Home > Products > Electronics & Electricity > Motors

Before you buy a gate opener, there are some things to keep in mind. The features that such a system is equipped with is going to determine whether or not that specific option is right for you. So, when you’re ready to scout the market for an electric gate opener, here is what you should look out for:
The size of the gate will determine what electric opener suits you best. Literally measuring the size of the gate will be of great help here because it will tell you the amount of power needed to operate the gate’s motor.
The gate opener type is something else to keep in mind. You can choose between an automatic swing gate opener (swinging the gates back and forth), an automatic sliding gate opener (basically it’s an automatic form of sliding doors that we all know about), and automatic dual gate openers (has a double operating system, suitable for small gates).
You might also be interested in how the gate opens. Automatic gates can be opened in a number of different ways, so you can choose if you want a sliding or a swing system.
Price is another important shopping consideration, as these opening systems can be really cheap or quite expensive. Make sure you establish a budget before shopping, or else you might spend a lot more money than initially intended.
A lot of homeowners are investing in automatic gates for maximum security and protection. But it goes without saying that an automatic gate can't function without its gate opener. Now the question is, should you install an automatic gate opener on your own? Or, is it best to rely on a professional? Before making a decision, here's an automatic gate opener installation guide that you can refer to.
Step One – Properly Install the Gate
Your gate first needs to be installed at the perfect level. If you have two gates, be sure to hang them evenly. You can use a spirit level gauge to check the gate’s level. Make sure your gate is centered. Of course, it also shouldn’t be too low or too high.
Step Two – Unbox the Automatic Gate Opener
If you’ve recently purchased the gate opener, unbox it and double-check that everything was included. There should be clamps, bolts, screws, a controller box, a remote, and a gate opener arm. If you purchased a gate opener that operates on solar power, you should also find a small solar panel and a battery box in the set.
Step Three – Connect and Test the Controller Box
Before installing your gate opener, it’s important to understand its functions. Begin by connecting the arm to the controller box. Then, connect the controller box to a power source. You can also test the arm to visualize how the gate opener actually works.
Step Four – Install the Gate Opener Arm
Now, it’s time to install the gate opener arm. The arm can function in two ways: “push to close,” or “pull to close.” Generally, it’s possible to install your gate opener in either way. First, fix one or two clamps on the gate posts. The clamps should be situated in the middle of the gate post. After that, you can install the gate opener arm.
The clamps on the gate post will hold the gate opener arm’s rear side, and the mouth of the gate opener arm will hold the gate. Install the gate opener carefully and make sure that both clamps and the mouth are tightly attached to the gate.
Step Five – Install and Power Up the Controller Box
The next step is to install the controller box. Use some screws to install the controller box on the gate post and connect it to the gate opener arm. If you have a battery box or a solar panel, you’ll need to install it on the gate post as well. Then, connect the solar panel and the battery box to the controller panel.
Some automatic gate openers support direct electricity or AC that allows you to connect the power source to the controller box. Now, you can run the entire system.
Step Six – Set Up the Controller Box
The controller box needs some final touches. Open the controller box and set the open/close limit. Feel free to set your automatic gate’s “open and close” timing. Your controller box may have more functions, so check them out, too.
Step Seven – Run the Automatic Gate Opener
Finally, your gate is ready. Just press the remote, and your gate will automatically open and close whenever you need it.