Elevator

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Revision as of 12:18, 13 September 2017 by Zach (talk | contribs)
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Current Status: Operational as of 09-13-2017

Note: not all services are fully functional, please refer to the information below.



The elevator is perhaps the jankyest and most dangerous thing we have at Noisebridge. Please do not use it unless absolutely necessary.


Excellent uses of the elevator include:

1) For disability access to the space (if you have visible or non-visible mobility impairment)
2) Taking out the NB trash on trash night
3) Taking in large donations to the space
4) Taking in or Moving out large equipment or furniture
5) Taking out NB E-Waste
6) Closing the gates and doors /gently/

Unexcellent uses of the elevator include:

1) Bringing your bike up b/c you are too lazy to carry it up stairs
2) Bringing your bike down b/c you are too lazy to carry it down stairs
3) b/c you are too tired / drunk and don't "feel like walking"
4) Slamming the gates and doors loudly and repeatedly, either out of frustration or a latent display of machismo

Unexcellent uses of the elevator will result in verbal reprimand for a first offense. Repeated offenses will be brought up at NB meetings and discussion and will be taken seriously.


Basic Elevator Info + Operation / HOW TO USE

  • Note: There is a white doorbell-type buzzer to the right of the call button if you need help at any time. It will ping the upstairs with a loud, obnoxious sound that will hopefully inspire excellent helping behavior.

The elevator has many "quirks." To operate:

1) Hold down call button on bottom (1st) floor for 1 second. (Holding >1-2 sec. results in the elevator dipping 6" below threshold, making it hard to wheel things on). If the elevator dips and makes access difficult, see "Troubleshooting Elevator Tips" below.
2) Wait 2-3 min. for the elevator to come down. You should be able to see it through the small window on the door. (note, we should add an audible indicator)
3) Open both gates to enter. Do not slide the inside gate too far to the left or it may come off the track. If it does, buzz and ask for help.
4) Enter the elevator
5) Close both gates /gently/ making sure they both travel the full length of the track and are as flush with the door frame as possible
6) Press your desired floor button and hold for 1-2 sec. (Noisebridge is on the 3rd floor)
7) Pray
8) After a complete stop on the floor you desire, open both the inside and outside gate to exit.
9) Exit the elevator
10) Close both gates /gently/ all the way flush with the door frame so that the next person downstairs can call it.


Troubleshooting Tips:
1) The elevator can dip below the 1st floor threshold, making wheel (esp. wheelchair) access difficult. If this happens, close both gates and buzz for help. Someone will need to call the elevator to another floor or ride it down to you. In both cases they need to be sure to hold the "1" button for <2 seconds. Refer them to this wiki if they are unfamiliar with this issue (most people are right now).

2) The elevator will not call from any floor if the gates have not been opened and closed. Make sure to do this if you are calling it up or down to help someone.

3) Do not slide the inside gate too far left (street-facing door, 1st floor). This gate has many issues and can often get stuck on the track. If it does get stuck, Do Not Force It or bend it. Buzz for help. Then, with assistance, left it up at an angle the best you can to gently get it back on the track. Post to Slack or NB-Discuss with any issues so someone can help as well and we can document it.

4) If elevator doesn't call to a floor, have someone run down/up to check to make sure all gates and doors are closed shut. The elevator will not move unless this condition is met.



Current Detailed Status as of 09-13-2017:
The elevator is operation now, with most of the usual "quirks." Here is a list of what is fixed, what needs fixing, and what are some useful upgrades for the future:

Fixed / repaired on 9/12/2017: (5.5hr repair job)

1) Inside panel work: WD-40 added to all buttons, contacts somewhat cleaned, removed the dime that was glued in the panel, added hot glue to raise button height to reach switches, moved orange wire to the center pin of the key switch so that the 3rd floor is always active (key is disabled now, it is useless anyway). Dusted thoroughly.

2) Call button work (1st floor):
The 1st floor call button was coated in crap tons of dust balls. It had 3 wires originally, one now removed and insulated off to the side (presumably a grounding wire)? The switch was constantly shorting the other two contacts which made the elevator inoperable. This is likely due to an eroding rubber insulator under one of the screws, permanently shorting the contacts. The workaround that was done was to insulate the top head of the switch actuator where the short was traveling through. This was done with electrical tape and hot glue and should hold for a long time. The switch itself is fine and has very good action. Contacts were cleaned. Still needs lightbulb. The frame was hot glued to keep closed right now however, a real mounting frame is desperately needed.
3) Gate work:
The front gate (street-facing) was in a horrible state of dis-repair. Two important metal brackets have been cut and are missing, and one very important pop-rivet is missing. As a result, the gate would not slide shut properly and constantly got stuck off the track. The workaround was to add a screw + nut for the missing pop-rivet and to add WD-40 to all the hinges to help with the other missing brackets.






Use the elevator buzzer if you need assistance, or if the call buttons do not work.

The elevator light fixture uses a GU24 base rather than a "screw-in" socket - it requires a 26 watt / GU24 base bulb (such as Eco-Stor model # P26SP-GU24/WW - about $6 + tax from Discount Builder Supply on 13th Street and Mission)


July 27 2010 Test report:

1st floor call button normally closed contacts were impacted with nonconductive dirt. Cleaning is performed with simple white paper, not anything else. Please, if you ever clean these call button relays do not use abrasives, they shorten the life of the relay. Also be sure to take voltage precautions since the switch has 120VAC across it.

When any call button doesn't work, the whole system doesn't work. Is that what is called 'failsafe'?

There's a PDF for an elevator test plan uploaded to the Noisebridge wiki for the elevator. Test monthly.

File:ElevatorTestplan.pdf FFile:Elevator.png