Mayor111

Hey Guys,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 4 post lift for lifting (2) C7's. The directions say I need a 110v 20 amp outlet...but the vendor is saying to up it to 30 amp? Can anyone tell me what is truly necessary for operating the lift? Is is easy to change my 20 amp outlet to a 30 amp? This outlet will not be shared or used by anything but the lift.

Thanks!

Buddhaman

Should be easy to change the breaker in the box. Electrician would be best if you aren’t comfortable but it’s like changing a fuse.

Bill Dearborn

How much current does the pump motor draw, especially when It is turned on? The vendor may have sufficient experience with the pump motor current draw and problems other people have had to know you really don't want to use a 20 amp circuit. You don't want to be raising the lift, let off the up button, then decide the lift has to go up a little more, hit the up button again, and blow the breaker.

As for the cost it depends on how your house is wired. A 20 amp circuit can be wired on 10 or 12 gauge wire. Most people will probably use 12 gauge to save money, and because it is easier to work with. A 30 amp circuit needs 10 gauge wire. If your house is wired with 12 gauge I imagine an electrician will just add a new circuit with 10 gauge wire, a 30 amp breaker in the breaker box, and a 30 amp receptacle along with the in-wall electrical box. If the 20 amp circuit is wired with 10 gauge then the changes are a different breaker and a different receptacle.

Talk to a few local electricians to get estimates of how much it will cost to add the circuit.

Bill

Dads2kconvertible

May have to change the receptacle too, standard household receptacle is rated for 15 amps.
Looking at Lowes, I don't see any standard plug receptacles that are rated for 30 amp. The 30 amp/125 volt rated ones look like electric stove or dryer plugs.

SecondWind

Can't just change the breaker size. You need the wire to be able to handle the current or you will burn your house down.

Jim Barker

Most these lifts have ability to be wired 110 or 220 with a simple switch of the feed wires. 220 would be simpler unless you are a long way from your electrical panel. Twice the voltage half the amperage.

Jim Barker

If you insist on 110 volts then a slow blow or delayed breaker might get you by the initial hit of peak currant. But stay with the size breaker that is sized for the wire

UBNZO6D

I've had my 4 post plugged into my regular outlet for 12 years...NO ISSUES!!! And has always had a car on top.

NortonCO

The manufacturer knows their product better than any vendor, or forum member. Stick with their recommendations.
It's unlikely you can easily "change your 20 amp outlet to a 30 amp." As others have said, a circuit's load limit is driven by a combination of things including the breaker, wiring, and receptacle ratings. To safely handle a given current draw, ALL the components must be appropriately specified.

While "easy" to change the breaker, doing only that would result in unsafe current levels traversing a circuit designed to carry less, creating a fire hazard. Given the OP's question, consulting an electrician is a very good idea.

x2.

7LitreC5

I run my Direct Lift on a 20A 110V outlet.

Buddhaman

My brain must be fried from work this week. Breaker must be rated for 30amp, proper gauge wiring needed (hopefully no aluminum wiring in your house), and rated outlet. Best bet would be electrician at that point in case a new wire needs to be ran or some oddball outlet needed.

I’ll blame my stupidity on being a mechanical engineer and not electrical (even though I focused heavily on circuits in college).

v1 rot8

I have been working my four post lift on 20amp breaker, 12-2WG , 20 amp plug for half a dozen years. Zero issues.