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Got a call for a stuck elevator at a 1920s hotel in Savannah.
The old relay logic was acting up, so I tried a trick an old timer told me: give the main contactor a firm tap with a rubber mallet. Instead of freeing up, the whole panel lit up like a Christmas tree and the car shot up two floors with the doors open. Learned that trick only works on specific Westinghouse units, not this ancient Otis. Anyone know a safer way to unstick those old contactors without causing a scene?
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hollyg597mo ago
Yikes, that sounds terrifying! I read somewhere that a tiny bit of electrical contact cleaner on a swab can free up a sticky contactor without the shock hazard. You gotta make sure the power is locked out first, obviously. What's the hotel saying about the surprise elevator ride?
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vera_murphy7mo ago
Lock out first" is the part people always skip, with everything.
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lilys827mo ago
Oh man, that's rough. Honestly, I don't touch anything with a mallet, ever. That trick is asking for trouble on any unit. Locking out is step one, but then you need to check for worn parts or burnt contacts. A tap might get it moving, but it doesn't fix why it stuck. Isn't that just putting a band-aid on a bigger problem?
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