There is a drum brake that keeps the drum from spinning when there is no power to the motor. You use the rocker switch to power the wire rope up or down.

 

Those winches are supposed to have auto braking , to prevent freespooling.

You will need to verify this before purchasing one, some manufacturers omit it to allow a cheaper unit.

What is the weight of the A C unit? an assistant would be handy, or more than one.

Whatever you do, do not get under it to lower it, if it comes loose, you will be harmed.

ED

 

You won't have room from the ceiling to the AC unless you have super high ceilings. Hire a couple of high school kids to remove it for you.

 

Thank you for the replies. Will take all cautions but helpers are liability, imo. Was hoping that AC would be the last dumb thing I do.:smile:

 

Would a drywall lift with a plywood platform attached to slide the A/C onto work?

 

Post a picture of what your up against.
I can not picture ever using a hoist for this simple 1/2 hour job.
Two step ladders, two people, in and out.

 

Sorry no photo but it is above a door with a tricky location. The door is on a corner (wall on one side) leading out to a narrow (3') screened patio. 2 stories up. I also don't know anybody I'd be comfortable having accidents with.:smile:
Joe, I think I was planning myself into getting a new tool.:smile: Though I think this is the best option with nobody under the thing. I will be making the winch brace better than I described.
Thanks for all replies.

 

rent a painters scaffold for half a day - two people - live to tell about it.

 

This is one of those times you could probably pay someone to do it for what it would cost you for the winch. Not only that you will still need to get above the ac to mount the winch or a pulley.

 

Not cheap but you need something like this.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200651838_200651838

 

The lift cart type is the first thing I looked at but they tend to be heavy (have to go through the house, out to the bedroom patio), not very manuverable and for a single purpose. Same with the scaffold. Actually I had the words mixed up. The image is a hoist, not a winch. Found Champion hoist manual that clearly shows a brake. About the same price at homedepot. Wish I went to homedepot site also. Would have preferred champion that at least has an office and publishes a manual.:smile: Grainger also has a paper on the difference. Winch does not have a brake or has gears that may fail. Winch is not for verticle lifts. The amazon buyers seem to like it and use it to take thing up as well as down, so I assume it has some kind of brake.
I may return the amazon hoist if the manual is in chinese.:smile:

 

.............

 

A snatch block attached to a ceiling joist above the A/C and about 2 ft. out from the A/C will solve the distance problem between the A/C unit and the ceiling. By this the hoist can be mounted almost anywhere in the room. This will also allow the A/C unit to swing out to be lowered.

 

Maybe.?

 

I saw another video somebody using a ladder to hang a hoist from. I think I came up with an easy to assemble brace. 2x4 legs (12' now - what I had) with 1.5" holes cut near the top. 1.25" metal rod through the holes and this will be set up with the legs splayed out and tied togther with 1x at the bottom. I'll put a brace across somewhere near the top too. I think this will give me a good lateral side brace to hang a hoist. Cross brace will be whatever fits.


For those ratcheting strap virgins:smile:. I tried wrapping the strap around a box then tightening it. The first layers don't tighten up like a rope does. I ordered multiple set.

 

Carpad, don't you have any neighbors that can help you out.Small ac over door, pop the old one out, pop the new one in, drink a beer with the neighbor.

 

If you could lift it out of a normal window then John's scaffold suggestion is the best. That particular model he pictured may not be the best choice since it almost takes 2 people to raise and lower the platform.


2 quality step ladders and a couple of 2x boards with a2x4 center support to the floor would support my big butt and any AC I wrangle around.

 

The wall right beside the door makes many of the options a little more difficult. Possibly best option is one strong fellow. But I can understand you wanting to DIY.


Best I can come up with is to buy a bunch of 2x4s, etc to make a structure to help you "step" it down and the new one back up. The lower "platforms" would need to be removable, because you probably want to be standing where the second step is, when you are pulling the AC to the first step.

 

Can you post a picture of the air conditioner in it's place.?

 

Done today. Photos. I was mistaken about having lots of room above but just enough to swing the hoist little out of the way and swing the old ac down and away from the box. 2x4 legs are free standing and braced.

 

Good Job ! What is the old cliché'... " Necessity is the Mother of Invention".