10 Sep

Case Study: Residential Apartment Block – Hydraulic VVVF MRL Lift Modernisation

 

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front cover modernisation case study residential

Background

Over the past two years, Hydratec have been working with one of its major customers to improve the reliability of two hydraulic Machine-Room-Less (MRL) lifts in a private residential block.

Working with our client, the reliability has been improved, but there were still ongoing complaints from the residents about the excessive noise created by the power units during up travel. The noise was transmitted throughout the building and was disturbing residents’ sleep to such an extent that the majority of them, who were able, were using the stairs. The design of the original building gave rise to some of the noise problems; the lift well is a steel structure within a steel stairwell with thin sheet cladding on the outside. The cladding provided little in the way of an acoustic barrier, and as previously mentioned, the original power units were very noisy during up travel.

Our Brief

Hydratec were tasked with significantly reducing the noise levels whilst at the same time improving the reliability and safety of the lifts. This created several challenges:

  • The original power units were of a vertical design with a very small footprint of 400mm square
  • The noise levels of similar hydraulic systems were very much in line with the existing unit
  • No option to relocate the power unit outside the lift well
  • Restricted space for the new controller

Our Solution

We knew that in order to reduce noise levels we would need a VVVF drive. Our experience has shown that ALGI produce the quietest VVVF hydraulic drive currently available, fortunately, they also produce a vertical ‘Tower’ power unit with a footprint of less than 400mm square. The ALGI VVVF drive uses the Danfoss LD302 series inverters; it is certified to drive the motor without contactors – this not only reduced the controller size but also removed the motor contactor noise.

Lester Controls manufactured a very compact controller which would fit into the architrave. We were able to wall mount the inverter to save more space, so the end result is a very compact unit. Drive adjusting and programming is safely carried out using a flying lead type remote programming module, which can also be plugged into a laptop.

The Final Outcome

Hydratec began the project in April; it was completed on time and to budget in May. Our before and after sound readings showed very significant reductions in sound levels during up travel of 18 dBA in the lobby area. In the down direction, the noise levels were the same. The only overall increase in noise level was during down travel within the car, where we found a 6 dBA increase, due to the motor running in the down direction.

Although we were presented with some interesting challenges, we believe the outcome exceeded everyone’s expectations. The lift has proven to be exceptionally reliable for our customer; the residents are now back to using the lift regularly and benefitting from undisturbed sleep at night. They are now looking to secure funds to complete the works on the second lift in the near future.

If you have a particular hydraulic problem or are looking for special solutions, please give Hydratec a call. We are the most experienced hydraulic lift specialist and we pride ourselves on our reputation within the industry.

07 Sep

Why Hydratec Parts and Site Services?

Why Hydratec Parts Service?

It all boils down to is specialist experience and knowledge! That’s why lift companies across the UK choose Hydratec for hydraulic spares. Our comprehensive spares and parts service is run from our main premises in Hampshire, where we carry branded OEM products and high quality non-OEM items for almost every type and make of hydraulic lift. Our experienced, specialist staff will help with specifications and offer advice about compatibility and suitability for use when parts are being specified for a hydraulic modernisation or upgrade project. Our aim is to deliver to a UK destination of your choice within 48 hours.

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why hydratec parts

Suppliers of premium quality products from the industry leaders:

  • Algi
  • Beringer
  • Blain
  • Bucher
  • GMV
  • Hydronic

Including:

  • Valves
  • Ram Seals
  • Rupture Valves
  • Hydraulic Oil Changes
  • Hoses and Pipework
  • Oil/Water Heat Exchange Systems
  • Motors and Power Units
  • Energy Efficient Drives
  • Silencers
  • Tanks
  • Pulleys, Ropes, Chains

Why Hydratec Site Services?

When you are commissioning a sub-contractor to undertake work on your behalf, particularly when your customers are present, choosing the right sub-contractor can be somewhat challenging!

Now in our 22nd year, Hydratec has become one of the best-known names in the industry for hydraulic lift specialisation.

Our entire ethos is to work as partners with our clients, providing a level of dedication normally only found from directly employed engineers and technicians. We support this by never working directly for an end-user and always presenting ourselves as part of our customers’ teams. We are always strict about branding and our customers have the knowledge and assurance that their customers never see any Hydratec branding – our vehicles, work-wear and our site paperwork carry no logos or contact details.

We offer a totally unbiased service and have no allegiance to any one manufacturer, but as expected we have close relationships with all, so when undertaking consultancy work or simply straightforward advice, we offer independent, impartial support that’s always in our customers’ best interests.

A subject that is frequently raised in our industry is transparency and almost always over costs. We address this issue in two ways: firstly, providing transparent cost options for our services where possible, and secondly, to provide exactly what is needed; we do not build jobs, just relationships.

We cover the whole of England and Wales and have experienced, specialist technicians with mates available to undertake repairs, maintenance, upgrades, modernisation and installation. All of our on-site work is fully guaranteed and all call-backs specifically relating to our work or the parts we used have the assurance of a 12 month cost-free warranty.

Hydratec are often asked to assist with hydraulic consultation services by global, national and independent lift companies; we help with site surveys, and will provide best solution advice for upgrades and modernisation projects. Additionally, to help customers develop their own engineers and mates, we offer lift engineer training on a fully working hydraulic lift and a range of valves and drives at our recently fitted training centre in Hampshire.

Need to know more? Contact us now to discover more about Hydratec’s specialist sub-contractor services and how our dedication to our clients is what sets us apart from all the rest.