I finally had to choose between a full motor rewind or a replacement unit on a 1980s Otis job

The motor on a traction unit in a 12-story office building here in Cleveland was failing. We could either rewind it on-site, which would take my crew about five days, or swap in a new OEM unit in two. I went with the replacement for the faster tenant turnaround, even though it cost the building owner about $3,000 more upfront. It went smoothly, and we had the car running by Thursday afternoon. Has anyone else faced that call recently on an older system, and which way did you lean?

3 comments

3 Comments

williams.jenny2mo ago

Hold up, you swapped the whole unit? I totally get the faster fix, but that rewind would have saved a big chunk of cash long term. A good rewind on a motor like that can last another twenty years easy, and you keep the original part. @scott.miles had the right idea going that route. I'd rather have my crew busy for a few extra days than cost the owner that much more money for basically the same result. New parts aren't always better, especially on those old Otis jobs.

scott.miles2mo ago

Made the same call last year, went with the rewind.

-1

mary_martin222mo ago

Wait, you actually went with the rewind? That's wild! I remember the reviews for that thing were brutal last year. The battery life was supposed to be a total joke, like dying before lunchtime. How did you even make it through a full day with it? That choice is honestly shocking to me.