15
years ago we modernized 3 buildings in a 5 building complex with new
controllers, door operators, power units and cylinders. We went to the 4th building and
quickly got shoo’d away because they had a great OEM service provider. We
always wondered how the other 2 buildings where doing in the complex. Well… We finally got the call about 6 months
ago to come look at one of other building’s equipment.
[Elevator machine room - Before]
[Elevator machine room - After]
Existing elevator &
project scope
– The existing elevator was a Dover installed in 1964, this building definitely
got their money’s worth from the system.
The building had started to have issues with the overall reliability and
functionability of the elevator system and was ready for a change.
New
equipment providers
Controller – Smartrise Engineering
Power
units – Existing MEI w/Maxton UC4 valve
Door
operator – GAL MOVFR
Fixtures
– Innovation Industries
Hydraulic elevator
controller
– The 1964 Dover elevator controller was in fair condition for being 57 years
old but had some serious critical issues occurring from time to time.
[Dover Elevator controller - Before]
[Smartrise Elevator Controller - After]
Door operators – The elevator had a
GAL MOVFR I with all the old GAL car and hatch equipment on it prior to the
modernization and replaced with a GAL MOVFR II.
[GAL Door operator - Before]
[GAL Door operator - After]
[Car top & GAL Door operator - Before]

Elevator fixtures – This pit got lip
stick, the hall stations where replaced with ADA compliant hall stations 10+
years ago. The car station was replaced
with a Adams car station at the same height as the old Dover car station. We installed some great looking Innovation
Industry push buttons with all the code required bells and whistles.
Disconnects – There is WBO[Work by
others] that is required when we replace an elevator controller. This is typically electrician work but should
be guided by the elevator contractor. In
this event we flagged some aluminum wire and no ground. The electrician replaced the aluminum wire
and gave us a great earth ground!
ALUMINUM WIRE = BAD! REPLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Aluminum wire can cause reliability issues
and cause your components to burn out, unless it is properly maintained, which
in most cases no one maintains their aluminum wire properly.
Take away – This is a hydraulic
elevator control modernization that was long overdue, the building was having
serious headaches with the equipment reliability. The building had done some work over time but
the major components where original. The condominium board was having a lot of
feedback from the other unit owners, it was time. We had a great project team
in for the modernization who did a great job on this piece of history.
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If
you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to
contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or
630-766-7230 ext. 107.
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