I'm looking at adding a resistor or bulb inside an Acorn stair lift motor housing to keep the temperature about 40degF. The unit is in an unheated area and temps get too low for the motor to turn normally. I considered an electric blanket or pad but having an elderly person messing with something on the stairs is not a good idea. Also, there's the issue of having a separate part and cord to deal with.

Check this out and post some comments what you think. I have done this when setting up electronic devices in remote locations, installed in an insulated box with a car battery & resistor. In this case a night light bulb might be another choice.

Sketch
http://i67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.gif
http://oi67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.jpg

How cold is cold, 32F or 50F or what? Also, the figure was a little confusing!!! Is the battery connected to charge at both the top and bottom? If so, then light could be on whenever the battery is being charged, but off when in motion,

On 18/02/2016 16:46, Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney wrote:
I'm looking at adding a resistor or bulb inside an Acorn stair lift motor housing to keep the temperature about 40degF. The unit is in an unheated area and temps get too low for the motor to turn normally. I considered an electric blanket or pad but having an elderly person messing with something on the stairs is not a good idea. Also, there's the issue of having a separate part and cord to deal with.

Check this out and post some comments what you think. I have done this when setting up electronic devices in remote locations, installed in an insulated box with a car battery & resistor. In this case a night light bulb might be another choice.

Sketch
http://i67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.gif
http://oi67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.jpg


What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

"N_Cook" wrote in message
...
On 18/02/2016 16:46, Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney wrote:
I'm looking at adding a resistor or bulb inside an Acorn stair lift motor
housing to keep the temperature about 40degF. The unit is in an unheated
area and temps get too low for the motor to turn normally. I considered
an electric blanket or pad but having an elderly person messing with
something on the stairs is not a good idea. Also, there's the issue of
having a separate part and cord to deal with.

Check this out and post some comments what you think. I have done this
when setting up electronic devices in remote locations, installed in an
insulated box with a car battery & resistor. In this case a night light
bulb might be another choice.

Sketch
http://i67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.gif
http://oi67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.jpg


What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

Is it the motor that is the problem or the batteries? The way I read this is
the batteries are the problem. A PTC heater and some good insulation would
seem to be the better answer.

wrote in message ...
How cold is cold, 32F or 50F or what? Also, the figure was a little confusing!!! Is the battery connected to charge at both the top and bottom? If so, then light could be on whenever the battery is being charged, but off when in motion,

Normal winter night temp in the stairway is 25-45, with a few nights 10-25.

Charging contacts are at top and bottom. Chair is at top nearly all the time.

Only need resistor or lamp on when charging.

"N_Cook" wrote in message ...
On 18/02/2016 16:46, Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney wrote:
I'm looking at adding a resistor or bulb inside an Acorn stair lift motor housing to keep the temperature about 40degF. The unit is in an unheated area and temps get too low for the motor to turn normally. I considered an electric blanket or pad but having an elderly person messing with something on the stairs is not a good idea. Also, there's the issue of having a separate part and cord to deal with.

Check this out and post some comments what you think. I have done this when setting up electronic devices in remote locations, installed in an insulated box with a car battery & resistor. In this case a night light bulb might be another choice.

Sketch
http://i67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.gif
http://oi67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.jpg


What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

It keeps the grease from getting hard.

"Tom Miller" wrote in message ...

"N_Cook" wrote in message
...
On 18/02/2016 16:46, Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney wrote:
I'm looking at adding a resistor or bulb inside an Acorn stair lift motor
housing to keep the temperature about 40degF. The unit is in an unheated
area and temps get too low for the motor to turn normally. I considered
an electric blanket or pad but having an elderly person messing with
something on the stairs is not a good idea. Also, there's the issue of
having a separate part and cord to deal with.

Check this out and post some comments what you think. I have done this
when setting up electronic devices in remote locations, installed in an
insulated box with a car battery & resistor. In this case a night light
bulb might be another choice.

Sketch
http://i67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.gif
http://oi67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.jpg


What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

Is it the motor that is the problem or the batteries? The way I read this is
the batteries are the problem. A PTC heater and some good insulation would
seem to be the better answer.

The heat would be for the lubrication in the motor and gears. Heat for battery is not needed.

Thanks everyone.

In article , Snuffy-Hub-
says...

What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

It keeps the grease from getting hard.

So clean off this cheapo grease and replace with cold-adapted
alternative?

Mike.

"MJC" wrote in message ...
In article , Snuffy-Hub-
says...

What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

It keeps the grease from getting hard.

So clean off this cheapo grease and replace with cold-adapted
alternative?

Mike

Yes, that's by far the best idea but next to impossible to get to where the grease is without major disassembly. And that's nothing compared with putting it all back together again.... I did a partial disassy once before which took a good 2 days. Chair was originally installed on the right side of the stairs and had to move it later to another stairway on the left side. Everything had to be switched to the other side. I still can't believe we did it and got everything back working.

On 02/18/2016 1:14 PM, Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney wrote:
"Tom Miller" wrote in message ...

"N_Cook" wrote in message
...
On 18/02/2016 16:46, Snuffy "Hub Cap" McKinney wrote:
I'm looking at adding a resistor or bulb inside an Acorn stair lift motor
housing to keep the temperature about 40degF. The unit is in an unheated
area and temps get too low for the motor to turn normally. I considered
an electric blanket or pad but having an elderly person messing with
something on the stairs is not a good idea. Also, there's the issue of
having a separate part and cord to deal with.

Check this out and post some comments what you think. I have done this
when setting up electronic devices in remote locations, installed in an
insulated box with a car battery & resistor. In this case a night light
bulb might be another choice.

Sketch
http://i67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.gif
http://oi67.tinypic.com/t9jmac.jpg


What happens if the room is cold and you selectively heat only the
bearings/gear box with hot air?

Is it the motor that is the problem or the batteries? The way I read this is
the batteries are the problem. A PTC heater and some good insulation would
seem to be the better answer.

The heat would be for the lubrication in the motor and gears. Heat for battery is not needed.

Thanks everyone.


Get some low temperature grease and oil for your motor and gearbox -
there are synthetics that cover a wider range than regular oils and grease.

Check with the manufacturers of the chair lift - they may have
recommendations in this matter.

John :-#)#

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