Replies

1. 
   McPlumb | Nov 11, 2007 04:24pm | #1

   I'm also interested in some residential elevator info. My customer has a huge brick vic about 1890. He wants to develope it as a commerical property, I suggested a residential elevator to meet ADA requirements.

2. 
   ponytl | Nov 11, 2007 05:27pm | #2

   there really is not alot to them... pretty simple...  most are "side lift" think of a forklift mast and the elevator car being the pallet it's lifting... hyd elevators  have no safety so to speak... they just have a limit on how fast the fluid can escape if there is a massive failure....

   installation is the key on these things... getting them set up right the first time is #1... the mechanics of them is just about as simple as a forklift or a car lift... just a few more cutouts and relays... they are not rocket science...

   on going service... if installed right is mostly limited to checking for hyd leaks... and adjusting contacts... the electric over hyd unit most use is pretty simple... usually less than 1hp electric motor and small hyd pump and less than a 10gal hyd tank... many use an all in one unit with a submerged pump in the tank... for home use these things SHOULD be trouble free... thats a pretty low cycle rate for most of the parts used...

   prices are all over the place on these things... stops matter... (how many floors) the mechanicals don't change much if you stay under 3 stops... ground, 2nd & 3rd floors... just more stages in the lift cylinder more sensors or switches for each stop... pretty simple card runs it all... i've talked to the guys who build the cards and they really aren't alot different than an alarm card with the normally open and normally closed loops...

   good luck

   p

3. 
   junkhound | Nov 11, 2007 05:33pm | #3

   Welcome to BT Wardham, see this is your first post.

   In 'starting to build a house', does that mean you are actually going to build it yourself or just hire somebody.  At BT, 'build a house' usually means you will be doing a substantial protion of the actual construction work yourself.

   Having defined 'build a house', I'd say go the DIY forklift route like p't' suggested.

   Frenchy, BT's forklift hydraulics expert, had a good summary of how to do this in a post a few years ago.  You can find it using the 'advanced search' feature. 

4. 
   xMike | Nov 11, 2007 06:07pm | #4

   Based on my brother's house experience, I'd say that the most important thing will be assuring yourself that the installer is both knowledgeable and experienced.  And that he/she will be the one actually setting up the shaft and installing the elevator.

   If they send in the second string to do the install, you can just about guarantee yourself years of aggravation.

1. 
   MrBill | Nov 11, 2007 08:51pm | #5

   I am pretty sure FHB had a pretty good article about them a couple of years ago. They suggested that even if you dont buy the elevator right away, build in the shaft for it for future use. It was a very interesting article.Bill Koustenis

   Advanced Automotive Machine

   Waldorf Md

1. 
   xMike | Nov 11, 2007 09:58pm | #6

   I remember seeing that article as well.  It was a good article.

   Mike D