Excellence in Execution – Virginia Controls Hydraulic Elevator PLC

 

[How we found the controller]

Intro to building – We went to this building after the building owner called and said his OEM multinational firm was having a hard time with the repair.  After the initial visit, we were torn on if we should to get into it because parts were missing from the controller for “repair”.  We had two great super techs in our office who saw our review and said “hey we have that board” and “let’s call the guy who created the controller”.  We sent the building owner a repair quote and away we went.  The owner understood this elevator repair may not be a one shot and we are done.

History– Virginia Controls had this wonderful engineer named Chris Maida who did their PLC design and support.  Chris went on to start his own venture for a number of years called Maida Controllers. He eventually went back to Virginia Controls and now has retired but does offer technical support for some of the controllers that he helped create.  In Chicago we have quite a few VC and Maida PLC because VC and Chris did a lot of work for Automatic Elevator.  Automatic Elevator was a big player in the low-rise market.  Automatic Elevator ultimately went on to be absorbed by Otis Elevator.

What we did – We did a few recon missions to the building and finally got everything lined up and ordered.  First try we ran into issues and need to deeper dive assistance from the creator of the controller.  After a few starts and stops, all the parties helped one another get the elevator running.  Our Colley wizard worked with the controller creator and muscled through the issues. I love these stories!  Goliath gets stuck in the mud, David takes the ball and runs to the goal line.  No sling necessary.

[In the middle of our repair]

[At the end of our repair]

Take away –   This building owner should seriously consider modernizing the elevator equipment.  We got the elevator into a condition where they can use it and plan for a modernization.  When we save the day with these types of repairs, the next shut down/repair may not be as successful.  We had a great sales person, great internal support, great wizard tech, great support from the controller’s creator.  If just one these items had missteps the repair may not have as great of an outcome as it had. In this event if and when the controller’s creator isn’t available any more, this repair would be DOA.  What you can do as a building owner to prepare is to understand your company's capacity at repairing your elevator system as well as if parts of the elevator system are obsolete and/or supported by the OEM and/or other 3^rd parties.

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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