Gate Opener 101

Zoe — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:24:19 +0000

I have been in the access control and gate opener industry for twenty years and never before have I seen such a collection of garbage than what is being sold today by the discount gate operator manufacturers. Gate openers are more complex and require more knowledge to purchase than most people think. The first thing I hear everyday is “but my gate swings so easily, I can push it with one finger”. Well I would hope so otherwise it needs new hinges or some other type of repair work. Think of your gate as a lever (your gate opener does). The longer the lever (regardless of how light it is) the more leverage your gate exerts on the mechanicals and motorized parts of your gate opener. PLASTIC IS NOT A SUFFICIENT MATERIAL for these parts. Plastic dry rots, becomes brittle in cool weather and is not strong enough to counter the leveraging forces your gate will exert on it). The giveaway to this, the manufacturers don’t want you to know, is the small solenoid lock now being included at “no extra charge” in the low end openers. Its primary function is to protect the opener for being pushed, NOT security. Quality solenoid locks have 2000lbs of holding force, the “free” one is rated for about 150lbs force. GARBAGE. How can you avoid buying an opener with plastic parts? Ask the seller how much the motorized arm mechanism WEIGHS. Weight is the litmus test for motorized gate opener arms. If it weighs less than 20 lbs, it contains A LOT of plastic parts. Good quality operator arms use STEEL or STAINLESS STEEL gears and drive parts to LEVERAGE a gate back and forth. Steel parts weigh more (and yes they cost more too) but will last many times longer (giving you what you really bought the opener for – longevity and reliability). Quality motorized arms with steel parts weight AT LEAST 25 lbs or more. Also, SPEED is an important litmus test. If the opener says it will open a 16′ gate but takes 28 seconds to do it, then it is because the plastic parts are using a lower gear ratio to move a larger gate at a slower speed. High quality openers with steel parts can easily move a 16′ (and 650lbs!!) gate 90 degrees in under 13 or 14 seconds.

Other things to look for are: UL Listings and ETL listings. A control box large enough to accomodate a regular size car battery (if the operator runs off of 12vdc and has battery backup) and other accessories such as a loop detectors, chargers, a UL approved electrical outlet, etc…. Here’s an idea for you, if you plan to use decorative lights on your front fence line or in your yard at Christmas, we have seen people install an extra radio receiver and relay to activate those lights REMOTELY from the gate operator box. No more sloshing out in 40 degree rain to turn the lights on and off during the holidays!! A good size control box affords you the room for these kinds of options and can still be easily hidden behind landscaping or your fence line.

If you do your homework, buy a good quality gate opener from someone who KNOWS THIS EQUIPMENT WELL, and make sure it is installed correctly, you will have an automatic gate that you can depend and rely on for many years. The convenience and security aspects of this equipment not only make using your gated entrance easier, but also will actually improve your property value. Spending $300 or $400 more upfront on equipment you plan to use for many years is an investment that will actually save you thousands over the long run and provide the convenience and luxury you originally intended when you gated your property in the first place.

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