I'm almost-nearly-started on installing a bunch of motorized ceiling-storage platforms in my garage. I was researching which winch/hoist to buy when I realized that I'd rather not buy one electric winch motor per platform.
Is there a gearbox of some sort where I could hook up a single motor to a half-dozen (or so) reels, and select which reel gets rotated? I would hook each reel up to one ceiling-storage platform. Each reel would have to have a brake of its own, so when it's not engaged, it doesn't rotate. (The stuff on the ceiling needs to stay on the ceiling when the motor isn't hooked up to it.)
Edit: I don't have access to a machine shop. I'm trying to figure out if it's cheaper to go for the gearbox, or just one winch per platform (at around $75 each). I'll build the platform and set up the pulleys myself. I figure that each platform + stuff will weigh around 200 pounds, and the current plan will have enough pulleys to have a 4:1 lift ratio. (I'm going to use a single cable that goes back and forth to the ceiling several times, for stability.)
Best Answer
At 4:1, 200 lbs should not be difficult to lift by hand. Save yourself the $75 and just buy a rope cleat to secure the lift cable.