Over the lift

[Joe R.]

I'm planning to install my first lift. I'm working on the electric in the garage right now. What is handy to have over the lift? A pull down shop light on a spool at both ends of the car? Shop air on a spool, also on both ends? I am planning to put in recessed lights above the lift because the garage is height challenged. I will also install a 20 A outlet for lift power above it.

Thanks in advance!
Joe

[Tom L.]

Re: Over the lift

Lots of outlets on multiple circuits around it, LOTS of light, (some of us don't see so well anymore) and at least one pulldown light with an outlet in the handle, prefeably florescent because incandesant bulbs melt plastic stuff (figured that out the hard way).

I wish I would have thought that I'd have a vette and wanted another before I built my garage, I would have planned for a lift. Unfortunately I didn't, extra ceiling height for a lift never crossed my mind, I was more concerned with space under the garage, I have a full cellar under it for additional storage and workspace.

Good luck!!!

[Daniel K.]

Re: Over the lift

Joe,

Retractable lights at both ends as well as power will be very nice to have. Compressed air from the wall or overhead is very convenient and consider a drain of some sort on each air line to remove any accumulated moisture. Just be sure to get good retractable reels for whatever you choose to coil up.

Sounds like a great project and have fun in your garage.

[John H.]

Re: Over the lift

Joe -

I have two cord reels above my lift - one has a multi-plug on the end for lift power and anything else to plug into, and the other has a fluorescent work light on it.

[Mike M.]

Re: Over the lift

electric hoist to remove and re-install engines.mike

[Gene M.]

Re: Over the lift

Run your rows of light along each side of car as directly over the center gets blocked out by the car.

Need lights along walls to light up under the car when up on lift. Similar to spray booths.

[Gerry P.]

Re: Over the lift

Before hanging anything from ceiling, raise the car up and make a note of where it closes in on the ceiling. In my case, I had to remove one of the ceiling light bulbs to avoid the car hitting it. Leave adequate room on either side to accommodate the fact the car will not always rest on the same place on the lift. Another thing I had to deal with was the overhead cabinets hanging on the garage wall. Mine protrude out far enough that the car will hit them if it is not centered correctly on the lift.
Gerry

[Terry M.]

Re: Over the lift

Don't use the drop light for a power outlet. The separate drop chord for power, like John H shows, is the best solution. The contacts in the light reel are not designed for the kinds of power that can be plugged into them. Sure, something like a Battery Tender would be OK in a light outlet, but a real battery charger is usually too much.

The best option for power outlets is around the perimeter, on multiple circuits. If you must use an extension cord, be sure it is large enough for the load and length. Every extension cord I own is 12/3 -- more expensive, but worth it.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Over the lift

Joe,
If you are installing a 2 post lift, it is handy to have some tennis balls handy.
Put them on the bottom of the screw type pad adjusters so your head doesn't get beat to death when you walk into them.
DUH..........

[Paul J.]

Re: Over the lift

First of all, if your garage has a height issue then you don't want anything over your lift. Do not put cord and hose reels over your lift because the hose/cord will drag against the body. Mine are to the side, and positioned to serve both bays and two pads outside. As John said, a cord reel is preferable to a dedicated light reel because you can use it with drop lights, power tools, and anything else electric. You should have a 20 amp recepticle at the cord reel in the ceiling. You only need one of each. They'll be more than long enough to reach anywhere around the car. If you need more cord/hose, you can just plug in another extension, although my reels are more than long enough.

As for a hoist, I would not put one over any lift. With your height situation it could hit the hood, but the time that you need a hoist is not the time that you will be using the lift. The hoist should go in another bay.

Paul

[Glen C.]

Re: Over the lift

This might not be what you are asking, but I'll mention it anyway. You didn't say how much verticle height you have. I have 11' 4" but I still moved my garage door rails up an additional 2 feet had the door rebalanced, & eliminated the conventional opener out of the middle of the garage ceiling. I got a Chamberlin Liftmaster Jackshaft opener, about $300 on ebay. It is really slick mounts up on the wall next to the door. It has an electrical solenoid lock, remote light, plus other accessories.

[Joe R.]

Re: Over the lift

LOTS of light, (some of us don't see so well anymore)

Lynn,

I'm right there with ya. My vision is dropping like a stone here lately! Thanks for the tips.

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: Over the lift

electric hoist to remove and re-install engines.mike

Mike,

I hadn't thought about that. I will look into it.

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: Over the lift

Run your rows of light along each side of car as directly over the center gets blocked out by the car.

Need lights along walls to light up under the car when up on lift. Similar to spray booths.

Gene,

My garage is may just be the world's smallest two car. It's 18 ' x 18 '. I will have a row of three shop lights on each side pretty close to the lift. See photos. Thanks to Gary Chesnut for info on how to calculate how much lighting is needed. I will also have three recessed lights over the lift (in the center of the garage) like I mentioned previously.

I will incorporate your idea about the wall lights. Yet another thing I hadn't thought of.

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: Over the lift

First of all, if your garage has a height issue then you don't want anything over your lift. Do not put cord and hose reels over your lift because the hose/cord will drag against the body. Mine are to the side, and positioned to serve both bays and two pads outside. As John said, a cord reel is preferable to a dedicated light reel because you can use it with drop lights, power tools, and anything else electric. You should have a 20 amp recepticle at the cord reel in the ceiling. You only need one of each. They'll be more than long enough to reach anywhere around the car. If you need more cord/hose, you can just plug in another extension, although my reels are more than long enough.

As for a hoist, I would not put one over any lift. With your height situation it could hit the hood, but the time that you need a hoist is not the time that you will be using the lift. The hoist should go in another bay.

Paul

Paul,

Maybe my posts from today will make my situation clearer. It's a hip roof, so the "ceiling" is not flat anywhere. So I think a cord reel and / or shop air hose reel should work.

I only have one bay to work in because of the way the rafters are now braced to eliminate the X brace so I can go up in the middle. So I don't know if an electric hoist is possible or not.

Joe