Derby City Area Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large.
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OFFICERS
PRESIDENT David Allgood - (502) 589-6620
VICE PRESIDENT Adam Ford - (502) 425-2206
TREASURER Tom Stokes- (502) 957-5865
LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE Dr. Bill Kraft – (502) 582-5865
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Michael Feger- (502) 647-0368
PAST PRESIDENT Adam Ford- (502) 425-2206
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE- Mike Perry Kelly Young
NSCIA DERBY CITY CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
Editor- Barbara Davis
Contributor- David Allgood
POWERED DOOR OPERATORS, CONT'D
door operator for the Dodge Caravan made by Med-Net for its Kneel-Car.
Reliable operation of door openers begins with a good installation. The doors should close smoothly and completely, and the should look like they are closed. Otherwise, it is likely that someone will eventually pull or push the door to check its closure and damage the door operator inside.
It is important for the installer to align all brackets for the door and Motor properly and —especially for sliding door operators with a chain drive—make sure the chain doesn't bind. If it does, it will lose its strength over a period of months and eventually break. Once the door operator is in place, the control circuits—which include microswitches to activate or interlock functions with the lift — require very exact installation and thorough testing.
Consumers can help themselves by becoming familiar with the mechanics of the door operators and reading the owners manual. Find the location of any microswitches before taking possession of the equipment and learn what happens when they're out of adjustment.
Almost every current production power door operator has a back-up provision for manual operation of the doors. Make sure you know how to use it. Most back-ups are either a simple handle or a pull-pin that releases the door.
Because of the prolonged exposure to the elements, doors and door operators require more maintenance than lifts or hand controls. This is particularly true for the hinges on swing doors and the roller mechanisms on sliding doors. Both require periodic lubrication and should be put on your van's maintenance list just like oil changes and chassis lubrication.
Continuous problems with a power door operator usually indicate that the door has dropped out of alignment for one reason or another. Depending on the damage and type of door, it can be a quick adjustment or require a body shop to align and repaint the hinge area. It is important to do the job thoroughly because nothing can cause more frustration than repeated door operator problems.
Power door operator designs have become more reliable over the years, but they still require maintenance. If consumers will take the time to educate themselves on proper care and use, they can minimize problems.
