Jump to content

ELECTRIC SIGN SUPPLIES
If You're Looking For Premium Electric Sign Industry Components From Trim Cap, LED's, Neon Supplies, Power Supplies, Pattern Paper.  Then Please Visit Our Online Store or Feel Free To Call Us For Inquiries or Placing an Order!!
Buy Now

SIGN INSTALLER MAP
Looking for a fellow Sign Syndicate Company Member For A Sign Install or Maintenance Call?
Click Here

For Sign Company's Who Work As Subcontractors
Before You Work For A National Sign & Service Company You Need To Look At The Reviews Of These Companies Before You Work For Them. Learn When To Expect Payment From Them and What It's Like To Work For Them, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. Learn and Share Your Experiences Yourself For Others

Click Here

Recommended Posts

  • Board Patron
Posted

I am buying an older Versalift truck - it's standard edition AT&T from 1990. 27ft. Ford F350 dually.

Anyway, the Versalift was designed to run off a generator, which is on the truck. I'd like to convert this to a battery bank so the generator doesn't have to constantly run.

My plan is to add perhaps 4 deep cycle batteries and some sort of charge controller/isolator so the trucks alternator charges these, (but it doesn't use them for starting). I may have to upgrade the alternator, but that doesn't seem like a big deal.

Anyone done something like this, or have any caveats? I just don't want to worry about keeping a generator running all the time when in use. Also quieter of course.

  • Board Patron
Posted

Can't you upgrade the alternator. Keep the truck running, and run the hydraulic pump off the truck motor?

  • Board Patron
Posted (edited)

Can't you upgrade the alternator. Keep the truck running, and run the hydraulic pump off the truck motor?

Yes could definitely do that. Was just looking for a way to keep from running the engine all the time when in use. The batteries seem to be a bit more reliable too and you're not waiting for an engine to run out of gas. Batteries run down but you get a a warning as the voltage begins to drop.

The new trucks used by Time Warner here seem to be battery-powered for the lift hydraulics. Nice and quiet!

Edited by megavolt512
Posted

I use to have a utility truck years ago, it had two big tractor batteries next to the generator. Once the batteries got weak I could either start the generator to regenerate the batteries and operate the lift or start the truck and use. But this was a truck from the 80's era, sure do miss that truck.

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. - Winston Churchill

  • !llumenati
Posted

Your truck is 25 years old. Why invest in The big batteries, parts needed, mechanics etc. It will cost you alot more then buying a new generator. Buy a Honda #1000 gas generator, $ 1,000 and an extra gas can. They run for 8 hrs on 1 gal and are so quiet you don't know they are on. Then you could take it with you when need to.

I have one Battery operated Bucket truck. I would not buy it again. It is no comparison to the PTO operated trucks which never fail

  • Board Patron
Posted

Your truck is 25 years old. Why invest in The big batteries, parts needed, mechanics etc. It will cost you alot more then buying a new generator. Buy a Honda #1000 gas generator, $ 1,000 and an extra gas can. They run for 8 hrs on 1 gal and are so quiet you don't know they are on. Then you could take it with you when need to.

That's actually the other option I was thinking about... right down to that model of generator!

  • Board Patron
Posted

Yes on the Honda 1000w gen. we use ours all the time you can hardly hear it run.

Installation & Maintenance Services

Brian Phillips | expresssignandneon@sbcglobal.net | P. 812-882-3278

Express Sign & Neon | 119 S. 15th Street - Vincennes - IN 47591

express%20neon%20sig.jpg

  • !llumenati
Posted

And people think we only put stickers on metal ! If was only that easy.

  • Haha 1
  • Board Patron
Posted

Paul you do other things than that? lol

  • Haha 1

Installation & Maintenance Services

Brian Phillips | expresssignandneon@sbcglobal.net | P. 812-882-3278

Express Sign & Neon | 119 S. 15th Street - Vincennes - IN 47591

express%20neon%20sig.jpg

Posted

I have a 30 ft versalift 1995 era, when my onan generator needed a re-build i couldnt find anybody to do it. the onan ran the hydraulic pump off the engine.

to replace the 5 hp onan was like $4500, so i bought a $3000, 22hp lincoln welder/ generator to replace it.

i took the plastic cover off the end of the crankshaft & there was a 4 bolt pattern on the end of the crank, exposed.

i had a machinist make a plate & a 100% true shaft & that couples w/the hydraulic pump.

the boom runs great at idle, although at high rpm (welding) the boom runs pretty fast.

one thing, the lincoln needs a counterclockwise hydraulic pump to do this. the onan was clockwise

it is very similar to a wilkie setup.

cost me about $750 & brought a lot more to the table.

i have even brought my 250 mig & spoolgun on the road w/me. couldnt do that with the onan thats for sure.

have an onan generator for sale cheap, needs rebuild.

erik @ spectrum signs

  • Board Patron
Posted

PTO is my choice and our diesel is a lot more expensive than the USA, batteries are for watches and some drills

 

63 foot Elliott v60

50 foot 8 ton crane/auger

Skid steer with forks and dirt bucket

 

Signworks Inc.
Toronto, Canada
647-999-3426

 

 

  • Board Patron
Posted (edited)

post-1174-0-75449600-1417043071.jpg

Erik, on closer inspection it looks like I have the same thing. I took the cage off and indeed the Onan generator drives the hydraulic pump. Basically I want to get rid of this Onan pump as it's really old and I want something more dependable. Maybe a small diesel or such that can run the pump or a setup like you did sounds ideal.

I have a 30 ft versalift 1995 era, when my onan generator needed a re-build i couldnt find anybody to do it. the onan ran the hydraulic pump off the engine.

to replace the 5 hp onan was like $4500, so i bought a $3000, 22hp lincoln welder/ generator to replace it.

i took the plastic cover off the end of the crankshaft & there was a 4 bolt pattern on the end of the crank, exposed.

i had a machinist make a plate & a 100% true shaft & that couples w/the hydraulic pump.

the boom runs great at idle, although at high rpm (welding) the boom runs pretty fast.

one thing, the lincoln needs a counterclockwise hydraulic pump to do this. the onan was clockwise

it is very similar to a wilkie setup.

cost me about $750 & brought a lot more to the table.

Edited by megavolt512
  • 3 years later...
Posted

I purchased a Propane Generator from Central Maine Diesel a few years ago.

20 HP Honda engine, Italian generator head.
Paid about $2300 plus shipping via Paradise Freight which was a few hundred.
I see the price is just a bit higher now...

Recently it blew a capacitor. Central Maine sent me 2 for the price of one even though it is out of warranty. $39 total for two.

I looked at generators on island but a similar Honda at Quality electric was close to $6000 and it wasn't even a 13750kw. More like 8 or 9000kw if I remember right.....

They have many generators at great prices but this is the one I settled for.
 
Quiet, no smell, propane lasts forever........

Posted
On 7/23/2018 at 4:53 AM, VancleVector said:

I purchased a Propane Generator from Central Maine Diesel a few years ago.

20 HP Honda engine, Italian generator head.
Paid about $2300 plus shipping via Paradise Freight which was a few hundred.
I see the price is just a bit higher now...

Recently it blew a capacitor. Central Maine sent me 2 for the price of one even though it is out of warranty. $39 total for two.

I looked at generators on island but a similar Honda at Quality electric was close to $6000 and it wasn't even a 13750kw. More like 8 or 9000kw if I remember right.....

They have many generators at great prices but this is the one I settled for.
 
Quiet, no smell, propane lasts forever........

DOES IT RUN THE HYDRAULICS?

  • Board Patron
Posted

Since I started this thread I thought I'd share my final solution.

 

I finally had it with the Onan generator/hydraulic pwr combo.  I spent more money keeping that Onan running than the whole truck.  I replaced the Onan with a Honda GX160 horizontal shaft engine.  They may hydraulic pump adapters that just bolt on to it.  Problem is, the GX160 likes to run around 3000rpm, the Onan 1800.  Movement was way too fast.  I replaced the pump with one half that flow rate, and it works beautifully.  The GX160 is quiet,  easy to start, easy to maintain.  I can run it for 3 hours and use half a gallon of fuel.  There's even an emergency stop switch on it that is easy to integrate with the Versalift's circuit that goes up to the bucket.

 

Yes, I lost the generator.  But honestly I rarely used it.  Most of my power tools are battery these days.  And I have a separate Honda generator I can use for those rare occasions.

 

I really regret not doing this sooner.  I wasted so much money on that old Onan.  Most of the many repairs cost me as much as the entire Honda engine.

 

  • 1 year later...
Posted

I’m gonna go with the Honda idea but where do I get the one and half pump to slow down flow and how much did it cost 

  • 2 years later...
Posted

Can someone tell me what type of hydraulic pump i need to use it on my versalift, I am going with the Honda 160 GX engine 

Posted

Can someone tell me what type of hydraulic pump i need to use it on my versalift, I am going with the Honda 160 GX engine 

  • 3 years later...
Posted

Is there anybody that I can call to help me out with this versalift boom truck I bought trying to get it running 

 

Posted

Anyone got a number I can call to help me out on this versalift 

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Sales & Service: (800) 825-1085 from the versalift company website

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I didn't take the job.   And before I did anything for a company like them, I'd have to set up an ach block.   Otherwise, per my banker, it's possible that they can do a reverse ACH.   My bankers has been after me to set that up, though there is a monthly fee.   sigh, there's a monthly fee to just about anything with banks.   Paul, keeping busy i hope?    Rocco
    • Take the Money 1st. ACH the money. Then do the job.  *** Credit Cards can be cancelled up to 18 months ***
    • Wow, you will have to root through "their" protections.
    • A national sign company that I've dealt with for at least twenty-five years wants us to sign their vendor packet again this year.   At first it was a few pages but grew over time.   Last year it was fifteen pages.   Now it's twenty-two pages., plus a three page NDA.   I will have someone look it over and give me their opinion but it's getting ridiculous.    Their paperwork pusher will say that its' all "standard things" but standard for who and in whose favor?   Even if they gave me a ton of work, and it's only been one or two jobs a year recently, I'd be hesitant.   if i didn't know someone that does contacts for a living, I'd have to pay an attorney to go over this packet.    This is a national that has a good rep but it's getting to the point that we all need an attorney on hand at all times to go over paperwork.    Rant over.
    • This is the late April 2026 Update   This month we added in: GE's TX GEN4 12v .9w 6500K LED Module     G2G's WOW II Red 12V .72W     Also Including the GWH IV Snap Shot of the Project which is also included in the April Evaluation PDF Sheet.   The most important thing to take notice i2 the FC / Watt (Foot Candles per Watt).    This is the LED Chip Quality and Efficiency, this is the amount of Light Per Power.  The bigger the number the more efficient that Light Source is.  You might see a Higher Wattage LED Module with a low FC/Watt value, that means it's not too efficient....could even be pushed and in some cases over driven running hot, which can result in shorter life.   I'm going to drop an example to put things in perspective. Let's take two 2LED Modules...the Brighton - II, and the EveryLite Rebel LED Module.   The Brighton II is .8 watts, the EveryLite Rebel is almost a 1 watt Module at .96w   The 362 Foot Candle average EveryLiteRebel is brighter than the B-II Module at 348.5 FC AVG.  However the B-II Module has a 108.91 Foot Candle Per Watt Average.    So if we were to boost the Module Power of the Brighton - II and make it say, a .84w module instead of a .8w module then we can project the Brighton II Module with Foot Candle per Watt of 108.91 to have a Foot Candle Average of 365.93.   The .84w Brighton - II Module would be brighter, under driven, and more efficient than the .96w EveryLite Rebel.   Now the Flip Side...   If we made the .96w EveryLite Module to a .8w Module apples to apples to the Brighton - II Module, we can project the Foot Candle of the .8watt EveryLite Module would be 301.66 instead of the 362 FC Average.  You can see the Handicap here   So Boosting the power of so-so chips will give you more light for the "Wow" factor, but in some case is over driving, there is more heat involved....and like all electronics...they hate and fail with heat.  This is why a lot of LED MFG's recently make a 2 LED almost 1 watt Module and sell for $40 a bag....   Just something to take note of.....          On another Note, I will be taking down the TBA Vendor as the light is too low, and the Principal / Sloan Prism Module as it is dated   April's 2026 GWH IV Sheet GreatWhiteHope IV 042826 WOA.pdf
×
  • Create New...