A Do It Yourself Funicular

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Jeff Johnson just informed me about these two videos about an inclined lift he built from scratch for his house at Butler on Watauga Lake, in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee (USA).

His dad and him have worked on it for about 3-4 months, and it took about 8 weekends for the “site work” and probably 2 weeks for the controls.
Bravo Jeff!

Un funiculaire à faire soi même

Jeff Johnson vient juste de m’informer de ces deux vidéos sur un ascenseur incliné qu’il vient de construire entièrement pour sa maison de Butler sur le lac Watauga, dans le parc National Cherokee, Tennessee (USA).

Son père et lui y ont travaillé pendant environ 3 à 4 mois et cela a pris presque 8 semaines pour le plan incliné lui même et 2 semaines pour l’électronique.
Bravo Jeff!

Photo Jeff Johnson

Home Built USA

Comments

67 responses to “A Do It Yourself Funicular”

June 9, 2024

Matthew

Hi, can you provide me with Jeffs email please. I would like to purchase his plans if possible. Thanks

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May 30, 2024

Joseph Castle

Can you provide me with the information about the hoist please?

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April 2, 2023

Rick Mattson

I would like to get Jeffs plans as well. What a great design. My email address is –

RMattson808@gmail.com

Thank in advance!

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January 22, 2023

David Greenwood

Can I have Jeffs email I would be interested in plans
thank you david

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November 14, 2022

Trish Newham

Hi,I am in the process of having a funicular installed at my home in Hobart,Tasmania.I have walked up and down a path of 100 steps, to get to the road,for 33 years and am future proofing!Pics to follow.

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August 7, 2021

Bernie

I would like to get the directions/ blue prints on Jeff Johnson’s Tram. My email is address gahodskins@yahoo.com

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August 1, 2021

Andre Fabierkiewicz

A fabulous feat. Mat I have Jeff’s contact to pick gis brain on a materials list.

Thank you!!! Love the Mag.

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July 2, 2021

Margaret

Hi! I would like Jeff’s email address too please. Talented guy. Thanks!

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June 8, 2021

Arthur Anderson

I am planning to build a funicular at my cabin here in Arkansas.
I need a little help with figuring out what parts and where to buy the motor system. Would Jeff mind me having his email ? I sure think he built a great Funicular. God Bless.

Art

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April 6, 2021

Al Caron

I would love to get Jeff Johnson’s email for the plans. I tried the link Jeff provided on makeprojects.com ,however, the link no longer exists. Thanks for posting this great idea.
Al

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September 3, 2020

Jason Mccawley

i would like jeffs email. i need a new drum and motor system for my older lift

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August 25, 2020

Lee Vander Baan

Hello,
I am constructing an inclined lift and would appreciate plans, thoughts, Jeff’s email, etc. to compare. The unit I am constructing has a height of 55 feet with an incline of about 20 degrees. My initial thought is to construct a self-propelled unit using cables around a drum and a permanent non-moveable static brake line. Thanks Lee

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May 3, 2020

Hernan Amenabar

Puedes vender partes para construir uno similar al tuyo Jeff ?

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March 8, 2013

Robert C Wright

I need a winch like the one you have above to pull a platform/car 120 meters up a 50 degree slope with 10 people. Where can I purchase one like the one you have dipcted above. What kind of breaking system do you have/ recommend?

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March 31, 2012

Rene

Hi need some help i have a similer system a very old system that was build by some one als.. the motor burn out and i took it apart to have it replace but left it to long that i cant reinstall it. am getting a new motor but i like the control system u have place in urs. I would like to know if u would be willing to help me get back my system up and running any help will do..

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February 29, 2012

Jeff Johnson

Hi, I’m the guy that built this thing. Many people have asked more details on it, so I posted my steps to makeprojects.com. The details can be seen here: http://makeprojects.com/Project/Home-Built-Funicular-Motorized-People-Mover-System-/917/1

The website liked it so much they put it one of their publications in the “Homebrew” section of Make magazine.

Hope this may answer some questions you may have.

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February 8, 2012

george

I am back with an update . I have purchased a golf cart motor (24v) and reversing motor control which will send current back to the batteries on the way back down. i bought the software to program the motor control. i haven’t gotten into the program yet but it will allow adjustments to speed, acceleration time, deceleration time, overload levels etc.
I purchased two 30:1 reduction gears to turn the drive wheels which are mounted horizontally and run on the inside of the track.

More to follow.

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