Westinghouse ERL Duplex Elevator Machine Room Tour

[@ronaldmackall1621]

I love watching relay logic at work!

[@pony053]

Wonder how Westinghouse did their selector? I know they had something called Rototrol.....and many had Synchro-Glide leveling. They had these very machines at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital here in Louisville.

[@terryburchnell578]

I remembered the nameplates of 20 horsepower, and gear worm ratios of 73.0:1

[@Creeperboy099]

I’m just curious, why do they have an AC motor spinning a dc generator instead of simply hooking up a rectifier?

[@dieselshadow]

A rectifier is very simple yes, and would be much easier. However, we can’t control the output of the rectifier, at least not as easy as the DC generator. We can easily control the generator by adjusting the field coils. Since the armature of both the hoist motor and the generator are wired in a big separate loop, the generator field coils become our source of direction and speed for the main hoist motor. Smaller relays and contactors can easily handle the current needed for the field coils. If we were to use a rectifier, a simple contactor would instantly send the hoist motor into full speed. We need to have directional and full speed control. Another aspect is having torque control at various speeds and loads. The closed loop circuit of the motor and generator have special field and shunt winding to compensate for these variations. It’s complicated, yet simple. LOL But very much outdated compared to today’s AC motors and variable voltage, variable frequency drives used in modern elevator controls. 👍🏼

[@Creeperboy099]

dieselshadowman that makes sense Edit: oh, so the controls are 3 phase AC, the motors are DC?

[@nemopop8623]

Hello, how are you when you have the control drawing?

[@LiftyGamez]

Do these not have selectors? Thats rather unusual for a set of Westinghouses

[@dieselshadow]

Yes they do. They have the piano tape selectors for slowdowns, floor levels, and terminal landings. 👍🏼

[@LiftyGamez]

@@dieselshadow Wonder if they replaced the positioning system, it looks quite unusual. In a few cases I have seen they keep the entire relay logic original, but replace the mechanical selector with an electronic one. Im guessing thats due to the better efficiency of exchange of signals between circuit boards?

[@dieselshadow]

It’s all factory. It’s an ERL with a ton of miles that needed to be modded years ago. It’s still limping along. 😆

[@FloridianElevators]

Modernizing or just working on these? I'd assume this is from the 50s or 60s?

[@dieselshadow]

Just working on it unfortunately...these need a mod in a bad way, but the customer doesn't want to spend the dollars.

[@FloridianElevators]

@@dieselshadow How many floors do these serve and how come a mod is badly needed for these? What problems are they having?

[@dieselshadow]

They serve 5 floors. They do not have any of the modern safety features like a secondary brake on the machine. The machines are old and leaking, and a bit noisy. They aren't nearly as efficient as newer AC machines due to the motor generator always running. The relays and wiring is old and crispy. Replacing a relay pretty much requires shutting both elevators down and two men. One on the front side, one on the rear. And they are soldered in. Troubleshooting these takes longer than a modern machine and they breakdown more often. They also have cloth covered traveling cables. These cables are a disaster waiting to happen. These were prime for a mod 10 years ago.

[@unitedothaim652]

Do you have wiring diagram for this type of control2c-2bc-ERL

[@dieselshadow]

I don’t have them handy. The ones on the job are very tatty. But even then, they probably won’t match what you have. Schindler can get you a set if you can’t find any.

[@unitedothaim652]

@@dieselshadow Thank you for your answer. We contacted with Schindler as per your advice but no answer received. Due to the top urgency of this matter, could you please provide us with a copy of this one you have as possible as can?

[@kansasthunderman1]

What does "ERL" stand for?

[@dieselshadow]

I’m not sure. It’s the model number for the controller. Maybe someone in the audience knows what exactly it means.

[@kansasthunderman1]

@@dieselshadow Those machines and controllers look like late 1960s vintage. I'm hoping someone can get these as collectibles so there is a history of elevators. Unfortunately, they will wind up in a scrap metal dumpster and eventually be shredded to reclaim the steel and copper.

[@manuelalvarado6510]

I'm thinking ERL stands for elevator relay logic.

[@alpzepta]

Sound like a Diesel engine

[@matinsplume3778]

28236877alojas 33 2

[@matinsplume3778]

💯💯💯💯💥👍👍👍👍👍🤝🤝🤝🌞☀️