Empire Elevator Co., Inc. completed the major elevator modernization at the office building, 1322 Webster Street, Oakland, CA in mid 2006.  The job consisted of the complete renovation and upgrade of one vintage Otis overhead traction passenger elevator.  The elevators, installed in the late 20s, were originally powered by city DC electricity but was upgraded to AC automatic operation in more recent years.  After approximately 80+ years of operation, despite quality continuing service, it was time for a comprehensive upgrade. 

The vintage open relay control and floor selector system were obsolete and increasingly unreliable.  The original drive machine was showing its age after 80 years of operation.  The motor-generator, which converts the incoming AC power to the controllable DC power required by the old machine, was inherently noisy, dirty (carbon dust from the DC brushes) and very power inefficient.  The elevator landing and selector system, no matter how well adjusted, is inherently incapable of accurate car leveling at the floors.  The entire elevator system was not disability accessible nor ADA compliant.  The cab interior and finishes did not speak well for the quality of the facility.

After careful field surveys to determine the best course of action, a detailed modernization specification and cost proposal were prepared for the building owner.  This was followed by the engineering phase of the work, whereby complete elevator design and structural engineering was performed, resulting in comprehensive layout and installation drawings.

Feel free to view the elevator shop drawings prepared for this elevator modernization.  Simply click of the drawing to the left and the full drawings will open in a separate window in PDF format.  To see drawings in landscape view, click on your Adobe Reader's Rotate Counterclockwise image button.  Note drawings cannot be printed or altered.  All drawings and artwork are the property of RCB Elevator Consulting, LLC and may not be used, copied, or in anyway used without the owner's consent.

As you can see from the pictures below, a new modern Hollister Whitney drive machine & motor were installed, a complete new MCE solid state control & drive system, new electronic landing system, all new electrical wiring, new power operated side sliding entrances replaced the swing door entrances, ADA compliant operating fixtures, and a complete new car interior finishes appropriate for the style of the facility were installed.

This job was completed on schedule with minimal interruption to the operation of the facility. 

The old Otis flat head DC motor geared drive machine with open relay mechanical selector, un-switched flyball governor and non-fire rated wood plank machine room floor.

Old, obsolete open relay slate board controller.

The noisy, dirty (carbon dust) and energy inefficient motor-generator was removed as is not necessary for the new VVVF-AC drive system.

The original painted cab, swing door entrance and hall fixture.

New Hollister Whitney geared traction drive machine with efficient Imperial VVVF-AC drive motor.  New encoder on motor for full closed-loop feed-back control.  New H.W. switched governor to the right (just visible).  New non-slip metal plate floor decking for a cleaner, fire-resistant machine room.

New MCE solid state microprocessor control and motor drive system.

New wood laminated cab interior finishes with stainless steel trim, downlight ceiling/lighting and ADA handrail.  New ADA-compliant, power operated side sliding entrances with Braille.

New ADA-compliant car operating panel with digital position indicator, emergency light, integral permit certificate holder, fire service operation and illuminating call pushbuttons.