power lift

[james2000]

I have a 2002 Viking and have a manual crank lift. What imformation does anyone have to help with power lifts...manufactor...types. I have even heard of using a drill but the Viking folks does not recommend that as they have experienced problems with damages caused by the drill effect. I was also woundering if it is worth the trouble to mount a power lift?
thanks for any help.
James

[PattieAM]

Have you tried a 'Socket Jenie' (attachment for a drill)?  If you do not overcrank when using the drill, you should not have any problems.  I could not afford a cordless drill, but had a heavy duty drill with appropriate chuck, and have used my drill/socket Jenie several times.  I do not raise the roof all the way with it, but within an inch or two (I've marked the supports) I will manually crank it up, and same with down.  You can view them at the PUX Store (//www.puxtradingpost.com).

[wavery]

A lot of people (myself included) have used a low speed HD 1/2" drill with the "Socket Jenie" to lift their top.

The lift motor that you buy from the dealers does exactly the same thing as the drill motor. For them to say that the drill motor causes problems would also say that the dealer's lift motor causes problems. The fact is, I have never seen one post on here that a drill motor has caused problems with the mechanism. I have seen a few posts about those expensive lift motors failing.

The key to using any motor to lift the top is to mark one of your corner posts for the last 5 turns with a small line and the # of turns left:
---5
---4
---3
---2
---1

Then have someone tell you when to slow and stop. We always stopped at 2 and hand cranked the last couple turns. I would recommend that with the dealer's power-lift as well.

[james2000]

Tell me more about the 1/2 inch drill. I dry camp mostly ..can it be used with 12 volts? I have a 1/2 inch drill but I guess it is not heavy enough. It is a 6amp drill and it will not lift the top.
Thanks for the help
james

[wavery]

Tell me more about the 1/2 inch drill. I dry camp mostly ..can it be used with 12 volts? I have a 1/2 inch drill but I guess it is not heavy enough. It is a 6amp drill and it will not lift the top.
Thanks for the help
james

There's a lot of info on here about "Cordless drill":
http://www.arveeclub.com/search.php?searchid=310558

I found this one to be a good value. It all depends on your budget.
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=65569&page=1&pp=10&highlight=craftsman+drill