There are a lot of common problems you can run into when it comes to automatic gates and gate motors. If you need us to help you with your Automatic Gates and gate motor repairs in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Durbanville, Wellington, or Paarl. don’t hesitate to contact us!

 

Most of the time you spend interacting with your electric or automatic gate should be easy and hassle-free. But as with everything, electric gates can and will experience problems that impact how well they function. These problems can range from super easy to fix to needing to call a professional in to get the necessary repairs completed. If you’re experiencing issues with your gate, we’ve put together a list of the 10 most common problems that we’ve come across and what steps you can take to make sure your gate is functioning at its finest!

Non-Functioning Remote Controls

Has your gate’s remote control ceased to function? You probably just need to replace the batteries. But if that’s not the culprit, it may be time for a new remote control. The company that installed your electric gate will be able to give you all the information you need on getting a replacement remote control.

Gate Power Supply Issues

This may seem like a no-brainer, but is your gate power supply on and/or connected? Are items associated with the gate, like the keypad, functioning or not? If no element of your gate is functioning, then it’s quite possible you’re looking at an issue with power.

First things first, check to make sure your gate’s breaker is turned on. Power surges or power outages can cause your gate’s breaker to turn off. If all seems well, take a look at your gate’s power supply. Your gate may be powered by electrical lines, solar panels, or batteries, each of which can have its own issues. Sometimes these issues may be easy to spot, like disconnected wires or broken solar panels. In other instances, they’ll be invisible to the naked eye.

If you’re an electrician, an electrical engineer, or some other type of electric pro, this is probably a repair you can handle on your own. If, however, you’re not, we highly recommend you call in a professional to take care of the issue at hand.

Obstructed/Damaged Gate Tracks

If you have an electric sliding gate, there may come a time when you notice that it’s not sliding smoothly or that it has difficulties at certain points along the track. Tracks can easily become obstructed by debris like stones, leaves, or twigs. Use a broom to clear out the tracks and this should take care of the problem.

Damage to gate tracks is also a possible culprit. Take a look at the track and the wheels to ensure that everything appears in order. If there is damage to any of these parts, call your local gate expert to get more information about what replacement parts and/or services you might need. Keep in mind, though, that regular maintenance will do wonders for keeping your gate track mechanisms in perfect working shape.

Bugs and Other Pests

These creatures can make their homes in sensors or control boxes, which can temporarily disable gate functions or permanently damage the gate’s components. Check these boxes and sensors regularly to ensure that no unwanted critters have started getting comfortable. In most instances, you should have no problem cleaning these areas out and getting rid of the pests. Please take appropriate, cautious measures if your gate’s control boxes or other areas are now home to potentially dangerous pests like hornets, spiders, etc.

Hold Open Control

Most electric gates have a Hold Open feature that, as the name implies, allows you to set the gate to remain open. Depending on how many people in your household/property know this code, it’s quite common for one individual to activate this feature unbeknownst to anyone. Double-check to ensure that the gate has not been set to Hold Open and if it has, deactivate the feature.

Keypad Malfunctions

There may be times when your keypad does not work as it should. You may notice that codes don’t always work or that some access codes function properly while others do not. If you’re consistently having problems with access codes not working, you may need to reset your codes. Sometimes, this can be easily accomplished by referring to the owner’s manual. But if that provides no help, you’ll need to contact your gate professional. If some access codes work and others don’t, it’s possible that someone else has inadvertently changed some of your settings. This, too, can usually be rectified with some help from the owner’s manual.

If you find that your access codes are not working reliably or that there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when they do/do not work, it’s time to call in a gate expert. There may be wiring issues or other electrical malfunctions that are preventing your keypad from performing properly.

Light Sensors

Light sensors play a pivotal role in many automatic gates. Most times, if you notice they aren’t responding as they should, you’ll just need to clean them off. They can easily get coated with dust or dirt, which prevents the sensors from detecting light.

Key Switch

In some instances, your control panel will have a key switch that allows for manual control of your gate. Check your key switch to make sure it’s in its regular operating position. (If the fire department, for example, has recently tested your gate, they may not have reset it.) You should also examine the key switch to ensure it’s not corroded. If it is corroded, a gate professional will need to replace it for you.

Gate Motors

Gate motors can be damaged by water, pests, and other items. Elements inside the motor, like transmitters and wires, can also malfunction. If you suspect a problem with your gate’s motor, contact your gate professional to have it looked at.

Other Gate Hardware Issues

If you notice that your electric gate is not swinging or sliding smoothly, there may be damage to other elements of your gate’s hardware. Check any gate swing arms, hinges, or chains to make sure they’re not loose, rusty, or dirty. There is potential for serious damage to your gate and your property if these issues aren’t addressed promptly.

Your options for repair depend on how damaged your gate hardware is. We recommend calling in a professional to inspect your gate and ascertain what is and is not salvageable.

Still Having Problems?

If you haven’t been able to pinpoint the reason behind your automatic gate’s problems, and you live in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Durbanville, Wellington, or Paarl, give us a call or fill in the contact form here and we will contact you.

 

Read our blog about tips for securing your home.

Read our blog about how an automatic gate increases your privacy and security in Stellenbosch

 

We specialise in all automatic gates and gate motor repairs in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Brackenfell, Wellington and Paarl.

We offer Automatic gates and Gate motor repairs in Stellenbosch. Read the below blog to see why it is an important choice to install an automatic gate or have your current gate motor repaired.

 

There are many reasons why clients choose to install automatic gates on a property or business premises. For some, it’s about the convenience that comes with being able to open and close gates with ease, often without having to physically access them or, in the case of driveways, leave the car. Others install automatic gates due to the professional image they can give to visitors. One of the main reasons, however, for both home and business use, is the added security automatic gates can bring.

 

While not enough on their own to create a fully protected property, automatic gates can be a useful addition to any security measures. Here, we go through some of the main privacy and security benefits that automatic gates can provide.

 

A Visible Deterrent

As mentioned above, simply having a gate is not necessarily enough to make a property, home or business feel entirely secure. However, they do offer an extra layer of security solely with their presence. Having a gated entrance to the property is proven to act as a deterrent to potential thieves and trespassers, making it a useful addition to already secure premises.

 

Another Barrier to Entry

One of the other ways automatic gate systems – and gates in general – help with security and privacy is by adding another entrance that has to be passed before reaching the property. Tying into the point above, this is just another deterrent to potential trespassers and highlights the advantage of gate entrances as opposed to buildings with no barrier before reaching the door.

 

Of course, this, like many of the points mentioned here, relies on a secure perimeter to complement the gate. However, if a boundary forces people to go through the gates before reaching the property, the automatic gate will help to provide that added security.

 

Protecting the Field of View

Another important point that goes hand-in-hand with security is privacy. Whether it’s for the home or business, you and your clients will want the property to feel private and secure in equal measure. An automated gate can help provide this, primarily by protecting the entrance floor from onlookers.

 

A solid perimeter and automatic gate, as opposed to a grated exterior (such as metal fencing), will stop people from the outside from being able to see the first-floor windows and inside the property. This feature is particularly popular with homeowners with driveways, as they can keep their vehicles out of view. It also allows young children to enjoy their time outside without parents having to worry about onlookers.

 

Secure Access Systems

Another way you can complement the security and privacy of an automated gate system is by utilizing an access system, such as a keypad or intercom. By complimenting an automatic gate with these systems, you can further enhance the image that it gives to potential visitors, giving the appearance of heightened property security. However, these systems also add another layer of genuine protection, by asking people to fulfill tasks – be it requesting access or knowing a combination – before they can access as intended. We offer a range of Automatic Gates and Gate motor Repairs in Stellenbosch.

Automatic Closing

This point is one of the key selling features for any automatic gate system, particularly from a security and privacy standpoint. An automated gate system makes opening and closing gates considerably easier when compared to manual gates. This ease of use means that throughout its lifetime, the gate will spend more time locked than it would if it was operated manually.

 

Often, this difference in time is minimal. However, by being closed for longer, the security provided by the gate and perimeter can be fully utilized. This point makes automatic gates a crucial part of any secure property exterior.

 

Why choose us?

We say that you should choose us as we have years of experience installing automatic gates and do gate motor repairs in Stellenbosch. We strive to provide not only quality but also professional services. By doing so we provide the best and most beautiful installations. This also results in excellent repair work for the Public and Businesses. We also do work for Estates, Townhouse complexes, Letting companies, and Developers. Palisade fencing goes hand in hand with automatic gates as it adds another level of security to your home or business in Stellenbosch.

 

You can also read our other Blog posts here

We also have a blog post with Out Surance’s top 10 tips to securing your home

 

We offer our services across the Winelands and surrounds such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Durbanville and Wellington

The Benefits of an Intercom System.

We offer intercom systems in Franschhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Wellington and Durbanville. We live in a fast-paced world that offers us modern amenities and technologies. Home Intercom systems for residential buildings are one of them.

First of all, let’s understand what is an intercom system? An intercom system is nothing but a two-way communication device. It incorporates circuitry for transmitting and receiving audio or video transmissions.

The use of intercom starts decreasing with the invention of cellular communication, digital telephone systems, and other communication devices. But there are still lots of application where intercom systems work better than anything else.

Here are some examples of intercom systems we offer:

Wireless commercial intercom systems

A wireless system is used in the applications where wires cannot run. Today there is a broad spectrum of two-way communication devices. Such devices incorporate handheld radios, outdoor wireless call boxes, and traditional desktop devices.

Wired intercom systems

A wired system is used where you can run wires in the location. Such a system can give you a little more privacy. This form of voice communications eliminates possible interference from neighboring systems.

Video intercom system

These smart home systems typically incorporate a camera, speaker, as well as a push button. The push button goes at the entrance door. It further leads to an internal watch unit that can communicate with the entrance unit. Such systems incorporate many video monitors internally.

Here are key benefits of an intercom system

Comfort

The wireless intercoms system gives you complete comfort since you do not have to get up every time to answer the door.

Advanced security

This system takes your home security to a whole new level. The system is a way that it connects the external front door unit with the internal in-house device. This way whenever someone presses the doorbell, you get an alert message. Through your screen, you can speak to the visitor.

This two-way communication system gives you the whole liberty to monitor the entrance of an unknown visitor. Furthermore, you can decide whether you want to let someone in or not. Therefore, an untoward incident or forced entry can be avoided.

Convenience

As the cherry on the cake, a home intercom system is all about convenience along with being one of the best security systems. This system allows you to speak to anyone around your house. This feature can be extremely beneficial on a lazy weekend. The feature comes to your rescue if you are living with a disability.

This modern-day technology adds a degree of connectivity for everyone alongside the security advantages. This system allows you to easily connect with your larger automation infrastructure for even further benefits.

Monitoring children’s activities

An effective intercom system is of great help to parents. It helps them to keep an eye on their young kids and children playing outside the building or compound. Parents can have a telephonic conversation with their kids through intercoms. But today the modern day doorbells come with CCTV cameras. They help in monitoring the activities of kids, girls, suspicious neighbors as well as passersby.

This video intercom system incorporates video functions so that you can get a real time view of what is going on in or outside your home. This feature is ideal for a newborn. You can now keep a check on your children when they are home alone after school. You can also keep an eye on your premises or simply see if you let the lights on.

This system can be connected to your mobile phone. This way you always know what is going on and you can also communicate with home automation systems.

Other benefits

If you choose power bank wireless intercoms you can save on cost and escape hassles of cable wirings. Furthermore, wireless intercom systems provide you a lot more convenient especially if you have a huge house or you need to move from one room to another.

Palisade fencing

Palisade fencing is all-steel, highly versatile, and provides good security thanks to its cut-resistance and climb-resistance. It comes in a variety of specifications and finishes.

 

Key Features

• High-security fencing
• Robust steel material
• Anti-tamper fixings
• Top rail & bottom rail ‘height from 1.8m to 3.6m
• Width from 1.2m to 10m

Applications

• Utility companies
• Airports
• Bus & railways
• Perimeter – Medium/High Security
• Retail
• Industrial Units

How does Load Shedding affect your gate Motor?

 

Let’s be honest, Eskom is failing and load shedding is here to stay. The load shedding is taking its toll on all of our electronic devices and equipment including your gate motor.

Most of our gate motors runs on a 12 volt system and is completely dependent on the backup battery to operate, the built in charger in most gate motors is designed to only top the battery power up after use and is to weak to deliver the required current to operate the motor on its own.

Lead acid gate motor batteries like your standard 7 amp hour battery is designed to with stand short power outages and allow you to operate your gate in emergency situations, it was not designed to go a full 2.5 hours of load shedding.

Therefore the lead acid batteries go into a deep discharge every time there is load shedding and when the battery recharges the bi metal plates corrodes a bit and damages the cells.

That is why at Cape winelands automation we decided  to use 8 AH deep cycle GEL batteries to replace the standard lead acid battery.

Not only can this battery take the punch of load shedding and the deep discharge and recharge, but it also offers 1 extra amp hour which simply means it will operate your Gate motor for longer than the standard lead acid battery when the power is down.

Additional measures that can be taken during load shedding.

1. Replace your current lead acid battery with a Gel battery

2. install a power save unit built by cape winelands automation that deactivates extarnal devices like intercom,loop detector, mag locks, to prolong battery life

3. Leave some of the lights on when you go out at night. If you can install a timer switch to switch lights off and on at set intervals, that’s even better.

4. For high traffic entrances with guards or low secuirity risk use our power fail system that automatically opens the gate during loadshedding and keep it open for the duration of the power failure (designed and built by cape winelands automation.)

5. Install a bigger battery system that will be able to manage high volume traffic.

 

If you are interested in replacing you lead acid battery with a GEL battery, or you need any other load shedding solution for your Gate motor Click  here.

What’s the best way to protect your home against burglaries with security?

Let’s be honest, even the best state-of-the-art alarm system is no match for hardened criminals. Even if you install security gates and burglar bars to all windows or outside doors, there’s no guarantee that you won’t fall victim to crime.

Be that as it may, every little bit helps: every security measure you implement makes it that little bit harder for criminals to get access to your home. For this reason alone, we really want to encourage you to do whatever it takes to secure your home.

Outsurance’s top 10 security tips.

1. Install a burglar alarm and make sure it’s activated every time you leave.

2. Install security lighting around your home (you may want to opt for motion-detectors).

3. Leave some of the lights on when you go out at night. If you can install a timer switch to switch lights off and on at set intervals, that’s even better.

4. Install good quality security gates to all outer doors and fence off your property and install good qaulity automatic gates for added protection.

5. Fit burglar bars over all opening windows.

6. Fit spacers, locks or bolts to all sliding doors to prevent thieves from lifting the door off its tracks.

7. Always lock all doors and windows when you leave your home and at night when you go to bed.

8. Make sure that all outside locks have a minimum of four lever locks or double cylinder security locks.

9. Do not leave a key on the inside of a door which has a glass panel or glass close to the door lock.

10. Don’t leave keys under doormats or under flower pots.

If you are looking for a trusted company to install qaulity security gates, get in touch with us here.

Burglar bars, alarms, gates, and beams there are many security options on the market all being sold as security ‘must-haves’.

When it comes to the first layer of security, perimeter security, having a motorised gate is the best option. Walls, palisade fencing and electric fencing are also all effective deterrents. Make sure you use a professional for the job,” said Gryn.

She added that beams also fall within the perimeter security. Beams attached to the house facing the driveway or other high-risk areas and can cover a 12 metre radius which means criminals need to get through the radius before they get to the house or can damage the beam.

Burglar bars on the outside of the window are the best option, although they may not be as aesthetically pleasing, they are more effective.

What’s important with external burglar bars is the quality of the bars and the area where they are anchored to the wall. Don’t go for cheap, thin bars and ensure a professional installs them so they can’t be screwed out of the anchoring walls.

Alarms

Alarm systems in the house are only effective when properly maintained, tested regularly and are activated.

“Too often when there has been a break in we find that either alarm systems aren’t functioning properly. It is important to test your alarms and make sure they are functioning properly.

“We believe an alarm system is a must-have because it’s the quickest way to get help but residents need to be smart about using their system optimally,” she said.

She recommends having electric fences and beams on different zones so they can be activated separately when residents are inside the house.

You want to stop criminals before they get to your house. For this reason, when considering security ‘must-haves’ remember you need a layered approach and invest in good quality products. They will generally last longer if maintained and provide better security.

Article Resource: Business Tech