At Consolidated Elevator Distributors (CED), we’ve spent years helping professionals navigate the elevator modernization process. Replacing an entire system is a massive capital expense, but strategic component upgrades can often achieve the same results for a fraction of the cost.

1. The Brains of the Operation: Controller Upgrades

If your elevator is experiencing frequent “brain farts”—unleveling, erratic door behavior, or long wait times—it’s usually a controller issue.

Instead of a full replacement, a modernization kit focusing on the controller can revolutionize performance. At CED, we advocate for non-proprietary elevator controllers.

• Why it matters: Proprietary parts lock you into a single manufacturer for life. Non-proprietary parts give you the freedom to choose your service provider, lowering long-term maintenance costs.
• The Result: Improved energy efficiency, smoother acceleration/deceleration, and significantly reduced downtime.

2. Door Systems: Solving the #1 Cause of Service Calls

Statistically, nearly 70% of elevator service calls are door-related. Before you rip out the whole car, look at the door operator.

Modernizing your door equipment with high-performance operators and infrared light curtains (safety edges) does two things:

1. Enhances Safety: Newer sensors are far more sensitive to obstructions, reducing liability.
2. Increases Speed: Modern harmonic motion operators open and close more efficiently, improving “floor-to-floor” time.

3. Aesthetics and the “Tenant Perception” Factor

Sometimes, an elevator works fine, but it looks like a time machine from 1984. Passenger perception is reality when it comes to property value.

Upgrading your fixtures, such as Car Operating Panels (COP) and hall lanterns, is the quickest way to boost the perceived value of your building.

• ADA Compliance: Modern fixtures ensure you meet current accessibility standards.
• Touchless Tech: In a post-pandemic world, touchless buttons and antimicrobial finishes remain high-value features for tenants.

[Image showing a comparison between a vintage elevator car operating panel and a modern ADA-compliant COP]

4. Safety Gear and Code Compliance (A17.1)

Safety isn’t just a benefit; it’s a legal requirement. If your system is struggling to meet current A17.1 code compliance, you don’t necessarily need a new elevator, but you likely need new safety components.

Key upgrades to consider include:

• Governor Tensioners: Essential for overspeed protection.
• Pit Buffers: The final fail-safe for car impact.
• Emergency Brake Systems: A must-have for preventing unintended car movement.

Which Path is Right for Your Building?

The “Roadmap” depends on the age of your equipment and your long-term goals. If the “bones” (the rails and the car frame) are solid, modernization is almost always the more sustainable and cost-effective choice.

Ready to spec out your next project? Browse our full catalog of wholesale elevator parts or call our technical team at (866) 233-3538.

The Function of a Hydraulic Elevator Power Unit

In simple terms, the power unit provides the force that lifts and lowers the elevator car. It consists of four primary components:

1. Tank (Reservoir): Holds the hydraulic oil that drives the system.
2. Pump: Typically a screw pump, it pushes oil into the cylinder to raise the elevator.
3. Motor: The submersible motor powers the pump, converting electrical energy into mechanical pressure.
4. Valve: The valve controls oil flow, ensuring smooth starts, stops, and leveling accuracy.

When the elevator is called to a higher floor, the pump forces hydraulic oil into the cylinder, raising the piston and car. When descending, the Maxton valve precisely releases oil back into the tank, allowing for controlled lowering.

This balance of power, flow, and control is what gives hydraulic elevators their signature smooth ride.

Why Quiet Operation Matters

While all hydraulic elevator power units produce some noise, CED Elevator & Electrical’s units are engineered to run quieter thanks to their construction. The reduced noise doesn’t come from the pump, motor, or valve alone — it comes from the way the entire unit is built.

Each tank incorporates welded Unistrut across the full width of the front and back to increase rigidity and reduce vibration. The ½-inch thick motor mounts are isolated and anchored to the Unistrut, minimizing vibration transfer through the frame. The thick-gauge steel tank features a flat bottom that holds more oil, improving sound dampening and temperature stability. Even the lid is engineered to avoid metal-to-metal contact, reducing resonance during operation.

These structural features significantly reduce noise and vibration. It’s one more reason installers and building owners appreciate the quality behind a CED Elevator & Electrical hydraulic power unit.

Reliability and Ease of Maintenance

Each component in a CED power unit is chosen for long-term reliability and easy serviceability. The steel tank design includes a hinged and shocked lid for one-hand opening, and a cutout for quick and easy access to the valve, while optional features like oil coolers, scavenger pumps, and pressure gauges make it adaptable to a variety of installation needs.

Replacement parts and support are available through CED Elevator & Electrical’s nationwide branch network, minimizing downtime and keeping maintenance simple.

Trusted Brands, Proven Components

Our units are built with components from some of the most trusted names in the elevator industry:

• Seim Pumps — known for precision, quiet operation, and long life.
• Imperial Electric Motors — delivering consistent performance and efficiency.
• Maxton Valves — the industry standard for reliability and fine control.

Together, they form a power unit that installers and technicians can depend on for years of service.

CED Elevator & Electrical: Your Source for Quality Power Units

As a leading supplier of elevator components, CED Elevator & Electrical provides complete hydraulic elevator power units designed for performance, quieter operation, and compatibility with a wide range of systems.

To explore our configurations and standard or optional features, visit our product page:
CED Hydraulic Elevator Power Unit

Whether you’re modernizing an existing system or planning a new installation, CED offers high-quality solutions built with trusted components and supported by our dedicated team.