Just a quick question/opinion. We have a Janus "Panacomb" infrared edge on our existing elevator. According to the elevator company it needs to be replaced. We have a full service maintenance contract which should cover replacing this replacement. However our elevator company claims that this edge is obsolete and wants to charge us to replace the entire unit. Does anyone have any suggestion or opinions on this?

Thanks for your help

Do you have a picture of the power unit?

I woundering if it's a Janus Panachrome?

Do you mean panachrome?

jkh beat me to it

I'm guessing 1980's Panacombi

they are probably right, they can't get that "exact" edge. however there are many edges on the market that will do the same job. If they really wanted to keep you as a customer, and make you happy with there service, then they would spend the relatively small amount of money and have the service guy install it and be done with it. that is what our company would do. since they have the obsolescence clause in your contract, they will probably stick to there guns. just be aware, that all the circuitry for the unit is already there, and swapping the existing edge for a newer edge is not a big job. pay attention to the proposal, it should not be an exorbitant amount of money to install. usually if you replace a mechanical edge with a infrared edge, then you can expect to pay a full day to install, and wire in the correct nudging, and fire service circuit upgrades, this can run 2000-3000 dollars, or more, depending on the company. However just replacing a infrared edge with another infrared edge should take 2-3 hours max. good detector edge 300 dollars, couple hours to install at 270 per hour, you should be paying around 900 maybe a little less if you get a little cheaper edge and the hourly rate a little lower. good luck, if your in the los angeles area, pm me and i can get you with a reputable company that won't nickel and dime you to death.

I apologize you are all correct it is a Janus Panacombi

Bills,
Vator has given you good advice. Clauses such as "obsolescence" are there to protect the Elevator Contractors best interest. But in a case such as yours we would have ask the customer to pay for new edge and covered the removal and installation.

I feel it's better for customer relationships...

If it is a Panachrome it would appear it can still be purchased: http://www.januselevator.com/products/light-curtains/panachrome/

I'm not too familiar with the Janus pana stuff though, as my company typically uses CEDES.

Would it change any opinions or suggestions that the elevator companies proposal is $3,750.00?

$3,750 for a door edge? Run as fast as you can.

Are they trying to sell you the one that lights up red and green? That unit is quite a bit more expensive, but that price is ridiculous.

like i said before, if they had to make appropriate changes for nudging and fire service etc, then this would be a close price, however changing a edge for an edge, this is way to much. even if they sent a team to do the job, which is 2 men, probably around 500 an hour, and the edge, probably around 400 with there 30% markup, that should only take 2 hours on the job, give them an hour drive time, now you are up to 3 hours x 500 , 1500 plus the edge 400, = 1900. personally i think that is excessive, as a single man can usually replace the edge,
just my 2 cents what it is worth, but 3750 for an edge. ouch.

Could be the new 3D type. Is that code in the US yet?

I've seen our company sell tons of edges for more than the above mentioned price.

This would also depend on whether or not your safety edge was damaged by some other means like misuse or vandalism. These items do get damaged regularly during moves. However, if there is no evidence of this then they should replace it at no charge because your safety edge is still available. Even if it were not available, if your customer is that upset, a safety edge is relatively cheap and quick to install.

Obsolescence clauses aren't new but can be manipulated by companies. The simple rule of thumb should be if they are still available, then they should be replaced. I would also say if they have only 'just' finished their supply, then some consideration should be for that too.

$3750 is not to far out of line,now that most JHAs are requiring inspections when replacing entire detector systems. Unless it is the exact same unit. This requires more labor time to have the unit inspected.

OOOOoooo
Good point jj. Indeed locally here in California, the change out if not like for like- exactamundo, there is now (and maybe be has been, just never enforced) an inspection fee and related permits. More time...more labor...mo money mo money mo money.

Detector edges in Washington, even like for like, fall into safety devices. They require alteration permit, inspection before turn over, or written allowance for turnover pre inspection.