CARTURNER FAQs
What Cars Will Fit On A CARTURNER?
Almost all passenger vehicles with the exception of the Rolls Royce Phantom will fit on our Standard CARTURNER (Larger Extended Length Model
now available). Extended wheelbase trucks do not fit on the standard size but will fit on our extended length turntable.
Surface Mount Ground Clearance?
Any production Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Bugatti can drive straight on to a CARTURNER.
Is There A Remote Control?
Each turntable purchased comes with 2 programmable remote controls.
Competitor Costs and Time
Old technology turntable manufacturers often require up to 4 different contractors to
complete their in-ground car carousel. They require your driveway or garage torn up for
weeks. In addition to the extended time, construction permits and multiple sub-
contractors, the cost of construction and installation for our competitors is many times
higher than a CARTURNER. If you order a CARTURNER and schedule an installation date our
installer comes to assemble the turntable, plugs it in and tests it within hours. You will use
it before he leaves. Some turntable manufacturers publish their turntable price, but not the total installed
price with the needed foundation and/or electrical work. The question for them is
always, “What is YOUR TOTAL PRICE? Our total price, in your driveway, garage,
showroom, or auction floor is the published price plus shipping and any applicable tax (CA only).
No additions, no add-ons, no permits, and no hassle.
Basic Construction
The CARTURNER brand turntable is a Lazy Susan with two principal components the
“spider” and the “pan”. The spider is the underlayment which consists of three stainless
steel rings connected by six stainless steel spokes connecting to a Delrin center
hub/bearing. The clips that connect the spokes to the rings are also made of stainless
steel. The outer ring is approximately 1 foot wide and mounts the six motors, each one
of which is located approximately at the end of one of the spokes. The outer ring also
mounts the ramps, which cover up the motors and allow the easy transition onto the
pan. The pan is a high density polyurethane foam/stainless steel sandwich. It has ten,
pie shaped panels, which connect to each other by tongue and groove. They bolt to the
solid aluminum hub which fits over the Delrin center bearing/hub on the spider. The pan
is tapered to allow run off of water.
Wheel Sets
It has 70 individual wheel sets under the pan. Each one of these wheel sets lines up and runs on one of the three
rings of stainless steel. Each wheel sets consist of a pair of sealed stainless steel
bearings, a solid stainless steel axle, solid Delrin wheel in a glass reinforced nylon cup. We tested different wheels materials for 2
years. The solid Acetyl/Delran™ wheels that we use had less wear and less friction. Hard wheels have a very high point pressure. Narrow wheels means all
the load is concentrated in a very small area, which can crack or cause wearing of the concrete.
We use a wide wheel and 70 of them to spread the load.
Electrical and DC Motors
The motors are 50W 24V DC motors, with reduction gear heads. Turning time is
approximately 22 seconds for 180 degrees. There are six motors. Draw is
approximately 2 amps per motor. The motors direct drive onto the outside of the pan.
The polycarbonate motor suspension arms enclose the sprockets + chain. Tension is
provided by a polyurethane spring. The ramps completely enclose the motors. The
machine will run on 2 motors, but we put in 6 for redundancy. We have run these
machines on grass, powered by 2 car batteries for more than 12 continuous hours.
Electrical Convertor Specifications
The converter is a 500W 24 volts UL listed package. The wireless controller is UL
approved. All the connectors are Delco sealed connectors. Our UL-approved Meanwell converter accepts anything from 60-260 volts
and converts it to 24 volts DC. Because it is 24 volts DC, there are no safety concerns
and no permit requirements.
Suspension System
No concrete is completely smooth unless it is machined. There are small undulations.
Our polyurethane suspension pad suspension system makes sure the wheel is flat to
the concrete surface. The fact that these wide, coated wheels run on the smooth,
stainless spider further spreads the load and reduces friction.
Interchangeability
Every single part of the machine is interchangeable. Each and every part can be
replaced in less than ½ hour. A motor is replaced in less than 5 minutes. Every metal
part, including all nuts and bolts, except the drive wheel is stainless steel. All metal
pieces are laser cut for precision.
Total Weight Capacity
We have not tested for total weight capacity. However, we have not been able to break
a CARTURNER. We have driven semi-trucks, loaded scrap haulers, and loaded steel
delivery trucks over a CARTURNER repeatedly with no ill effect.
Load Distribution
Our turntables distribute load very well. We have run several of our CarTurners on grass, and gravel.
We placed 5/8” MDF Base Material under the spider for outdoor applications and we use 1″ Marine Plywood under the spider for outdoor applications.
Dimensions and Weight
Total footprint: 15’ 4”; Turning surface: 13’ 4”; Height: 3” at edge; Shipping weight:
Approximately 2007 lbs.; Shipping dimensions: 84” x 40” x 64”
Surface Mount Turntable vs. In-Ground Turntable
Our patented design can be flush or surface mounted, whereas old technology
turntables can only be mounted in-ground because of their profile. Since our Carturner
brand turntable can be used either way, we have a preference for surface mount. As
you drive onto the turntable you can feel it. Many of our residential customers are senior
citizens. ALL of these people get on the machine properly 99.9% of the time after the
first 2 or 3 days. Surface mount means you can also move the machine slightly if
needed or remove it completely.
Why Stainless Steel?
If you live near the coast or in an area where they salt the roads, stainless steel is a
must. Even though it costs four times what regular steel costs we believe it is essential.
If a stone in the tire scratches a galvanized turntable, it will then start rusting.
Static vs. Dynamic Loads
We believe static load is not the most important criteria. The real issue is that 100% of
the inertia of the car must be transferred to the turntable. In other words, a 4000-5000
lb. car going from 10 mph to zero mph in just a few feet represents a dynamic load
much greater than the car’s static load after it has come to rest. Because Carturners
center of mass is less than 1” high and the load is spread across the platform, it
distributes this inertia better than any other turntable product.