All FAQs (Helpie FAQ)

When a garage door is opening slowly, it might mean one of the following 1) broken springs 2) springs needs mot tightening 2) Garage door wheels need greasing 3) garage door motor problem 4) garage door motor speed adjustments. It is advisable to seek help of professional garage door motor repairs technician to asses and make repair recommendations.

Yes, gate motors can often be repaired depending on the type and extent of the damage. Common issues with gate motors include electrical faults, mechanical failures, and wear and tear over time.

For minor issues, such as electrical or sensor problems, a skilled technician can often diagnose and repair the motor without much difficulty. However, if there's significant damage to the motor itself, it might be more cost-effective to replace it rather than repair it.

It's always a good idea to consult with us so that we can assess the problem and provide the best course of action, whether that's repair or replacement.

Garage door motor costs can vary, from R2500 to R4000 depending on the type of the door, make and model. When quoted with installation, it averages around R3500

Some gate motor work only with batteries. This type of gate motors always relies on the battery while using electricity for charging purposes only. There are however some gate motors which work without battery. These type of gate motors use electricity fulltime and only rely on the battery for backup purpose. Check the brand and model of your gate motor and refer to the manual.

Depending on the brand and type of gate motor you have, some gate motors will continue to work properly except when there is power failure. Some gate motors work well without battery. Some brand of gate motors however needs a battery a battery to operate. These kind of gate motors wont work when the battery is dead, even when there is electric supply to the motor. You need to consult the manual of your gate motor or contact us for assistance

Yes, Loadshedding power outages affect the gate motor battery charge and discharge cycles. if no backup system such as solar or inverter powering the gate motor, it means the gate motor will rely on the battery every time there is loadshedding. This means that the gate motor battery will keep charging and discharging will drastically reduce the battery lifespan. Another way loadshedding can affect gate motors is when electrical cabling is not wired properly and are there is always power spikes or surges when power comes back. this can damage the gate motor power supply.

There are few reasons why your sliding gate might stop working after rain. Firstly, there might be possible that dirty stuck on the gate rails. Inspect your rails for any visible obstructive objects. Secondly, check is there is power to the gate motor. There might be possibility that power tripped and batteries are flat, which if that’s the case also consider replacing the batteries. Power to the gate might trip if water went into power cables which are exposed or not properly insulated. Thirdly, check if the actual gate motor electronic components were not exposed to rain, which might have damaged the circuit or damaged by lightning or power surges.

There are mainly two reasons why gate motor might not be charging the battery. The first issue might be caused by a faulty gate motor charger supply. You need to test the charger and confirm if there is enough voltage required for charging the battery. Each gate motor and battery are different so you need to know the size of the batteries and how much voltage required to charge. Secondly, check if the power cables to the battery are tight and no dirt. Thirdly, the batteries might be dead. In a case where there is correct voltage from your battery charger, replace the batteries.

The operation of a gate motor can vary depending on the type of gate (sliding, swinging, barrier, etc.) and the specific motor model. However, the basic principles are similar. Here's a general overview of how gate motors work:

1. Power Supply: Gate motors are typically electrically powered. They require a power supply, often connected to the mains electricity. Some models may also have options for battery backup to ensure continued operation during power outages.
2. Motor Mechanism:
   • Sliding Gate Motors: For sliding gates, the motor is usually attached to the gate and moves it along a track.
   • Swing Gate Motors: Swing gate motors operate by using a mechanical arm or arms to swing the gate open or closed.
3. Control Mechanism:
   • Gate motors are controlled by a central control system. This can include devices such as remote controls, keypads, intercoms, or smartphone apps.
   • Users input a command through one of these control devices to open or close the gate.
4. Safety Mechanisms:
   • Gate motors often come equipped with safety features to prevent accidents or damage. These may include sensors that detect obstacles in the gate's path, auto-reverse functionality, and manual release mechanisms for emergencies.
5. Limit Switches:
   • Most gate motors have limit switches to determine the fully open and fully closed positions of the gate. These switches ensure that the gate stops moving once it reaches the desired position.
6. Programming and Settings:
   • Gate motors may have programmable settings, allowing users to adjust the speed of the gate, set automatic closing times, and customize other operational parameters.
7. Security Features:
   • Many gate motors have additional security features, such as the ability to integrate with access control systems, intercoms, or surveillance cameras.

In summary, a gate motor works by converting electrical energy into mechanical motion to open or close a gate. Users control the motor through various input devices, and safety mechanisms and limit switches help ensure smooth and secure operation. The specific details can vary based on the type and model of the gate motor. It's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, operation, and maintenance to ensure proper functionality and longevity.

Programming remote for your gate motor is a straight forward process. However, each and every manufacture have their own process to program remotes. Refer to your manufacture manual for your current model. Alternatively contact us for fast assistance

The lifespan of a gate motor can vary based on several factors, including the quality of the motor, its usage patterns, maintenance, and environmental conditions. On average, a well-maintained and properly installed gate motor can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

A gate motor, also known as an electric gate motor or gate opener, is a device that automates the process of opening and closing a gate. It is commonly used for residential, commercial, and industrial gates to enhance security, convenience, and control access to a property. Gate motors come in various types and designs, but they generally operate by using electric power to move the gate along a track or a set of wheels. The motor is usually connected to a control system, such as a remote control, keypad, intercom, or even a smartphone app, allowing users to open or close the gate with ease. Some common types of gate motors include:

1. Sliding Gate Motors: These are used for gates that slide horizontally along a track.
2. Swing Gate Motors: These are designed for gates that swing open and close like a door.
3. Barrier Gate Motors: Typically used in parking lots or commercial areas, these motors operate a barrier arm that rises and falls to control vehicle access.
4. Overhead Gate Motors: These are suitable for overhead or garage-style gates.

Gate motors provide a practical solution for managing access to properties, improving security, and eliminating the need for manual gate operation. They are widely used in both residential and commercial settings to enhance convenience and control over entry and exit points.

One beep periodically for 30 seconds

Message: Beams active / safety beams active

Possible cause

• Beam interrupted
• Beam test inadvertently enabled
• IR beams faulty, misaligned or disconnected
• Damaged Safe Common input

Solution

• Ensure that no people or objects are in the path of the
beam
• Ensure that the Safety Open and Safety Close LEDs
are illuminated – if not, the inputs can be permanently
bridged to Com – or the controller can be reset to factory
defaults
• Disable the Beam Test feature under Menu 6: IR Beams
• Ensure that the safety beams are in working order and
correctly wired
• Replace faulty controller

Five beeps periodically for 30 seconds 

Message: Current sensor fault reading too high/low

Possible cause

• Poor/intermittent motor wire connection
• Faulty electric motor
• Controller hardware problem

Solutions

• Ensure that the DOSS is clipped firmly into its carrier and
that the harness is plugged in on both the DOSS and
controller side
• Check for bad connections
• Replace DOSS harness
• Replace DOSS unit
• Replace faulty controller

Five beeps periodically for 30 seconds

Message: DOSS FAULT / DOSS FAULT-DISCONNECTED

Causes

• DOSS physically disconnected
• Poor connection on DOSS or controller side
• Faulty harness
• Faulty DOSS
• Faulty controller

Solution

• Ensure that the DOSS is clipped firmly into its carrier and
that the harness is plugged in on both the DOSS and
controller side
• Check for bad connections
• Replace DOSS harness
• Replace DOSS unit
• Replace faulty controller

Gate motor beeping is a way your centurion gate motor is trying to alert you of problems. See below for what the beeping means and what possible was to resolve the problem

Three beeps: the battery is running low

This means the power supply is not charging the battery. It can either be because the power supply charging circuit is faulty or no power is supplied to the charging unit and the battery is no longer being charged. The motor may continue to run but will warn you of a potential battery-low shutdown by emitting three short beeps every couple of seconds.

Two beeps: mains failure

The majority of our gate motors are battery-driven, meaning that the primary source is either a single 12V battery or two batteries connected in series, depending on the particular model. In theory, this means that they can operate sans mains power. However, a main supply is needed in order to keep the battery in a charged state. In the event of a power failure, for example, due to load-shedding or the power supply (charger) being damaged by, say, lightning, your CENTURION gate motor will periodically emit two short beeps until power is restored.

Four beeps: multiple collisions

A “collision” in the context of gate automation can take many different forms. It could mean that the gate has picked up an actual obstruction, for example, a rock or piece of wood on the track, or it could point to some problem with the internal drive circuitry. Whatever the cause, four beeps generally mean that something has prevented the gate from completing a full opening or closing cycle, and you should refer to the LCD screen for additional information.

Installing a gate motor can be a very complicated exercise. It requires skills and very strict safety precaution. It is advisable to always use services of qualified installers for such a task. You can also refer to installation guides and videos we compiled for various gate motors by clicking here.

The question of which gate motor is the best is asked many times. There is no straight answer to this as choosing gate motor depends entirely on use application. Also, need to consider support and maintenance availability in your area for such gate motors. In South Africa, common gate motors include Centurion, Gemini, ET NICE and Hansa. There are other gate motors which might do as good if not better. Get advice from your local gate motor installer or contact us for free consultation and quotation.

The price of the gate motor depends on factors such as the weight of the gate, size and application. Our prices for gate motors starts from R5900 including installation. This gate motor price can go high depending on factors explained about. Also note that electrical  power source can also increase the price of installation. click here for prices

When your centurion gate motor is failing to complete the setup. different erros messages will be displayed on the controller screen. Let look at the different messages, their meaning and ways to resolve the problem

Message: Multiple Pulses on Origin

Possible causes

• Sensor positioned too far from the origin magnet
• Sensor and origin manget positioned at different heights
• Incorrect orientation of magnet inside enclosure
• More than one magnet on gate
• Incorrect orientation of origin magnet
• Magnetised item on rack
• Incorrect orientation of the electric motor is causing induction
• Missing pins on origin enclosure• Faulty harness
• Faulty origin sensor

Solutions

Ensure that the sensor is as close as possible to the origin
magnet – ideally the gap should be approximately 13mm.
Refer to Figure 1 on page 2
• Sensor and origin magnet should be positioned at the
same height
• Ensure that there is only one magnet on the gate
• Ensure that there are no items such as metal bars on the
rack that could have become magnetised
• Orientate the electrical motor so that the wires are facing
away from the controller
• Replace faulty origin sensor
• Open sensor enclosure and correct orientation of internal
magnet

Message: Origin not found

possible causes

• The distance is too great between the origin sensor and
the magnet
• The magnet and sensor are mounted at different levels
• Incorrect orientation of magnet
• The gate is getting stuck at a certain point before the
magnet has passed the sensor
• Faulty origin sensor

Solutions

• Check the information screen on page 75 – it should
display the position of the magnet (left/right) when the
magnet is passing the sensor
• Ensure that the magnet and sensor are mounted at the
same level
• Ensure that there is an audible ‘click’ whenever the
magnet passes the origin sensor
• Ensure that the arrow on the magnet is facing the
operator – there should be a repelling action when the
magnet is brought near the sensor
• Move the magnet closer to the origin sensor. Refer to
Figure 1 on page 2
• Replace the origin sensor

Message: No endstops found

Possible causes

• Mechanical Endstops have not been installed
• Oil in DOSS chamber
• DOSS faulty or disconnected
• Electric fence contact preventing gate from reaching fully
closed position
• Faulty electrical motor

Solutions

• Install physical Endstops in order to induce the stall
needed to stop the motor
• Ensure that the harness is connected on both the
controller and DOSS side
• Check for evidence of oil on the encoder by following the
procedure documented below: (D5-Evo/D5-Evo
Low-Voltage only)
• Remove the DOSS and carrier so that the encoder wheel
is clearly visible
• Disengage the gearbox
• Place your finger on the wheel
• Move the gate a metre or so in both directions
• Check your finger for oil
• Place an endstop approximately 100mm before the fully
closed position and perform setup procedure
• Disconnect the motor wires from the controller and place
them directly on the battery terminals to check whether
the motor runs. If not, replace the electric motor.

Message: Inconsistant endstops

Possible causes

• Mechanical Endstops are not securely fitted
• Poor meshing between rack and pinion due to excessive
gap, missing teeth, etc.
• Faulty DOSS sensor
• Electric fence contact preventing gate from reaching fully
closed position

Solutions

• Ensure that Endstops are sturdy and do not move
• Ensure that gap between rack and pinion is approximately 3mm
• Check for missing teeth on rack
• Place an endstop approximately 100mm before the fully
closed position and perform setup procedure