Chandelier lift

[GerryB]

Just got a confirmation from a customer that wants to go ahead with a lift for their new chandelier. Supply house carries Aladdin brand. The rep said there is a way to hook it to the old light and lower it, don't know if I want to try that or just get a staging as I planned. The old light looks fairly heavy, new one not so much. Old light is apparently a pancake box mounted to a 2x8 between the joists. She wants a dimmer so I know I need a different source for the lift. My questions if any one has done one are how did it go, can I lower the old one or should I get a staging, and either way once the lift is in I would think you could wire the new chandelier on the ground? Thanks for any input.

 

[mikhen]

It's been a few years but I have done a few.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by staging.
You are correct, once the lift is installed, you can wire the light on the ground.
A few things I remember about them.....
-Just about all the work is done from the attic, except for removing the old fixture.
-You have to be able to get above the location and have room for the motor housing
-The light wiring is different from the lift wiring, so a dimmer is no problem
-Unless they changed the design, the contact plate in the canopy has lots of uninsulated areas to make complete the connections when lifted, make sure your ground wires are out of the way
-The lift is controlled by a key switch, and its a very slow procedure to lift or lower. We used a pair of vice grips or adjustable wrench to hold the key in the motion position.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[GerryB]

It's been a few years but I have done a few.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by staging.
You are correct, once the lift is installed, you can wire the light on the ground.
A few things I remember about them.....
-Just about all the work is done from the attic, except for removing the old fixture.
-You have to be able to get above the location and have room for the motor housing
-The light wiring is different from the lift wiring, so a dimmer is no problem
-Unless they changed the design, the contact plate in the canopy has lots of uninsulated areas to make complete the connections when lifted, make sure your ground wires are out of the way
-The lift is controlled by a key switch, and its a very slow procedure to lift or lower. We used a pair of vice grips or adjustable wrench to hold the key in the motion position.

Hope this helps a little.

Thanks, it is helpful. Staging I meant rent a scaffold to take existing light down. The height is 18'

 

[mikhen]

Thanks, it is helpful. Staging I meant rent a scaffold to take existing light down. The height is 18'

Or a tall ladder. We use 14'

 

[John120/240]

Or a tall ladder. We use 14'

That depends on how heavy the old fixture is. Have a 14' walk up both sides step ladder. When I was younger I would scamper up the ladder & hang all kinds of stuff. Not so much now. If you had two ladders I would be more comfortable with two men one on each ladder to remove the old fixture.

 

[donaldelectrician]

I always worked alone .


Iuse a rope to raise or lower any size fixture .




Don

 

[growler]

I use a rope to raise or lower any size fixture .




Don

So do I, why would anyone want to take a chance and carry a heavy fixture down or up a ladder.

I have a small metal pully & rope that once everything is hooked -up I can stand on the floor an lower or raise a reasonably heavy fixture by myself and if it's real heavy I may need another person but we can work from floor level.