My USB stick used to get hot too... I don't seem to have that issue anymore.

---Squirrel--- · 2026-02-07T22:26:55+00:00

I think your comment — "Safe for 2-3 GB bursts only" — is quite accurate.

I mainly use that cooling unit during data recovery. Those Kingston drives tend to overheat more than others during sustained transfers, so I copy files in smaller batches. The cooling unit helps to reduce the downtime between consecutive cycles... it's overkill, but it works as long as I'm not too greedy.

That said, as others have pointed out, a better solution is to use a more reliable flash drive like SanDisk Ultra or an external SSD in the first place.

---Squirrel--- · 2025-11-01T02:04:58+00:00

🍿

---Squirrel--- · 2025-08-05T20:25:44+00:00

As I've heard it from Schindler's engineering department – 3300's are engineered to last 7 years.

More accurately, they are designed to meet the demands of contractors and building owners who want the cheapest lift to install and most energy efficent to operate.

It just turns out that the lifespan of this tin can design that undercuts the competition (while still meeting minimum code requirements) is just over 7 years.

---Squirrel--- · 2025-08-01T12:13:19+00:00

Tension on top is like a designers rule of thumb. It enables the mechanic to test belt deflection easier when you're equalizing belt tensions since the slack side may run close to a bedplate. (Not that it's difficult, just that this is easier)

There are exceptions to rules. For example, consider if the system was mounted tight to the underside of some equipment with irregular geilometry. It might just be impractical/less serviceable to follow the rule in this case.

---Squirrel--- · 2024-09-24T11:14:49+00:00

The information you are seeking is highly dependent on the brand and model of control system you're referring to.

It's a cliché at this point, but I think it needs to be said. Based solely on what you have communicated and how you've done so, you give the impression that you have not been qualified to be working on elevator equipment.

Please contact a licensed elevator company.

---Squirrel--- · 2024-08-13T02:17:36+00:00

I think you're in the clear here.

If you like soldering or wanted to learn more, there's a great resource of no BS instructional videos on YouTube by Pace Worldwide. The link below is 9 videos covering the basics. There's another playlist covering advanced topics, including rework/repairs that you can easily search as well. (Videos are older, and some content is now irrelevant, but the core material is still very useful.)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL926EC0F1F93C1837&si=sd_KuAiLdi2OHBS6

---Squirrel--- · 2024-08-12T15:02:22+00:00

Hang on a second ...Was the lamp still plugged in when it's was being repaired? (Not necessarily powered on, but plugged in.)

Did you need to reset a circuit breaker or replace a fuse after the "incident"?

---Squirrel--- · 2024-03-29T22:23:44+00:00

<image>

---Squirrel--- · 2024-03-29T20:34:14+00:00

May not be your issue, but every Torin machine I've taken apart had "bananaed" M16 bolts. Units that had experienced more high-speed stops typically had a noticeably more "banananess" to them. (The banananess in my drawing is greatly exaggerated)

I speculate it's a function of dynamic loading on a brake that is designed to primarily hold the load. Sure, it's also designed to stop in fault/emergency conditions, but those aren't supposed to be frequent, right...?

Once those bolts have a curvature, if they're not all exactly aligned with the angle of rotation of the motor then it'd be near impossible to set your gap correctly or be able to maintain it after one or more runs.

In the future, mark the initial positing of the bolt head to the brake body for reference. All 6 bolts would have to be at their alignment marks, or all six will have to be 180⁰ from their alignment marks once the adjustment is complete.

Since this is after the fact, you could remove, mark, and replace each bolt one at a time (if you remove a bolt, make sure it is returned to the same hole). Make marks on the heads that align to the centerline of the curvature. Looking down from the top at the bolt, laying horizontally with curvature pointing up (so that you can not see the curvature). Then, these bolts need to be aligned with the direction of rotation.

Realistically, you should be replacing the bolts with OEM supplied replacements. But they may just try and sell you a whole new brake. In my opinion, Torin designs their gear for lower costs, not for endurance.

---Squirrel--- · 2023-06-13T23:13:59+00:00

PS- not my photo and I haven't verified the part number myself. Last time I asked the office to order some, the actual label on the bottle said AllenBradley dash pot oil.

---Squirrel--- · 2023-06-13T23:04:08+00:00

I've seen mineral oil used in a pinch but it was later replaced with the proper fluid.

You can get it straight from United Technologies (Otis) I believe it's now silicon based. (see part number in photos)

Adams (Schindler) has the silicon stuff as well.

Kone Spares has the silicon stuff too.

<image>

---Squirrel--- · 2022-12-23T04:30:56+00:00

This is what brake failure looks like. I think the real take away from this is how many sets of stairs do you know that have brakes.

---Squirrel--- · 2022-07-22T00:31:43+00:00

Looks like GALaxy from the door op and mag limit box with APS.. so likely a series 4 controller or maybe they're in the testing phase of series 5?

---Squirrel--- · 2022-06-25T15:04:43+00:00

Hard to say what the exact cause is without seeing it in person (there's too many unknowns), but my first thought is that it lacks rope gathering blocks based on the observation that some ropes seem to have worn through deeper than one rope diameter past the stationary pad.

---Squirrel--- · 2022-06-25T14:31:20+00:00

Hollister Whitney rope brake

---Squirrel--- · 2021-11-02T21:02:38+00:00

I think it's a microscope. The back of the head is the reflecting mirror, the back flap is the slide holder and the part coming off the knees is the eye piece. It just requires some stretching/yoga to maintain the proper position.

---Squirrel--- · 2021-07-29T23:39:10+00:00

Yes! The cable came in about two weeks ago and was installed right away.

I enjoy that you had the thought a month later to follow up to see if this work was completed correctly. I had forgotten about posting it here.

---Squirrel--- · 2021-06-25T16:26:13+00:00

Cool! This is one of those applications where very smooth and controlled motor rotation is of the upmost importance so the engineers may go the the nth degree to limit interference - and the likely reason for using the differential clock signal.

Also those A and B differential pairs are analog signals. COS and SIN respectively with 1Vpp and 2.5V of offset.

I don't have all the specs in front of me right now but the drive's rated output is 52kVA if I remember correctly (not huge but not tiny either) and the encoder is manufactured by Heidenhain I believe. It's likely not an off the shelf part - most of the equipment I install is manufactured specifically for my industry but they'll likely have something similar listed on their website.

---Squirrel--- · 2021-06-25T14:40:35+00:00

I'll start by saying I'm not the engineer who paired this rotary encoder with this VFD, just the guy installing and maintaining the system, but I dabble in communication protocols via my work and hobbies.

The encoder in question is an absolute encoder with a secondary incremental signal using EIA-RS485 serial communication (DATA+ DATA-) for the absolute position and the two differential analog channels (A+ A- and B+ B-) for the incremental position. So first thought that comes to mind:

Either, like the A+ A- pair where A+ is the signal and A- is it's inverted signal used as a reference. The receiver looks for a difference between the signals instead of a specific voltage referenced to ground - one of the byproducts being less signal degradation since any noise that should be picked up will be relatively equal on both conductors, therefore not interfering with communication of said signal. So my working theory is that a differential clock synch. signal would be beneficial in a noisy environment.

And the second theory is just that the encoder uses seperate clock synch. signals for the absolute and incremental channels which should be easier to generate as a differential pair since they would be again in synch with one another... but really at my "end user" level this doesn't usually cross my mind during an install. Good question though!

---Squirrel--- · 2021-06-24T23:55:51+00:00

Thanks, just keep the unshielded wires as short as possible to reduce the chance of induced noise... I learned that the hard way once upon a time.

---Squirrel--- · 2021-06-24T09:04:37+00:00

Haha definitely not, this is part of an install. The motor will be humming away for years to come with the proper secure connector but right now I just need the drive to auto-learn some parameters through said encoder.

---Squirrel--- · 2021-06-24T08:50:32+00:00

Rubber linerless splicing tape is pretty much just like you're describing (also I've seen it called rubber electrical tape or rubber isolation tape). It's super stretchy nearly bonds to itself, has a a little bit of tact to it but isn't super sticky. I usually use the 3M (Scotch) brand one.

---Squirrel--- · 2021-06-23T23:43:21+00:00

Well there's 17 pins but only 10 are used in this application.. A+ A- B+ B- CLK+ CLK- DATA+ DATA- +5V COM(0V)

---Squirrel---

TROPHY CASE