Pristine Mid-90s ATLAS Excell Traction Elevators - Mall Plaza Hotel - MG, BR

A pair of ATLAS Excell traction elevators from the mid 90s at a luxury hotel. Very early ones, still looking almost new, with Atlas only branding and best of all - commerical version, with the chimes!
This hotel was built annexed to the mall, belonged to a smaller national chain and was one of the top hotels in the region, even for being a more mid-end at the time. In 2015 a larger luxury chain acquired it, started renovations in the entire building and completely retrofitted the exterior and interior. At least they didn't mess with these elevators... yet.
These are the two passenger cars that serve the tower. Keycarded on all the guest levels, so no riding above floor 1. There is another elevator, a small ThyssenKrupp Synergy from the early 2010s located on the opposite side of the lobby, it serves mostly as a shuttle between the amenities levels, was installed when they built the walkway to the mall that begins on level E.
Their size is average, not that big, not small either, ideal for this application. Cabs are standard, and pretty simple and plain for the most part, all steel finish and one of the more basic designs available, no special custom features, only the essential, mirror and handrails and some posters. The ceiling panels have been replaced for generic ones with LED lighting though, everything else still original. They added air purifier devices from thyssenkrupp on them, same ones installed in the shuttle TK and some other elevators on the other towers annexed to the mall. Interesting how these earlier Excells still have that square cut in the walls near the COP for the attendant bench and technical access, like all the previous models in commercial type versions. Rarely used nowadays save for some specific applications, Atlas Schindler discontinued it on ones made after 2000.
Fixtures are Linea Ufficio, of the first version, still only Atlas and Villares branded. Other than some small details, nothing else too different from the usual on these, as always, they're very cool and of excellent quality. TSE touch buttons, some extra controls of the commercial version. It features the big dot-matrix indicator with the scrolling animation which is a less common optional. No chimes play on any hall indicators, except for a single one on level E, that sounds "raspy" for some reason. Only on the main level T they have working indicators, on all the other floors (which still haven't burned out) they only work as lanterns showing the direction arrows when the car arrives. That is actually because of the controller version which only supports an indicator on the main level and only arrows on all the others, strange leftover from the logic from Atlas' older systems. As with a lot of Ufficios, many of these indicators are burned out and others have chimes turned off for quietness.
In overall great condition, very well cared for, mantained and clean as they have to be for an application like this, they're still looking almost like new which is great considering their age and use.
Performance is really great, as expected of a top-range model for this application. Travel speed is really good, they're fast for the distance served, and run really smoothly all throughout, starts and stops are seamless, pretty efficient operation with no delays at all, highly comfortable ride, and barely any feeling of movement inside. Mostly thanks to the great Varispeed VF drive that runs these. The only issue I noted is that they tend to shake a little while traveling between some floors, notice on the camera. Common with a lot of Excells, though not as much as this. Doors are also doing pretty well, very smooth and silent. Not a lot of sounds or noises, during operation in general, they're pretty quiet, including the motors, sadly no epic ones. Probably more audible near the top and now drowned out with the sound of the air purifier.
Maintenance by Atlas and then Atlas Schindler since installation, and good service they're getting here, it's an important contract.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: ATLAS - Villares
Mantainer: Atlas Schindler
Model: Excell
Fixtures: Linea Ufficio, TSE touch sensitive buttons
Type: Passenger Commercial
Hoisting: Traction
Doors: Center-opening (MOLINE operator)
Capacity: 700 kg/10 persons (apx. 1500 lbs.)
In Service: 1996/97
Floors Served: 16 (1S - T* - RE - E - 1/11 - CO)
Controller: Atlas EX FV (Excell Mk II), G3 VF drive control
Machine: GEVISA-WEG CE-190 geared AC machine
Rating: 9/10 - Very nice Excell install! Early non-Schindler ones, commercial type and with some nice little features. Sadly almost all keycarded, not many chimes (a single one at least), no epic motors and the cabs are quite simple. Cabs and fixtures are still in perfect shape and the performance is pretty great save for a little shaking. Still, I like these a lot! Probably some of the best I've ever been in yet.
Filmed: Sep 4, 6 and Oct 11, 2021
Camera: Samsung Galaxy A52
© 2021 - 2024 L. Naves