Hello all--once again, thanks for the excellent advice. If I can get the other bored members (yes, I do know how to spell 'board'; it's a joke) to go along, I certainly will follow it. But I've got a long way to go to get up to speed, so I have a couple of followup questions still.
jkh wrote:
>>We are speaking of the control portion of the elevator modernization.<<
Apparently, our big problem lately has been with the A/C generator. It requires a rebuild and a specific part--an armature I believe--was very difficult to source. Apparently there was just one in the warehouse before Sandy hit, and even though our elevator had been out of service for more than a week at that time, the order didn't get placed until after the storm and that part had already been claimed. (The replacement part was due in yesterday; assuming it came in as scheduled, Otis will rebuild that generator today and tomrrow.)
* So that leads to my first followup question: Can we expect good service from a fully rebuilt generator? Or should we go ahead and replace it with a DC model?
* Next: jkh wrote >>we are speaking of the control portion of the elevator modernization<< So, if I understand, there is generic, non-proprietary control systems that can be plugged in to an Otis elevator, they're a little cheaper, they work great, there are companies around that will install them, and then you're not locked in to expensive, proprietary equipment and repairs by Otis or the other big-4.
Do I have that right?
* What about the generator? Will that be an Otis product, or are there generic versions of this as well?
You guys are great. Amazing resourc.e Thanks again!
Bored Member
BM, if you are having commutator problems it would mean your whole armature needs replacing. you can get a good result from this repair however probably very costly. the thing is you have to make the decision on whether you think other than the generator the lifts have been pretty reliable. its all about projecting when and if the lift failures become so prevelant that you have to constantly repair them and this means costs and down time. chicken or the egg scenario. if you modernise the lifts you know you will have the spares close by and for a reasonable long time but you cant know this regarding the old existing lifts.
the control we talk about means the existing controllers are completely removed and the lift is rewired completely and is not just plugged in to existing elevator controls. think of it as a new lift but most of the mechanical stuff is reused.to get a better understanding it might be an idea to speak to otis and get them to take you too a mod job.
