Suggestions for concealing ceiling winch hook?

[CZSteve]

Alright, looking for input from the DIYer's and / or interior designers...

I picked up a 12volt ATV winch along w/ a wireless remote controller from Harbor Freight - Thinking of installing in the attic to be powered by a 12v deep cycle battery on a float charger; would be perfect for the swing and other play.

Out master BR has a nine foot tray ceiling; popcorn texture & decorative molding along the perimeter.
We obviously do not want to advertise...

- Thinking I'd mount the winch about a foot above the ceiling in the attic (well supported by the joist that will also be strengthened by angle iron).
- Have 'something' that is the camouflage part of the system that will be visible and pulled up against the underside of the ceiling.
- I'll use a light duty spring to attach the 'something' to the winch hook; this will allow it to be pulled up taught against the ceiling and also prevent too much pull against the drywall - just use the remote to lower and have access to the cable & hook.

Having trouble coming up with the 'something' that won't look too strange and out of place.
Plan on placing this in a corner area near a door to the back porch; reasoning is it will always be clear of furniture should we re-arrange.
- So far I've come up with: smoke detector, faux interior dome style security camera, or a small decorative medallion.
Problems (I do tend to over-analyze...)
- Smoke detector: already have a hard wired just outside the MB door - look strange to have another nearby?
- Interior dome style camera: If this is to look legit this is not the place in the room I would place it.
- Medallions: Thinking I could place a small medallion in each corner thus making the functional part of the plan. Anyone ever seen medallions in the corners of ceiling (placed a few feet away for the corner) - kinda hoping this is something that has been done from a design point thus not looking bizarre.

My wife has been a lot more adventurous lately but not quite into an open dungeon design...

Thoughts?
BTW - I have pilfered this idea from another persons web post; can't remember what they did for the concealment thing - Anyone have a link to this?

 

[Netzach]

Just do a detector, who's going to scrutinize it? They'll think "smoke and co2" if they even notice.

Most people are completely absorbed in their own lives, keep this in mind.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Maybe try an indoor (fake?) plant? Light-weight, easy to take down when it's playtime, can hide a multitude of "sins."

 

[Netzach]

A ceiling fixture?

 

[IrisAlthea]

Who needs to be that much in your master bedroom?

Can you blame the previous owner, saying they had a light fixture, baby swing, plant or whatever?

 

[TxBookGirl]

.....

 

[njlauren]

How big a hook are you planning to use? A simple method might be to get one of those medallions you can buy (painted plastic) you can use at the base of a ceiling light fixture and mount a large "plant hook" in the medallion. You could cut a 6" circular opening in the ceiling, and use an 8" medallion with the hook on it (heck, hang some decorative chain on the hook, too), and have the winch "pull" the medallion flush with the ceiling (or use the spring load thing). If anyone asks, say it masks an area on the ceiling that got damaged when a heavy plant pulled the hook down from the ceiling or something. When you want to play, lower the winch cable and the medallion will come down, remove that and the hook is right there. Prob dont even need the spring loaded thing.....To make it more appealing, hang a plant on it for when you aren/t using the hook

 

[pimpslap]

I vote for the smoke detector. My house has one in every room but the bathroom and kitchen. I doubt anyone will find it odd. I also like the idea of just putting a plant hook and blaming it on the previous owners.

Please let us know what you decide on going with. I'm curious.

It takes very little to hide things in the open. No-one will even notice.

Although I would run a pully above the opening and put the winch off to the side a bit. Spread the load around a little.

 

[bambikiller]

I also vote for the smoke edetector.
Where I'm from they are required in every bed room.

Matter a fact you sould install a battery operated one in every bed room that way you're not a pervert just very safty concouse.

 

[CZSteve]

Matter a fact you sould install a battery operated one in every bed room that way you'renot a pervertjustvery safty concouse.

Safety first...

 

[satindesire]

If it's in your bedroom, and they see it, and ask, tell them that it's none of their damn business and why are they in your bedroom in the first place?

 

[rosco rathbone]

ATV winch? lol

Does your wife weigh 3000 lbs??

It's actually a pretty cool idea if you love rigging overkill.

Maybe you could pick up some 3/8ths chokers and some of these...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Screw-Pin-L...gh-Quality-Anchor-Rigging-Crane-/270890656511

 

[Noor]

regular chair swing.

 

[Netzach]

ATV winch? lol

Does your wife weigh 3000 lbs??

It's actually a pretty cool idea if you love rigging overkill.

Maybe you could pick up some 3/8ths chokers and some of these...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Screw-Pin-L...gh-Quality-Anchor-Rigging-Crane-/270890656511

I'm a huge fan of rigging overkill, personally. I worked a space that had this, and the fearlessness in the hardware was niiice.

Dunno about a screw pin LOL but I'm known for using double carabiners for no real reason.

 

[pepperbox]

I also like the idea of just putting a plant hook and blaming it on the previous owners.

Our master bedroom has an odd plant hook in the corner from the previous owners. I have never hung a plant on that hook. I am beginning to think I should take a closer look at the attic.

 

[CZSteve]

Been busy with life but finally got around to installing our new toy...

Ended up using a cheap $15 smoke detector.
- Installed a round junction box in the ceiling with the top portion cut off to provide an opening into the attic.
- Mounted the smoke detector trim ring to the box; detector rotates on & off.
- Mounted 12volt winch to a very strong piece of 2x6 oak.
- Mounted 2x6 to ceiling joist w/ 5/8" x 3-1/2" lag screws; also bolted eye bolts to the 2x6 & roof rafter above and then tensioned a chain with a heavy duty turn buckle to provide an opposing force for an extra measure.
- Have a 12volt battery motorcycle for power.

Playtime!!!
Make sure kiddo's are asleep, remove detector from trim ring, lower winch via remote, and...
It's just a little loud but our master is on the other side of the house from the other BR's; not noticeable from the opposite side of the house.

Very sturdy and a bit overkill. Used with a swing on the first night, absolutely no creaking; did some bondage and forced O's the night after...

 

[bigwarwood]

Been busy with life but finally got around to installing our new toy...

Ended up using a cheap $15 smoke detector.
- Installed a round junction box in the ceiling with the top portion cut off to provide an opening into the attic.
- Mounted the smoke detector trim ring to the box; detector rotates on & off.
- Mounted 12volt winch to a very strong piece of 2x6 oak.
- Mounted 2x6 to ceiling joist w/ 5/8" x 3-1/2" lag screws; also bolted eye bolts to the 2x6 & roof rafter above and then tensioned a chain with a heavy duty turn buckle to provide an opposing force for an extra measure.
- Have a 12volt battery motorcycle for power.

Playtime!!!
Make sure kiddo's are asleep, remove detector from trim ring, lower winch via remote, and...
It's just a little loud but our master is on the other side of the house from the other BR's; not noticeable from the opposite side of the house.

Very sturdy and a bit overkill. Used with a swing on the first night, absolutely no creaking; did some bondage and forced O's the night after...

Wow, I love it. Very inconspicuous. Never fails to amaze me what ingenuity arises when it concerns love. Awesome work!

 

[Kim_Burly]

WOW, how cool is that? Your wife is one lucky woman. Now, get that bitch up there and give her the best session of her life .

 

[DVS]

Nice work and nice concealment. And that chain goes up to the rafters of the roof? Nice job. If that's a wet cell battery up in the attic, don't let those contacts both touch anything metal. I'm assuming that heat vent is well covered with insulation?

And for people seeing that small device you put over the hole? If it were me looking up at the ceiling, all I'd see was that nice vaulted ceiling and cool crown molding.

 

[CZSteve]

And that chain goes up to the rafters of the roof? Nice job. If that's a wet cell battery up in the attic, don't let those contacts both touch anything metal. I'm assuming that heat vent is well covered with insulation?

DVS - yes, the chain is firmly attached to a solid roof beam to provide added resistance in addition to the ceiling joist the winch is on top of.

Battery is a $40 wet cell and even though hard to tell the metal contacts are safe from touching any metal. Obviously being a wet cell there is a vent on the battery but please elaborate more on what you mean by "heat vent is well covered with insulation".

Might step up to an AGM or Gel battery if wise for safety in a hot attic environment.
I haven't looked into; but what about a 120 volt to 12 volt transformer? I do have an outlet available in the attic within six feet of the winch.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[DVS]

DVS - yes, the chain is firmly attached to a solid roof beam to provide added resistance in addition to the ceiling joist the winch is on top of.

Battery is a $40 wet cell and even though hard to tell the metal contacts are safe from touching any metal. Obviously being a wet cell there is a vent on the battery but please elaborate more on what you mean by "heat vent is well covered with insulation".

Might step up to an AGM or Gel battery if wise for safety in a hot attic environment.
I haven't looked into; but what about a 120 volt to 12 volt transformer? I do have an outlet available in the attic within six feet of the winch.

Thanks,
Steve

Oh, I'm not really saying anything against a wet cell, as long as it's well sealed. A leak would make a nasty stain on the ceiling. And it will probably take quite a while for it to run down and need replaced or recharged. I think an AC to DC transformer would be better, as long as you can find one that could put out the necessary amps. You have to also guess this isn't going to be continually running...just short runs up or down. Is that a 2000 lb. load limit? As long as the thing gets correct juice, it isn't going to be easily overloaded.

Oh, on the heat vent...I was just playing devil's advocate there. Assuming the vent is aluminum and if there were ever a chance it could get knocked up against the battery's terminals. A wet cell wouldn't throw any breaker. It would just continue to get hot until something caught fire. At my house, the insulation only covers the top of the vents, not completely wrapped, like it looks like that one in the picture is. The insulation would provide a buffer between the aluminum and those terminals. Even better would be to cover the terminals with something, just in case the unlikely happens.

I say it's unlikely any of this would happen, but sometimes you have to think of the unlikely happening, when it's up in the attic where you can't see it. It all looks very secure and thought out, as well as nicely fabricated. I'm just a worrier. I always think of the "what if" scenarios. Sorry if I seem to be nit-picking your work. It really does look well done.

 

[CZSteve]

DVS, no worries - I'm the same way and appreciate the 'whaf if' concerns.
Sorry, wasn't thinking HVAC when you mentioned 'heat vent' - we only use heat about three days a year here in Texas...

 

[DVS]

DVS, no worries - I'm the same way and appreciate the 'whaf if' concerns.
Sorry, wasn't thinking HVAC when you mentioned 'heat vent' - we only use heat about three days a year here in Texas...

Texas? That explains a lot. I hear y'all do things bigger in Texas. This contraption and the 2000 lb. load limit proves it.