Best idea for a hidden tv lift in a bed?

**columnmn** · 2nd November 2015, 03:46 PM

Hi guys.

Sorry for the wall of text.

I'm just trying to figure out something to build for tv lift.

I've built 90% of a bed, and I wanted to motorise a tv to lift in and out of the base of the bed. I was hoping to spitball with you guys, and see if you guys could come up with something simpler.

My first thought was to buy something:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GA65764-P...oAAOSw0JpV6ec~

But at $1500, that wasn't going to happen. And I can't find any others.

So I tried welding together a scissor lift on the weekend (box tubing, with a long threaded rod connected to a drill, and it pulls it shut), but they get unstable when they get that high. And I don't have enough machinery to make it stable enough.

My next thought was to try something different, like two sheets of metal, and have some pullies, so when a motor turns, it pulls a cable, and it pulls the second piece of metal up, like how bathroom doors pull open (though some sort of guide to stop it falling). But I'm thinking unless the motor is left on, it'll fall when the motor is turned off.

Third thought was to use a Linear Actuator (which is currently winning):
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12-24V-Li...eGICl_wOczsQOw

The biggest one in the last link should be big enough.

I wasn't sure if anybody here had made one, or had a better idea for one?

Thanks in advance!

**malb** · 2nd November 2015, 04:58 PM

I used to work in Heidelberg next to a place that made a similar unit. Can't think of their name at the mo, but Ken (Forum name neksmerj) was the companies designer and could drop the name for you, and maybe give a bit more info about whether they still do something similar. He is retired now, but lives a couple of Km from the factory.

**elanjacobs** · 2nd November 2015, 05:00 PM

Hafele sell them for MUCH less than $1500 (you'll have to call for an exact price, but I know it's less), pages 9.98 and 9.99 of the Complete Hafele catalogue.

**Gestalt** · 3rd November 2015, 06:54 AM

If you're good with fabricating, I think I'd be combining the linear actuator with a pair of linear rails and bearings. Something like these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EGH15CA-520m...4AAOSw4SlV8ok~

**columnmn** · 3rd November 2015, 09:00 AM

Sounds like a pretty good idea Gestalt. Should be pretty stable that way.

I sent an email to Ken, and he sent me back the link to the company:
http://www.ultraliftaustralia.com.au/

Beautiful looking stuff there, but horribly out of my price range.

I found the ones on Hafele, and they start around the $1000 mark, which is still too expensive

I'd have thought a chinese company could knock these out quite cheap.

**Gestalt** · 3rd November 2015, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by columnmn

I'd have thought a chinese company could knock these out quite cheap.

There are plenty available from AliExpress. Could be a cheap alternative.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/400mm...rchweb201560_9
I'd be a little skeptical on their ratings though. 2000N seems a lot with 6000N maximun for this unit.
Here's one on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatical-...8AAOSwu4BV3v3b
This load rating of 220 pounds is a bit more realistic. This one's 110 volt though

**columnmn** · 3rd November 2015, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Gestalt

There are plenty available from AliExpress. Could be a cheap alternative.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/400mm...rchweb201560_9
I'd be a little skeptical on their ratings though. 2000N seems a lot with 6000N maximun for this unit.
Here's one on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatical-...8AAOSwu4BV3v3b
This load rating of 220 pounds is a bit more realistic. This one's 110 volt though

I wish the Australia Dollar was better at the moment

$280USD, becomes $400USD.

I just bought the actuator I linked.

I'll report back with how I go!

**neksmerj** · 11th November 2015, 10:09 PM

columnmn,

Curious to know how you are getting on with your tv lift?

Ken (ex Ultralift Australia)

**ian** · 11th November 2015, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by columnmn

Sounds like a pretty good idea Gestalt. Should be pretty stable that way.

I sent an email to Ken, and he sent me back the link to the company:
http://www.ultraliftaustralia.com.au/

Beautiful looking stuff there, but horribly out of my price range.

I found the ones on Hafele, and they start around the $1000 mark, which is still too expensive

I'd have thought a chinese company could knock these out quite cheap.

Not sure if they are Chinese knock offs or near enough to the real deal, but Lee Valley want USD $409 for one that should be big enough for the end of a bed http://www.leevalley.com/US/Hardware...614,43620&ap=1
you would only need to source a 24V DC power supply

**columnmn** · 11th November 2015, 10:49 PM

I'll post some pictures when it's a little prettier, but I've got the linear actuator, and I welded up a rail to guide it up and down.

Then the actuator is in the middle pushing up the TV holding stand.

At the moment I'm playing with a microcontroller so I can press a button, the TV turns on, relay flicks on for x amount of time, and stops at the top, .

Then it's another button that turns off the TV, and lowers it automatically.

I'll post some pictures soon.

**columnmn** · 12th November 2015, 07:30 AM

And this is what it looks like.

It'll all be hidden in the bed head, and I need to add some stabilizer legs. But it should work!

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