Making elevators great again – Traction Elevator - Chicago, IL

 

 [Before rewiring]

Intro to building – We went to this building in 2016 and we found 2 elevator controllers that are newer in very poor shape due to… Well look at it.  The wiring mess could have been from the installation, repairs over time, 4pm Friday fixes that where never gotten back to or a number of other reasons.  We talked to the building about new controllers and planning for the future back when we submitted our maintenance agreement to them. 

History – The cars for the most part worked ok.  On the front car we had to replace the motor drive.  But in the back of everyone’s head there was always concern with the condition of the elevator system.

What we did – One of our great Colley Wizards took it upon himself to go to the building and rewire the elevator controller to bring it to what should have been its original installed glory.  The building should still consider modernization of the elevator control system but now it is a lot easier to see what is occurring with the control system.  When you see a controller looking the way you did you don't really want to touch anything because you are afraid you may do something that would be very difficult resolve.

 [After rewire]

Take away –   Every territory has elevator’s that are like this.  Sometimes a building buys from the wrong company, the wrong technician is installing it, the wrong equipment was picked for the project, or rush job and a building is stuck with it.   It is our job to let the building know, here is what you have, here is what we would like to see you do, and let them make their own decisions.  This controller went from looking like a Zero and coming out a Hero, it took some time, but well worth it.   Its like the dopey mop headed 17 year old kid who finally cuts his hair and there is a good looking person underneath there. 

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Colley Elevator's 10th Annual QEI Education Training – Always Keep Learning

 

Each year for the last 10 years, Colley Elevator has been hosting inspectors from across the Chicago area as well as mechanics from Colley and other companies to attend QEI/Elevator code continuing education.  This year we had people from Colley Elevator, Elevator Inspection Services, Chicago Public Schools, Anderson Elevator, Suburban Elevator and Kone Elevator attend.  I got to sit in a room where a few of the guys had more years in the business than I am alive, these guys know something and have seen some things, we are lucky to have them.

This year we again had Joe Donnelly – PE conduct the training. Joe D has had a pretty incredible career starting out by working for Westinghouse Elevator as an apprentice, then field engineer, moving to Lerch Bates to start his consulting career and now at Donnelly & Associates doing elevator consulting and training.  He has had experience working on the State of Illinois Board as the technical advisor and currently is the Chair of the City of Chicago code committee and helped bring the City from a 2001 code to 2016.

The last few years in the Chicagoland/Illinois region has seen our Illinois code go from 2013 to 2019 and Chicago from 2001 to 2016 code.  Each year there are a few items in the code that are disrupters to how we do our inspections and our elevator work.

This year we reviewed – City – State code update, 2016 & 2019 A17.1 major code update, 2019 A17.1 Part 2 code update, 2019 A17.1 Part 3 code update, A17.1 Part 6 code update, A17.1 part 8.6 code update, FEO service review, A17.3 code review, NEC code update, A117.1 class, A17.2 routine inspection review, A17.2 periodic test review, City of Chicago 2018 code A17.1, City of Chicago 2018 code A17.3 

Take away – When I was 17 I knew everything, when I was 24 and had a few years in the business I thought I was on a path to quickly know everything.  At 43 I have discovered I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.   These two days a year are very long, my Tuesday started at 5:15am leaving my house to go to the southside of Chicago and ended at 10pm when I got home.  I learn so much from these two days, even if it is similar material, I get different things out of it each time I hear it. We always have to keep learning and keep growing. 

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Elevator Modernization Planning – Evanston, IL

We have quite a few long term customers with reliable elevator systems who are interested planning for modernization but don’t know when to do it.  The elevator is working fine right now, when will it stop working?  A few things to think about when your elevator passes the 20 year mark.

Is your elevator reliable now?  If your elevator is servicing the building safely and reliably you have time to plan.  If you have shut downs and reliability issues you need to understand why the elevator is having issues. 

What type of equipment do you have?  If you have an elevator controller that is common in your geographic territory and support and material is still available, you are in good shape.

What is your environment like?  A building with 16 units is much different than a building with 45 units.  A building that has a climate controlled machine room is much different than a building that has their machine room exposed to the elements with no climate control.  In Chicago that would mean HOT HOT in the summer COLD COLD in the winter.  Elevators do not like HOT HOT or COLD COLD.

Who is using your elevator?  We have buildings in care facilities or apartment buildings that the users could use a bit more care when using the elevator.  We have buildings that are financial institutions, libraries or condos where it is hardly used and, when it is, they respect the elevators. 

How many technicians in your geographic area know your elevator?  In our elevator industry we have a lot of people retiring and taking all of the years and knowledge with them.  The younger guys typically know a lot about the new equipment, the old guys know a lot about the equipment they cut their teeth on. 

[Some areas are heavy with Dover installations like this elevator controller]

Your questions are giving me a headache, what do I do?  Talk to your elevator company and get a game plan, talk about longevity, talk about serviceability, go through all the items listed and more so the decision makers understand a little bit about the process.  Get a plan, start saving, if you haven’t already.

We have done some work in the past, what does that mean for our elevator's equipment modernization needs?  Great news!   You might be able to retain a door operator, power unit or valve.  The elevator contractor should let you know about what can stay, what should be replaced and what is on the bubble. 

[This elevator has a newer door operator[15 years old] that should be replaced if the controller is replaced]

Don’t forget about work by others -  When replacing the elevator controller you typically will have a fire alarm contractor scope and electrician scope.  You will need to know about how much this is so you can put a dollar value for these items in your budget.

[New disconnects by electrician - among other items]

[Fire recall devices and heat detectors by fire company]

Elevator cylinder -  Talk to your contractor about your elevator cylinder so you understand what happens if it fails, how long it takes for procurement, how long the installation takes, and what happens if you have cylinder hole issues.

How much does elevator modernization cost? A typical elevator control modernization can cost $80,000.00 - $125,000.00.  Each elevator is different, each elevator can have a different upgrade strategy, each elevator should be discussed with your maintenance provider or a great company like Colley Elevator. 

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

2022 Elevator World Ellie winner – Best Contractor of the North – Colley Elevator

 

We would like to thank Elevator World to allow us to participate in the 2022 Ellie contest for best contract for the North.  

[The stage prior to the announcement]

We had some great competition from

Midwest Elevator

Minnesota Elevator[Runner up]

Fujitech

[Sean, Dennis & Adam brought the Ellie home for Team Colley]

This was a lot of fun to participate in and the excitement during the competition as well as leading up to the announcement was a great thing.  Congratulations to our great team at Colley.  Thank you to all that voted for us, we are honored once again to be named Best Contract of the North.  And congratulations to the other 2022 Ellie winners.

[Last year Craig Colley paying homage to Dustin Midwest Elevator's win]

[Dustin Midwest recreating the picture with Sean Colley]

[Super cool NAEC sign with our Ellie]

Again, thank you everyone for voting Colley this year!

You can watch the ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wShzu66g7ik

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Hydraulic elevator modernization – Oak Park, IL

 

This is a story about a building that was built in the late 1960’s.  We initially went to the building in 2008 to bid some State of Illinois Mandate work[someone else did the work] and began working with the building in 2014 for elevator maintenance.  This is a pretty vanilla condominium in a Chicago suburb called Oak Park.  The building is full of working class and seniors. As an elevator industry we sometimes forget for these buildings this is a huge decision for them, one of the largest expenditures they will make during their tenure on the board or even living in the building, not to mention how important the elevator is to some of the residents.  I was pretty excited about this modernization, nothing flashy, just great people who live in the building who will love their new elevator!

Existing elevator & project scope – We replaced all of the original electrical and mechanical equipment; controller, fixtures, power unit, door operator.  The building really needed the upgrade to be able to service their aging population that depends on their elevator to run 24/7 for their 1960s vintage ESCO Elevator

New equipment providers

Controllers – Smartrise

Door operators – GAL MOVFR

Fixtures – Innovation Industries

Power unit – Quality w/Maxton UC 4 valve

Elevator controllers – The existing elevator controller was an ESCO Elevator controller and was having reliability issues.  While all of the issues where resolvable they began taking longer and longer to resolve due to the older elevator controller[wire fatigue, relay issues, door circuit issues, etc].

 

[Old ESCO Elevator controller]

[New Smartrise Engineering hydraulic elevator controller]

Elevator door operators – We replaced the 55 year old GAL MOD door operator with a GAL MOVFR door operator

 

[Old car top with 55 year old GAL MOD door operator]

[Updated car top with GAL MOVFR door operator]

Elevator fixtures – We installed Innovation Industries hall and car fixtures to replace the original ESCO Elevator fixtures.

[Old ESCO Elevator fixtures]

[New Innovation Industries car station]

[Old ESCO Elevator 1st floor hall station]

[New Innovation Industry 1st floor hall station at ADA height with code required items incorporated]

Hydraulic power unit – We removed the ESCO Dry unit and installed a Quality Elevator submersible power unit with a Maxton UC4 hydraulic control valve.

[Old ESCO Elevator dry power unit]

[New machine room layout]

[New Quality Elevator hydraulic power unit with Maxton UC 4 valve]

Take away – This was a very important decision for the board to understand the elevator modernization process, what was staying, what was being replaced and to get to know the team that was going to be doing the work.  Now the building has some great new nonproprietary elevator controllers and a fully nonproprietary elevator system.

Team work– The sales person and the project team who finishes typically get the glory on a project.  In between the initial contract sale and the final acceptance are many other people who work on the project to make it successful.  From the truck driver to the engineer to the billing department to the assist when needed, 10 Colley Elevator employees where involved in the project and we had tremendous team work on it.  Thank you everyone without you we would not have had such a successful delivery!

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

NAEC Elevator convention & exposition - Louisville, KY

It is only about a week away, the NAEC elevator convention & exposition in Louisville, KY.  This is a great place to see new products, get some continuing education, meet new people see old friends and talk elevators.  Colley Elevator has been a participating member of the NAEC since the 1950s.

When & Where?  Kentucky International Convention Center – September 18^th-21^st, 2022

Here is a brief rundown of what is going on

Sunday

Golf tournament

Women in motion meeting

New member and first time attendee reception

Welcome reception

Monday

Welcome breakfast

General business session

Contractor/supplier sessions

6 education sessions

Tuesday

Convention opens

Education on A18.1, Emergency communication, Res lift door gaps, Future proofing telephony, Elevator I/O[local & serial], global industry survey

NexGen Lunch

Reception

EESF fundraiser

Wednesday

Awards breakfast[great awards presenter must see]

Convention is open

Elevator World Ellies announcement

Improving hydraulic elevator performance

Installing & testing safeties, governors & secondary braking

New technology and various elevator applications

Dregs party

 

For industry newbies to our experienced professional this is a great place to learn and network.  

For more information - https://www.naecconvention.com/ 

A big thanks to the NAEC for all of the hard work putting the show on, we appreciate it and you do not get enough thanks!

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Otis Elevator Black Belt Door Operator – Obsolete

 

We recently ran into an issue where we ordered parts for an Otis Black Belt door operator from the Otis Parts company and they sent replacement parts for a different Otis door operator and the parts are not compatible.  We do not run into these door operators having many problems so this was a good reminder for us to be aware of the Black Belt and talk to your customers about them so they can plan replacement.

The Otis Black Belt door operator was manufacturered 11/17/2001-8/9/2003 - short run but many manufactuered 

Black Belt Motor information

90V

3140 rpms

Replacement Otis Motor information

30V

3350 rpms

[Otis Black Belt door operator on an Otis Elevator - Not a Colley maintenance account]

The Black Belt looks very similar to the AT400 door operator, which is also being phased out and or obsoleted.  Look at manufacturing dates, door operator labeling as well as motor information to identify the Black Belt or AT400.

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.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.