New HF Scissor Lift Owner Needs Help.....

[boyt911sc]

The scissor lift arrived a couple weeks ago as scheduled. Unloading and unpacking the lift went smoothly. Next was to inspect and test the equipment before using. This is Model 91315 rated at 6000 lbs. capacity with 48" lift height.

There is only a 15-ampere circuit (electrical) with 12 gauge wire available in my garage and used it to power the motor. It would run briefly and tripped the circuit breaker. Tried several times and same results.

So my question is what circuit breaker do I need in my power source circuitry? Should 20 amp be sufficient? Any suggestions, tips, guides, recommendations is highly appreciated.

Tony

[makaio]

My Eagle lift is just a re-badged HF model and it runs all day on a 20 amp circuit.

[Bill Verburg]

12 wire is supposed to have a 20amp breaker

[john walker's workshop]

are those things bolted to the floor or do they just sit there? often wondered about cars falling off sideways.

[CarreraCab]

Tony, if you truly do have #12 wire out to the garage, you are set, just change out the breaker to a 20amp unit. Make sure that the existing wire is not #14 !! That size should only be fused at 15amps ! If you install a 20amp breaker on #14 wire, you will have problems and an unsafe condition. Doug

[mackskibum]

Carrera was too quick- I was going to say the same thing re: wire size. FWIW you may want to change the outlets to a 20A 115V config as well- some small MIG's and air compressors have this style plug on the end...

JW- yep, they just sit there- I don't know how stable they are for really working on tight fasteners, etc.

[Bill Verburg]

FWIW you may want to change the outlets to a 20A 115V config as well- some small MIG's and air compressors have this style plug on the end...

While 110(or so) outlets are rated at 15 or 20 amps, the configuration of the plug receptacles is always the same. The difference is heavier duty internal circuit parts.

Now 220v(or so) outlets do have a totally different config, It's a safety thing, you don't want to plug 115v appliances into 220v receptacles, the reverse usually isn't much of a problem

[Bill Verburg]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
are those things bolted to the floor or do they just sit there? often wondered about cars falling off sideways.

They're mostly for working on wheels and brakes, I wouldn't want to put a lot of side load if it was up very high.

[boyt911sc]

Used #12 gauge wire when I did the wiring and installed a 15 amp circuit breaker 20 plus years ago. Since then additional equipment like MIG welder, air compressor, grinder, etc. were hooked up. No problem until the arrival of the lift.

The circuit breaker will be changed from 15 to 20 amps circuitry. Thanks to all for the suggestions and recommedations. Season's Greeting To All !!!!!!

Tony

[autobonrun]

Not familiar with a scissor lift mechanicals. The motor should have a name tag with rated full load voltage and current. It may also list starting current. If so, what's shown on the nametag for these two ratings?

[North Coast Cab]

Mackskibum is actually correct that there is a 20amp receptacle configuration which is different from 120v 15amp and 240v. The right side of the receptacle is horizontal and the left is verticle. As many mentioned though, the 12awg wire is key to run a 20amp circuit so either pull the receptacle and check or check at the breaker. Also, I would think instructions would identify the circuit draw and clarify for you whether you actually need 20amps. It's also possible there is something else running on the circuit which is consuming part of the available 15amps.

John

EDIT: just checked the HF website and it lists it as a 10amp draw at 120v so there must be something else significant running on that circuit.

[mackskibum]

Could also be a bad breaker- its been known to happen.

[Bill Verburg]

Mackskibum is actually correct that there is a 20amp receptacle configuration which is different from 120v 15amp and 240v. The right side of the receptacle is horizontal and the left is verticle.

If you're talking about this one it's a 220v outlet


If you are referring to the NEMA t slot that is still a 120v receptacle


Here are all the NEMA types

AC receptacles

[Rot 911]

I am surprised that it would be a 20 amp motor without the 20 amp plug end as described in the previous post.

[greglepore]

I think the specs are poorly written-its a 110/220 unit, and spec'd at 10/14 amps-it almost certainly is 14 amps at 110 and 10 at 220. A 15 amp breaker would be very marginal, particularly in cold conditions with a stiff new lift and a run of some distance from the panel. Use a 20 amp breaker if you've confirmed 12g wiring.

[Bill Verburg]

This is a NEMA 110-120vAC 20amp t slot plug.

The male plugs all look the same, 20amp will just be beefier. The t portion is not used for residential appliances in the US.

[Don Plumley]

There are also these locking receptacles.



Not sure what they are for, but they are rated 50A and look cool!

[73911guy]

I bought a used Snap-On mid rise lift and when I went to pick it up it would blow the 15 amp breaker every time I pushed the go button.

Your unit is under warranty so how far you go is up to you and HF.

Here's what I suggest to trouble shoot the hydraulic unit (after spending a lot of time chasing my tail):
1. Make sure you've got it on a 20 amp circuit and that there isn't anything else running on the circuit. Use a clamp on ammeter to double check that there isn't any load on the circuit. Just remember to put the clamp around the black wire, not both the black and white (hot and neutral).
2. See if the pump will actually pump - disconnect the hydraulic line to the cylinders, stick it in the resevoir and see if it will pump fluid back into the resevoir without any load on the pump.
3. See if the motor will run without a load. Disconnect the electric motor from the pump and see if it will run without blowing the circuit breaker.
4. If the motor won't run, check the start capacitor - it should read zero ohms if it is OK. After that, an electric motor shop can test it to see what is wrong.

I ended up renegotiating the price and buying a new motor. All the shops told me rewinding anything under 5 HP is a waste of money. But in your case it should all be under warranty - hope you can work things out with HF.

Jim

[mackskibum]

Bill- you are correct- not for residential appliances- but my 110V MIG uses a connector like the one in your second photo- had to put one in for that purpose.

From your earlier post- 5-20R

[greglepore]

My experience w/ a 110 welder is same as Mack's-SnapOn's 110 welder use the 5-20R style.