Ep. 07 - I built a smart crane that's controlled a smartphone - Tiny House Build Update

Watch until the very end to see the crane in action.

I am building a two-trailer tiny house solo. Very quickly things have become too big and too heavy to lift by myself. So, I diverted to build a crane. It had to be capable of lifting a approximately 150kg, reach to the top of center of my tiny house and I needed the ability to control it myself.

This is the crane I built. It is a counterweight crane and is designed to be connected to a vehicle (which provides the counterweight). It has a vertical reach of 7.5m and is remotely controlled via a web app I use on my phone. The brain of the crane is an esp32 micro controller that hosts a Wi-Fi access point, the web app, and communicates via a web socket connection.

The crane is centred around two winches purchased off eBay. Aside from what I have fabricated, and the code I wrote, all the parts are off the shelf. Now I can lift stuff I can get back to building my tiny house.


IMPORTANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I absolutely encourage critical collaboration. This crane has limitations and could be improved to make it safer. If you are going to leave a critical comment, please share your thoughts and explain your thinking so that others' can learn. Here are some things I acknowledge in sharing this video
This crane would not pass on any building site. Heck the fact that I am doing one-man lifts is already out. My lifting slings are probably the only compliant part.
It could have a stronger base/boom and outriggers. That said it has proven more stable than I expected.
I am a one-man show. I'll probably end up working under semi suspended loads. My mother would not approve.
The winches can lift more than I think this frame would safely handle.
I do not ask others to work around this crane with me. If others are helping, I will endeavour to keep them away from suspended loads.

Don't hate... educate!

Stay safe and go make cool stuff

Two Trailer Tiny House

Instagram:   / twohandsandatinyhouse  
Facebook:   / twohandsandatinyhouse  

#twotrailertinyhouse #tinyhouse #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhousebuild #tinyhousemovement #diy #diybuild #diytinyhouse #madewithtwohands #welding #crane #electronics #esp32