Home Forums General Discussion Technical Questions AT400 Replacement Options and Ballpark Cost

I'm interested in comparing high level, ballpark costs for options to replace an AT400 glide on a MRL Otis Gen2 elevator. I understand that there is a GAL AT400 conversion kit but want to know if there are any other options and the relative costs. The Otis Glide A is about $18k, but only if we buy 5 of them, which we do not currently need yet. Any advice on options and ballpark costs would be appreciated.

If you have an Otis Gen2 mrl with an at400 door operator on it and you need to replace it, the Otis glide is probably the best option. Whatever the company quoted you for the glide will probably be about the same for a gal operator. The price difference between the gal and the glide aren't really that far apart, the biggest expense for the job is the labor. The glide is designed to replace the at400 and takes very little modifications to make it work. Also if you have an ARU or emergency return unit on that elevator the board can be upgraded to continue to work with the glide. It may work with a gal but I'm not sure.

100% go with glide!

Seamless install and probably one of the best operators out there in my opinion.

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree the Glide A is the best option, but since we are being pushed to buy 5 of them for a total of $90k, when we only need 1, it does not make economic sense. That's why if we were looking to get a single GAL AT400 conversion kit at a reasonable price; or any other option that would work. Someone mentioned there is a Monarch option as well - can anyone confirm?

I hope you meant $9k. Lol

Unfortunately, Otis wants 90k and we must buy 5 of the Glide A door operators. If we only buy 1 (which is all we need), the cost is 30K for 1 Glide A (seems excessive even buying in bulk). That's why we want to know what other option is possible, even going with the GAL AT400 conversion kit.

Is your service company Otis, or do you have someone else? If they're trying to get you to do all 5, it doesn't sound like it'll matter what product they're going to use they're going to mark it up the same. Either way you'll have to upgrade those at400 sooner or later because they stopped producing parts for them. Like right now if you lose a motor/gearbox on a right hand operator you can't get a replacement from Unitec. Also depending on what part of the country you're in will determine the price of things but our "brake even" price for an at400 to glide upgrade is roughly 12-14k. That's not including Mark up or profit.

The service contract with Otis has expired and we have not renewed it. We plan on doing full modernization of all elevators in the next 3 - 5 years so wanted to just replace the 1 AT400 door operator that is a problem now with a non-OEM option and tackle the other 4 elevators during the modernization, which may or may not be with Otis. Buying 5 Glide A door operators now will further link us to Otis for the modernization and their service has been subpar and they charge premium prices, so want to explore non-proprietary options. Thanks !

Dont worry about being linked to Otis cuz of a glide door operator. Specify it has to be a glide with discreet signals and pretty much every mod controller you chose will be able to use it. I don't work for Otis or Unitec and I don't get anything out of convincing people to use a glide door operator. I just think they perform well on Otis cars and they're fast and easier to install then the rest of the door operators made to go on Otis cars

Quick update - We plan to acquire a GAL AT400 conversion kit (about $5k) and only need to buy 1, which is all we need. The question is since we no longer have an elevator service contract, what would the installation cost (ballpark number). Even a range would be helpful - located in Asbury Park so any recommendations of local elevator providers would be great as well.

Does it have an ERU battery lowering unit?

Hi indirtwetrust - I don't think it has an ERU battery lowering unit but am not sure. If it is a major cost difference, I'll see what I can find out. The GAL AT400 conversion kit (plus installation) still has to be far cheaper than spending $30k to Otis for a single Glide A. Thanks !

The Otis glide kit cost $4700 for the last one I bought

That was with door lock refresher kit and transformer for the op

Thanks to all for the great feedback from all on this site. I have 2 remaining questions:

1) What is the cost range to install a GAL AT400 conversion kit?
2) Can someone help me understand the wide cost range for an Otis Glide A? At the high end, Otis wants $18,000, but only if we bought 5 units, otherwise, they would be $30k each. At the low end, someone bought one for $4,700.

Thanks to all for the great feedback from all on this site. I have 2 remaining questions:

1) What is the cost range to install a GAL AT400 conversion kit?
2) Can someone help me understand the wide cost range for an Otis Glide A?
- At the high end, Otis wants $18,000 EACH, but only if we bought 5 units for a TOTAL of $90k. Otherwise, they would be $30k each.
- At the low end, someone bought a single Glide A for $4,700.

I highly doubt that the GAL unit will work on multidrop. Not saying a discrete operator can't be made to work but I suspect it will be out of the wheel house of most non-Otis providers. What is wrong with the AT400? As of writing this the multidrop controllers and LH motors are still available while supplies last.

Put a Glide A on, it will be a nightmare otherwise IMO.

Hi Tayto - Thanks for the feedback! Agreed, the Glide A is the best option, the excessive cost difference is the concern.

We only need 1 door operator, yet Otis insists on selling us 5 door operators (Glide A) for a total of $90k (or $30k if we just buy 1). The GAL AT400 conversion kit is about $5k, plus installation. Do you think the cost difference for the Glide A, which is staggering, is worth it over any other option?

We were also told by Otis that the AT400 and any required parts are not available anywhere anymore; we have no idea if that is true or not.

Are the prices US or Canadian? 20-25k Canadian is about the norm where I am. You aren't going to beat an Otis linear operator and IMO is worth the extra money. It is ashame about the AT400, but the manufacturers of the motor/gearboxes stopped making them and the controllers were made by Seimens which haven't been made since before COVID. There are some parts available, it's been mentioned twice in this thread. The GAL "replacement” does not look like a drop-in affair and will require a interface from Otis to go from discrete to multidrop. GAL might be cheaper to buy but is more labour intensive and unnecessary.

How old are these units? Seems crazy to be modding already. Not sure how you're going to get away from belts without a MAJOR expense. Just because non-propriety is cheaper doesn't mean it's better or going to last longer. Most of my problem jobs are non-propriety equipment.

That's because idiots keep installing SmartRise and Harmonic door operators (outdated). More moving parts and shoddy PCBs. Quality wise MCE is best for generic installs/mods.