US Elevator Duplex Mod

Have a customer with 2 US Elevator cars, both hydraulic looking to do a mod to tank controller and wiring/some electrical. they have handicap tenants in the building so we are looking to mod the slave car first to leave the master car in service for handicap accessibility, working on the master once the first mod is completed and running. Their current company says it cant be done, im almost certain there is a way, even with cars this old (80s). Trying to get by the site to look but wanted to see if anyone had any experience with taking one out of service for a mod while leaving the other in normal operation.

Thanks for any help.

Tom

First off, you’d be smart to get your hands on the job prints (if still available) and copy them, or a comparable duplex set from that era.
Yes it can be done...it happens all the time. You say “master and slave” cars...this is a US MP1230 processor based controller?
There is a car 1 and car 2 designation if it’s a 1230 duplex, but either car can be a simplex even with fire service.
There is a bit more to converting the 1230 duplex to a simplex (good luck there), but job prints will help on the controller side.

If it’s a standard R10 relay based control, again, either car can be a simplex, and you’ll need correct prints for the job to separate or remove duplex interconnections.

Ya, not sure what the problem would be. I mean of course this could be screwed up, that happens all the time too, like hacking the interconnect. But if you familiarize yourself with the controller and prints you can carefully remove all of the interconnects and yank the other controller. I’m not sure how a legitimate elevator company could claim that couldn’t be done. You’re sure they weren’t asking to duplex the new with the old? That would be much more of a challenge but can be done too in most cases too.

Like the others suggested, separating the two shouldn't be a very big challenge. The 1230's are pretty basic. U.S. relay controllers from the same period should still be not-too-difficult to cut apart. My experience is with putting them together, not taking them apart. Don't expect to find comprehensive prints like we're used to in the 21st century. Back in the 80's, U.S. would send out a generic print, and it was up to the installer and adjuster to decide how to complete a non-standard installation.

I agree with all above it’s just what we do not a big deal. Unless there is more to the story. Like one car has rear opening or serves an extra floor. But even then it wouldn’t matter what the old controls were.