Manual to Electric hose reel conversion

[Able 1]

 

[JS41035]

I see the logic in that. I was more interested in ease of fabricating. I like the idea of a permantly mounted motor. Also I don't have to loosen 4 bolts to tension belt.
Im not sure how trouble free it will be in the long term.

 

[BIG WOOD]

I'm sure it has been done before. But I thought I would post a bit about the process.
I had a couple manual vacuum hose reels that came with a truck I bought.
The conversion was relatively easy. That being said, if you have zero welding or fab experience this might be very hard for you.

We bought 2 DC motors $180 each, enough for two reels
1" channel-20' section
2" angle iron
6" x 1/4 plate about a foot
Misc bolts for attaching motor to bracket
Roughly 12' of link belt, about $60.00 per reel
1.5" 5/8 pulley $10.00

Instead of a big push button momentary switch, we went with a standard Ford starter solenoid. I love the Butler electric hose reel push button, so we bought some gooseneck flexible tube, and put a small push button on the end. I soldered the wires to the switch, but you can buy momentary switches with both wires already attached on Ebay

Can you post a link to where you bought the dc motor, channel, and belt from?

 

[Mikey P]

I love the action of the motorized Rokan

I found Ely rolling it up by hand last week, fighting the belt drive..


"Dude, just how much of a broke dick do you think I am?...see that button?"

 

[Shane T]

This was my take on what Keith did with the motor, sprokets & chain. It's a little hard to see but it is just 2 pieces of flat stock welded across the reel frame. 4 slightly elongated holes in the flat stock.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

four slots and a larger hole for the motor shaft, we have 2 that are this way and 1 that is the way your is. We like the all welded bracket with slots to be much more rigid and not trouble free.

Justin's bracket is MUCH more solid than any other I've seen. I wanted to avoid any design that involved loosening the 4 motor bolts because of the billet they thread into. One big bolt locks it down after swiveling into place.

Time will tell.

 

[Able 1]

I have never touched those 4 bolts..

I don't like that the hoses will be dripping on the motor when it's raining or when dealing with snow..

Mine is all rusty, and it's higher and to the side..

 

[JS41035]

Can you post a link to where you bought the dc motor, channel, and belt from?

Link belt from Harbor freight. Not any cheaper than Amazon.
Standard ford starter solenoid. From any Auto parts store.
The motor is on eBay. Dad can you post that link?
The channel and plate should be bought locally. I would recommend having them cut it.i It is sold in 20' sections, so take your reel height and multiply by 3.14 add 2 foot then have them cut it. When they roll the channel there will be flat spots so make sure you add a few feet.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Can you show us a pic of how the solenoid is used as a switch?

 

[JS41035]

I'm out of town right now. But the solenoid allows me to use a much smaller momentary switch. The small button on the end of the flexible black gooseneck tubing simply (when pushed ) gives power to the left side of the solenoid. That closes the contacts and allows the heavy current from the battery to flow to the motor. The small switch could never handle the load that the motor needs. If you didn't use a solenoid relay, the push button would have to be much bigger (capable of handling the max load the motor might need). Lots of reels use those with no problems. I just had Butler envy.

 

[JS41035]

This is a large push button starter switch. No need for a solenoid if you went this route

 

[Lee Stockwell]

On ebay type in: hose reel motor.

Down 4 or 5 is a new motor, $152/17 shipping.

I noticed tonight some used Hannay motors that are much cheaper at the top of that search.

As long as it is 12v, 400-800rpm, and 35-45 amps it will work great.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Can you show us a pic of how the solenoid is used as a switch?

The solenoid has two BIG terminals, facing left and right. Left to battery positive, right to Load (starter or motor). It also has 2 smaller terminals in the center. The one on the left is the trigger, the one on the right is a low current output you won't need.

 

[JS41035]

On ebay type in: hose reel motor.

Down 4 or 5 is a new motor, $152/17 shipping.

I noticed tonight some used Hannay motors that are much cheaper at the top of that search.

As long as it is 12v, 400-800rpm, and 35-45 amps it will work great.

That was easier than cut and paste.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Wire any small trigger switch with one wire on the same post as the battery lug on the far left, and the smaller trigger post left center.

DC motors can be reversed by reversing the motor leads. Test direction before installing, you won't need power out.

Chevy vans have a spare 50amp auxiliary connection I'll use. Make SURE you have a similar fuse.

Tape and insulate well.

 

[Shane T]

The solenoid has two BIG terminals, facing left and right. Left to battery positive, right to Load (starter or motor). It also has 2 smaller terminals in the center. The one on the left is the trigger, the one on the right is a low current output you won't need.

You will also need to run a heavy gauge wire from the reel frame to van ground.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

You will also need to run a heavy gauge wire from the reel frame to van ground.

More importantly to the negative wire on the DC motor. Grounding the frame doesn't actually complete the circuit by itself.

 

[Cleantechsk]

Looks like a half inch shaft on that motor?

Cant seem to find a link for that motor if someone can help me out

at a crossroads my self. Would love to buy an electric but after conversion and shipping it might be better to have one made from scratch.. Sucks...

 

[Cleantechsk]

a hah!
found it

http://www.imperialelectric.com/products/power_reel_motors.php

 

[JS41035]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Hose-Re...VDC-1-3HP-Electric-Motor-12V-DC-/131028998661

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Still going strong 28 months later, no adjustments needed yet.

 

[AJR]

I Think I want to try this. What anyone have a shopping list and source for sprockets , chains etc.

 

[AJR]

Has anyone tried a winch motor? It does have higher rpm but more hp.

DB Electrical LRW0001 New Winch Motor for 12V Ramsey Bi-Directional Hd Mbj4407, 12... Amazon product

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Still working flawlessly.

 

[Nomad74]

Has anyone tried a winch motor? It does have higher rpm but more hp.

DB Electrical LRW0001 New Winch Motor for 12V Ramsey Bi-Directional Hd Mbj4407, 12... Amazon product

Too slow

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Too slow

Put a bigger drive pulley on it.

 

[AJR]

Well I found the 12 volt cox reel motor eBay for $150 . I am using a 8 tooth drive gear and 112 tooth reel gear with chain. Basically the same ratio as the reel on vortex or aero . My chain driven reel on 777 is a beast and I am hopeful this project will work as well.

 

[ronbeatty]

I have four Hanney reels if you are interested.

 

[Nomad74]

I would like to install a second live solution reel. Macy and I have been killing it double wanding jobs. We've been pushing the 870 to it's full capacity and making killer time. I'm not sure where I would put the second reel yet.

 

[Mikey P]

I would like to install a second live solution reel. Macy and I have been killing it double wanding jobs. We've been pushing the 870 to it's full capacity and making killer time. I'm not sure where I would put the second reel yet.

Get out of that piece of s*** ram ProMaster and buying a zuzu with the GMC gas motor and an Aerotech box.