How a swing gate opener moves the gate
A swing gate opener is an arm that pushes the leaf open and pulls it closed on its hinges. CENTSYS describes its V-Series SMART motors as piston-driven, in-line operators, made with a 400mm stroke (V400) or a 500mm stroke (V500).
For a pair of gates, CENTSYS sells a double kit with two operators, one per leaf, alongside its single kit with one. Merlin's swing range includes the Swing L300, Swing A200 and Swing LR 500, and ATA sells swing gate openers as well.
Room to swing
Merlin's point about swing gates is that they need a clear arc of space to open into. Picture each leaf's full sweep: a car parked close to the gate, a wheelie bin, a garden bed or a driveway that rises toward the house can all get in the way.
A rising driveway is the one to check closely, because the bottom of each leaf has to clear the ground through the whole swing. If it can't, the door specialist may suggest rehanging the gate or a sliding gate motor instead.
Size, weight and power
Swing motors are matched to the size and weight of each leaf, and makers publish those limits for only some models. Ask which model the door specialist would fit and what leaf size and weight it is rated for, then compare that with your gate.
For power, CENTSYS says its V-Series runs on a 7.2Ah battery that carries it through a power outage, and that it can run off a solar supply. That suits a gate where mains power is a long way off.
Mains power is for a licensed electrician
Where the motor needs mains, the cable to the gate and any new outlet or circuit is electrical work. Every state and territory sets its own electrical safety laws, and all of them require the correct licence for electrical work, so a licensed electrician handles that part while the door specialist fits the motor.
Keep clear of the swing
A swinging leaf can pin someone against a wall or a post at the end of its travel. CENTSYS says its V-Series motors use electronic collision sensing, and ATA sells safety beams to add to its gate openers. Even so, keep children off the gate and away from the hinge side, and never let anyone ride on a moving leaf.
Good to mention when you tell us the job
- One leaf or two, and roughly how wide each one is
- What the gate is made of, and whether it sags or binds on its hinges
- Whether the driveway is level or rises inside the gate
- Whether mains power reaches the gate already
- How you want to open it: remotes, keypad or phone
What you can do, and what to leave
You can
- Keep the arc clear of bins, pots and parked cars
- Tell everyone at home where the gate stops when open
- Keep the remotes somewhere children can't reach
Leave to a door specialist
- Mounting the arms and setting each leaf's stopping points
- Rehanging a gate that sags or binds
- Any new power, done by a licensed electrician
What we would do
Swing each leaf open to where you'd want it to stop, and look at what's there. If a leaf would touch a wall, a meter box or a parked car, tell the door specialist, because the motor's stopping points are set to suit the spot.