Goal: to have a retractable microphone descend from the attic with limit switch using easy to get parts for future repair by anyone who takes over when I’m gone. I would like to keep this project under $100 because if at that price I could buy an electric hoist and where is the fun in that?

Plus: variable-speed / everything running on A/C power

Situation: attic in Texas can reach 150° degrees which is where the motorized spool is going. I got the spool with cable ready to go. It lowers and rises just fine.
I will be standing 60 feet away plus ceiling height of around 15' which is where I want to have the switch. I would like to add a limit switch so it turns off going up but still go down.

Problem: I was thinking of using a reversible drill but I can’t figure out how to wire in the limit switch. Any way I do it creates an open circuit and drill wont reverse. Also I think I need to replace the switch because I am assuming if I run 70' of cable to and from the drill the circuit board in the switch will burn out due to distance.

Alternate: I was thinking taking apart an rc car and taking advantage of the wireless motor but I don’t think the circuit board and motor can take the heat of the attic.

harborfreight 3-8-eighth-inch-variable-speed-reversible-drill part # 3670\

 

Do you need it to go auto-off when going down also? For going up, I think you could put a disc or ball on the cord and pull the cord thru a ring holding a limit switch. When the disc hits the switch, it goes off. You'd need something else going down.

[edit] Oh, sorry, I guess you were asking about the circuit.

[edit 2] Got an old shredder laying around? I just tore one apart that had a broken gearbox. It'd be perfect for this operation. You could use the reverse switch to go down. It only stays on while pressed. Going up, you'd just need a mechanism to allow the paper-sensing beam to open up, stopping the motor. The reverse (down, in your case) is still active even if the beam is complete.

 

thank you hope this hold up with the heat.