Life span is directly related to both the original manuf. and how it is maintained. A 1975 Otis is a pretty good unit mechanically. Pictures and more info would help though. What type of controls now? There is really no replacement for a generator except for a "battery lowering" unit. MCE has TAPS and Reynolds & Reynolds has TPV. They are limited to 40 HP or less though. Either will bring the car to the nearest landing and let passengers out then wait for normal power to return. There are some great guys out here and I am sure can offer more.

There all kinds of info out there, but what do you plan on doing with it? You need to be licensed to work on them and depending on where your located the fines are extremely high if you are not.You can always ask your elevator mechanic question about the equipment or specifics of what you can do or not.

The life span of an elevator is approx. 25 years (actually think its shorter but that number sticks in my head for some reason) according to lift industry standards (whatever they are just heard the boss talking about it the other day)and thats what they quote to building managers/owners when they are doing a life cycle report for the entire building.

Some of the newer controllers out now are obselete in about 15 years...Just had a meeting on how some drives and controls aren't supported by the manufacturers anymore! And these companies are "non-propriety" companies! Who knows what the OEM companies will do in the next say 20 years with the new equipment going in now! It's a real problem in our industry. I see good older equipment being modernized that really doesn't need it. Why? We should just fix the problems and let them run another few years? I've worked for a major companie for 23 years. They make a dynamite control that I believe is one of the industries best. As great as thier controls is they haven't learnt that you still need to maintain the unit for it to run trouble free.

Actually most apartment buildings (especially smaller ones)dont have emergency power for the lifts , thats one of the many downfalls living in an apartment block...apart from noisy neighbours, limited parking etc etc etc.