Guide to installing Automotech AS-7230 scissor lift
Discussion
sjj84 said:
Mine arrived yesterday, hopefully fit it at the weekend. Christ it's heavy!
Good luck with the install, I have a 7430h arriving on Tuesday so any lessons you learn along the way would be welcome!I had a few conversations with Automotech about the options, bringing the ramps closer together is fine (I need to do this to support the front jacking points on my vx220), I may need to get some alternative hoses made up to reflect the smaller gap, but will see how it looks. 16amp outlet is in place ready to go.
They're great on the phone, not so communicative on email.
I found them to respond quickly the one time I emailed them. Guess it depends how busy they are.
Not had a chance to do anything other than unbox the control unit so far and put together the engine crane I bought at the same time. Looks pretty simple to install in all fairness just awkward to manoeuvre.
Hopefully make a start tomorrow, I need to get a different breaker for the supply and won't be able to get one until next week.
Not had a chance to do anything other than unbox the control unit so far and put together the engine crane I bought at the same time. Looks pretty simple to install in all fairness just awkward to manoeuvre.
Hopefully make a start tomorrow, I need to get a different breaker for the supply and won't be able to get one until next week.
Re: moving ramps around, just a note to say if you get the mid-rise type as I have, the unit you use to control the ramps acts like a handle of say, a pallet truck, to hook onto the front and move them around. You get a small set of wheels which are slid into the ramps, then as the ramps are lowered, the rear end of the ramp rests just on those wheels and then you use the control unit (which is also on wheels) to move it around. Better on a nice flat surface of course, as even these ramps are heavy!
They also don't need to be bolted to the ground.
They also don't need to be bolted to the ground.
My 7430h arrived today, very helpful delivery driver was more than happy to put it in the garage for me (thanks to whoever mentioned it being the right way around!), Had a quick poke at it, appears to be very solidly constructed. This one came stacked with the two ramps bolted to a steel frame & the control box on top.
Off out for a work Christmas do so it shall have to wait a few days.
Off out for a work Christmas do so it shall have to wait a few days.
It's unpacked and ready for positioning, annoyingly I'd missed that the hoses for this one route at the front... So I need to turn it through 180°. It's sat on some dolleys I made up, have recruited dad to help with this on Boxing Day, just needs some care, on the dolleys it's reasonably easy to move (for a 300kg 2.something metre long lump of metal joined by hoses to another 300kg 2.something metre long lump of metal)
It's very very very heavy, I can't pickup one end of one ramp by hand at all - some care is needed unpacking it, getting fingers or toes in the wrong place would be a very bad day out.
Still, will be great once it's in!
It's very very very heavy, I can't pickup one end of one ramp by hand at all - some care is needed unpacking it, getting fingers or toes in the wrong place would be a very bad day out.
Still, will be great once it's in!
Smokin Donut said:
As there is some interest, a few further thoughts:
During the installation Automotech were very helpful and knowledgeable on the phone. I noticed the female connector for the upper limit optical proximity sensor was wired differently (wire colors didn’t match) to the male connector. I called Automotech and they said to plug it in. When I did the lift wouldn’t operate. When I unplugged the sensor the lift worked. After some testing I realized the sensor wasn’t working and the incorrect wiring had probably shorted it. Automotech dispatched a replacement that arrived the next day and with the wire colors matching it worked fine.
None of the wiring on my limit switches match up, both sides of the plugs have numbers on the wires and they're opposites. Obviously on the switches that won't matter, but on the optical limit I'm guessing it might. The three pin plug is the only one of the four that is correct!During the installation Automotech were very helpful and knowledgeable on the phone. I noticed the female connector for the upper limit optical proximity sensor was wired differently (wire colors didn’t match) to the male connector. I called Automotech and they said to plug it in. When I did the lift wouldn’t operate. When I unplugged the sensor the lift worked. After some testing I realized the sensor wasn’t working and the incorrect wiring had probably shorted it. Automotech dispatched a replacement that arrived the next day and with the wire colors matching it worked fine.
Edited by Smokin Donut on Sunday 10th November 23:09
You've beaten me, still not finished mine, not had the time to spend on it really. It's piped up and I've sorted the wiring, just need to level and bolt down.
On your level sensor, might be a stupid question but have you checked the sensor is looking through the holes properly, one of mine was loose so was pointing upwards instead of sideways. If it's powered up and seeing the other side you should see a red light on the sensor.
On your level sensor, might be a stupid question but have you checked the sensor is looking through the holes properly, one of mine was loose so was pointing upwards instead of sideways. If it's powered up and seeing the other side you should see a red light on the sensor.
Thanks for the information re the sensor, there's no light at all visible on this which backs up my theory that it's dead.
After I posted the above I changed the brake fluid in my wife's car, the lift made it a complete joy, really quick and no need to remove the wheels.
My wife and daughters are at the mother in law's house in Spain, gave me the perfect opportunity to get it finished!
After I posted the above I changed the brake fluid in my wife's car, the lift made it a complete joy, really quick and no need to remove the wheels.
My wife and daughters are at the mother in law's house in Spain, gave me the perfect opportunity to get it finished!
Hope you guys don't mind my chiming on on this thread, I am in the process of designing myself a new garage from the ground up and would like some advice.
I am constrained to a floor space of 5.5m x 5.5m, 2.5m height to eaves, then pitched roof up to 4m.
What lift would you go for in my situation?
I would like the ability to store 2 cars, but due to size constraints just work on the one at a time.
A 4-poster on one side, with space to store one below would be ace, but due to my max height of 2.5m this wont be possible.
Is a movable lift a good idea? Or, something that is sunken into the floor?
I am constrained to a floor space of 5.5m x 5.5m, 2.5m height to eaves, then pitched roof up to 4m.
What lift would you go for in my situation?
I would like the ability to store 2 cars, but due to size constraints just work on the one at a time.
A 4-poster on one side, with space to store one below would be ace, but due to my max height of 2.5m this wont be possible.
Is a movable lift a good idea? Or, something that is sunken into the floor?
Toaster Pilot said:
Do Automotech offer an “installation” service for these lifts - i.e. send a couple of folk to unpack, position and commission instead of just a pallet delivery?
I'm fairly certain they do, no idea on cost though, I guess it depends how far from them you are. Fitting is fairly simple, the hardest part is moving it around, I ordered an engine crane from them too just to aid installing it.James-k8r82 said:
Hope you guys don't mind my chiming on on this thread, I am in the process of designing myself a new garage from the ground up and would like some advice.
I am constrained to a floor space of 5.5m x 5.5m, 2.5m height to eaves, then pitched roof up to 4m.
What lift would you go for in my situation?
I would like the ability to store 2 cars, but due to size constraints just work on the one at a time.
A 4-poster on one side, with space to store one below would be ace, but due to my max height of 2.5m this wont be possible.
Is a movable lift a good idea? Or, something that is sunken into the floor?
Personally I think sunken into the floor centrally if you have one large garage door would be ideal. Mine is right up against one wall so have to drive or reverse in depending on what side of the car I'm working on. It's a massive compromise however I purchased and installed it knowing it's not going to be our forever home and so have made do without going to massive expense.I am constrained to a floor space of 5.5m x 5.5m, 2.5m height to eaves, then pitched roof up to 4m.
What lift would you go for in my situation?
I would like the ability to store 2 cars, but due to size constraints just work on the one at a time.
A 4-poster on one side, with space to store one below would be ace, but due to my max height of 2.5m this wont be possible.
Is a movable lift a good idea? Or, something that is sunken into the floor?
- yeah that’s what I was keen to avoid!For the engine crane the are very very competitive, 2 ton crane for £120 I think it was, everywhere else was nearer £200. I looked into hiring but even that was about £60ish, plus I'd have to collect and return and get it all done in a day. Plus as I mentioned, I'll be moving one day so would need again, only problem with buying rather than renting is I've got to find somewhere to store it!
I've spent most of the holidays under the wife's MK1 Golf and have enjoyed removing all the running gear in comfort and saved so much time. I'm super happy with my lift. An unexpected bonus is the extra floor space I have gained while the car is up on the lift above head height.
Interesting to hear others have had issues with the limit sensor wiring, Automotech must have a color blind electrician!
I'd suggest a sunken scissor lift or the 4 poster if you can get enough height to get the second car underneath. Also depends on what size of car you have.
Interesting to hear others have had issues with the limit sensor wiring, Automotech must have a color blind electrician!
James-k8r82 said:
Hope you guys don't mind my chiming on on this thread, I am in the process of designing myself a new garage from the ground up and would like some advice.
I am constrained to a floor space of 5.5m x 5.5m, 2.5m height to eaves, then pitched roof up to 4m.
What lift would you go for in my situation?
I would like the ability to store 2 cars, but due to size constraints just work on the one at a time.
A 4-poster on one side, with space to store one below would be ace, but due to my max height of 2.5m this wont be possible.
Is a movable lift a good idea? Or, something that is sunken into the floor?
If you're going to have a workbench along one wall and shelves along the other you'll not have much room between the cars when both are parked in the garage. If you raise the eaves up the pitch you will get a little more height or buy a metal framed building and have no eaves so you can lift to about 3.5m.I am constrained to a floor space of 5.5m x 5.5m, 2.5m height to eaves, then pitched roof up to 4m.
What lift would you go for in my situation?
I would like the ability to store 2 cars, but due to size constraints just work on the one at a time.
A 4-poster on one side, with space to store one below would be ace, but due to my max height of 2.5m this wont be possible.
Is a movable lift a good idea? Or, something that is sunken into the floor?
I'd suggest a sunken scissor lift or the 4 poster if you can get enough height to get the second car underneath. Also depends on what size of car you have.
Toaster Pilot said:
Do Automotech offer an “installation” service for these lifts - i.e. send a couple of folk to unpack, position and commission instead of just a pallet delivery?
Yes Automotech fit their lifts, they told me most are fitted by them. Give them a call, they are very helpful.Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff