing resistance to the circuit. Voltage regulation is how you modulate speed on an electric motor.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 02:21 PM
  #10  
crazymike's Avatar
JK Enthusiast
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by JKbender

Your sugestion and an old school dimmer switch are the same solution in a different package. Both are voltage metering devices. They mechanically reduce the voltage output by inducing resistance to the circuit. Voltage regulation is how you modulate speed on an electric motor.
Take a look at the amps a dimmer switch is rated for vs the amps on the hoist

A dimmer switch is not rated for that device and will cause issues with over heating. Etc.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:20 AM.