Power an Electric Hoist on a Trolley

Upgrading to an electric hoist after years of using a chain hoist. The change was simple but getting power to the hoist, which is on a 20-foot trolley, was another problem. I did not want the power cord dangling or to have to get the power cord out for every use. Using a retractable power cord system solved the problem. The electric hoist can still be easily removed for portable operations.

• Portable Electric Hoist Winch 110V 1500W 1100 lbs Wire & Wireless Remote Control (Amazon or eBay)
• TerraBloom Retractable Extension Cord Reel - 14/3 Cord Reel 25 FT - Wall Mounted (Amazon) 
• 1 Ton Push Beam Trolley (Harbor Freight)
• 3D-printed cord support with 2x 1/8 x 2" self taping screws.
• 1/4-20 Tap, 7/32" drill bit, and 1/4-20 1", 2" washer Bolt for securing the cord support to the trolley
• 4x Zip ties for securing the cord to the support

Ensuring the appropriate weight and power requirements.

Attach the Retractable Extension Cord Reel mounting bracket to a wall so the retractable cord outlet is above the trolley cord support (step 2). Attach the Retractable Extension Cord Reel to support the proper orientation for your installation.

Print the cord support using the attached TrolleyCoordSupport.stl file. I used PETG Carbon Fiber with a 20% infill. The print will fit on a 250x250mm print bed but may involve some rotating. I rotated the stl file z-axis 53 degrees for a fit.

Install the ZIP ties with the capture end close to the cord support hole.

Drill and tap a 1/4"-20 hole in the trolley face in the center of the 10mm hole in the cord support.

The cord support should fit snugly around the washers extruding out the side of the trolley using the 2" self-taping screws and the capture surround.

Install the 1/4-20 bolt and washer and snug the cord support to the trolley face flattening the zip ties.

Zip tie the extension cord to the cord support allowing the plug to fall slightly below the large trolley nut.

Position the trolley near the Retractable Extension Cord Reel

Lock the cord with a small amount of slack and mark the cord for the stop reposition.

Pull and lock the cord at a convenient length.

Reposition the cord stop to the mark made above by loosening and tightening the 2 Phillips screws.

The Portable Electric Hoist has an on/off switch. I added a 15 amp wall outlet switch to switch off the power at the outlet.

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/mxom0mm1N3c

There is a control cord included with the hoist but I found the wireless remote control adequate. I used velcro to the attach the remote to the hoist body.

There you have it, See photos of the extended cord trolley, centered trolley, trolley near the cord winder.