Re: Need speed switch for DIY funicular/hillside elevator

[astutesolutions@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Les, thanks.  The fixed cable with a spring clamp is something I
thought of, the only problem is that the deadman switch wouldn't work
because part of the design is that there is a call button at the top
and bottom to recall the cart in the event it is at the opposite end.
It was also suggested that a mechanism such as this could release when
the cable tension was released, but due to the stiffness of the cable
and how the cable is already somewhat slack when the cart travels down,
it makes it hard to set up the trigger, with the exception of if both
of the "pull" cables broke.

I do think that the fixed cable is about the only way the cart could
have something to "grab" onto similar to the method you describe.
Grabbing the rails would be difficult because the sides are circular
(pipe) and there are angle iron pieces that extend beyond the plum part
of the pipe leaving less than half of the pipe to grab.

What would be nice is if there was a way to have a pulley mechanism on
the cart that spun a cog or something such as a pnuematic pump that the
faster it went it applies more force to say a brake caliper that would
grab the fixed cable, as suggested by Doug earlier.

Thanks!
Jeff