DIY Light Hood "Lift" or "Rails"

[jlx4]

Couldn't locate any info in a search.

Anyone know of plans or system for raising and lowering their light hood? I have a 6' hood on a 180 built-in and need to get the hood out of the way to work in the tank. It is currently suspended with chain, I adjust in up and down by removing the chain and hooking it in a different link. Hard on the back these days.

Anway, something similiar in design to a boat lift, only smaller in scale?? Or a pivot or rail system to allow it to swing out of the way while I work. Doesn't have to be pretty, nobody sees it.

Thanks,

 

[Chrisrush]

Look for bicycle racks at Target or someplace similar. They are fairly cheap and work great. I think that Servo on the Large Tank Forum uses them.

Chris

 

[Bug_Power]

go the easy way...2 pullies, some 100lb mono fishing line and a hand crank. pulles should make light work of the hood, and unless you have 200lb hood, you should be fine. you can even get fancy with a small electrical motor if you want and be pretty cheap still. Certain DC motor will run one way if wires are in one direction and another way if they are the other. A simple 4 pole switch will do. Wrap the fishing line around it. Regulate the speed so that it's slow, and go to town You may even be able to find a kit to so something like this at your local electronics store. If you have a harbor freight, they routinely have wenches on sale for under $50.

 

[jlx4]

Many thanks for the replies, I'll check out the resources.

50 bucks for a wench is pretty cheap. I have a wife already, though, and love hear dearly. She puts up with this addiction of mine.:lol: :lol:

 

[Bug_Power]

lol