Page 10 - NewsLester Issue 03

ON-BOARD WITH LESTER CONTROLS
As all our customers know, Lester Controls equipment is
usually supplied to control lifts, escalators and moving walks in buildings. However, it may be a surprise for some readers that we also design and manufacture lift controllers for passenger ships and ferries. One of the most famous ships that we have supplied a controller for was The Queen Elizabeth 2 or simply QE2, prior to her retirement in 2007 and departure to the USA. Our interest in the marine world has never diminished.
So, earlier this year, we were approached by Saltire Lift
Services of Scotland, to discuss a lift control solution for P&O Ferries Division. This required Scott Williamson, our Sales & Development Manager working from our Glasgow offices, to help with a survey, in this case, a ship survey with Saltire Lift Services. No need for Scott to get his sea legs as the P&O Causeway based at Stranraer was in the dock, laid up for the refurbishment.
Following on from the survey, Lester Controls were asked to supply an ALMEGA II traditional traction lift controller to manage
the ships 7-person 4-stop lift. We additionally supplied a range of which included a high voltage step down transformer, CEDES APS, voice annunciation, panel test, operating panels and displays including Lester Controls TFT43s.
The Causeway is one of several P&O Ferries that sail from Stranraer which Saltire Lift Services will be working on, this will include the ALMEGA II lift controller installed during a planned refurbishment program.
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE & FIRST MAGNETEK AC QUATTRO INSTALL IN SCOTLAND
During the latter part of 2020, our regional team, headed up by Scott Williamson, were asked to assist with a site survey and technical support with regards to
a request from Glasgow-based Consult Lifts, on behalf of their client, University of Strathclyde. The aim of the lift modernisation was to achieve improved energy savings when the lift is running.
The University of Strathclyde’s 8-floor plus basement James Weir Building is part of University’s Campus and was originally built over 60 years ago.
It also has the second highest structure on the campus, with speeds of 2.5mps and a 42-passenger 3200kgs capacity.
After discussions with Consult Lifts, the decision was made to propose to the University that the modernisation should incorporate a regenerative power option managed by a Lester Controls ALMEGA II along with a new J&L AC SC500 gearless drive.
As hoped, the University chose an ALMEGA II traction controller configured
to manage a Magnetek Quattro System, incorporating high voltage / low current, regenerative and automatic rescue features. By utilising the Quattro system, Magnetek statistics indicate an energy saving can be achieved of 42% over non- regenerative machines of a similar type.
Additional to the above items we also supplied a CEDES APS, voice annunciation, panel test, A3, EN81-20/50, ECO, Fire Evac Features and Cabling.
NEWSLESTER Issue 3 :: Page 10