GATEKEEPERS, INC.

Wholesale suppliers of Access Control Systems And Gate Operators

Apollo 1500/1600 Swing Gate Operator
Installation Instructions
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Installation

Limit Switch Adjustment

Programming Control Board

Push to Open Instructions

1600 Addendum

400 Upgrade Kit Addendum

Troubleshooting Guide

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INSTALLATION

 
   
Site Preparation
The gate must swing level and not have any significant binding when opening or closing. When the gate is in the closed position, it is recommended that a positive stop exist to prevent the gate from closing beyond the desired close position. A stop tab welded at the top and bottom of the stop post is ideal for a positive stop.

Step 1 - Installation of Pivot Arm
Note: All Apollo Gate Operators are universal in design and can adapt to gates that are hinged right or left handed. If a 400 Upgrade Kit is to be installed, see 400 Upgrade Kit Addendum for pivot location.

1.1 Locate the 2" x 2" x 19" pivot arm. A carpenter's square or tape measure and level is required for installation.

1.2 Determine the vertical height that the actuator will be attached to the gate. Although a horizontal center bar is normally the ideal location for attachment, the top or bottom of the gate may be preferred. The actuator may be mounted upside down if required. Using a level, align a straight edge with the center of the vertical mounting height and mark this height on the hinge post. The top surface of the pivot arm should be aligned with the lower mark when welding.

Note: Standard installation is Pull to Open. See Push to Open instructions otherwise.

With the gate in a closed position, determine the pivot point using a carpenter's square or tape measure. The pivot point is 13" perpendicular to the gate out from the center of the hinge and 6" parallel to the gate in the opposite direction of the gate.
 
    1.3 Cut and weld pivot arm so the ½" hole is aligned with the pivot point. If the hinge post is round, the end of the pivot arm to be welded should be saddled to assure a good weld. A gusset is recommended to increase the rigidity of the pivot arm.

Step 2 - Actuator Installation
Align the ½" hole on the rear clevis of the actuator with the ½" hold on the top side of the pivot arm. Connect the actuator to the pivot arm using a ½" x 4" bolt, ½" washer (washer should be on top of the actuator mounting bracket) and ½" lock nut. The joint should be tight enough to give movement significant stiffness.

Connect the front clevis (extension tube end) of the actuator to the gate attach bracket using a ½" x 3" bolt and ½" lock nut.

Step 3 - Control Box and Solar Panel Installation
3.1 Locate the control box and determine the mounting location. Mount the box close enough to the actuator to allow connection of the 8' actuator cable. Mounting holes are not provided since mounting surfaces will vary from gate to gate. Avoid getting drill shavings on the electronic circuit board. Run the actuator cable through the bottom of the control box and connect the white connector into the white connector on the circuit board labeled MASTER. Do not plug into the EMERGENCY BYPASS connector. It is important that the connector locks into place to assure proper connection.
3.2 Locate the solar panel and its mounting bracket. Attach the solar panel to the mounting bracket using the two 1¼" nuts located on the bolts in the solar panel frame. The panel should be mounted within 10' of the control box, due south at a 45º angle and not be obscured for maximum performance. Run the cable through the bottom of the control box.

Note: You may add up to 150' of 207 Extension Cable to find a suitable location for the solar panel.
 
   

Step 4 - Test & Adjustments
4.1 Install battery and connect the black wire from the solar panel and the black wire from the actuator cable to the negative terminal of the battery. Connect the red wire from the solar panel and the red wire from the actuator to the positive terminal of the battery. Warning: Do not let the actuator shaft rotate as it extends. Do not insert tools or fingers in the hold at the end of the extension tube. Push the button on the side of the control box to extend the actuator.

4.2 Once the actuator has fully extended, unplug the actuator from the circuit board. With the gate in the closed position, push the actuator against the gate and mark the location where the gate bracket is to be attached to the gate. Temporarily attach the gate bracket with a C clamp or tack weld.

4.3 Reconnect the actuator to the circuit board. Press the black button on the side of the control box and observe operation. The gate will open about 100 degrees, pause for about 20 seconds, then close. If no major adjustments are necessary, disconnect the actuator from the circuit board and permanently secure the gate bracket to the gate using the provided hardware or by welding. Connect the actuator extension to the gate bracket using a ½" x 3" bolt and ½" lock nut. Reconnect the actuator to the circuit board. The gate operator is now ready for final adjustment.

4.4: Limit Switch Adjustment The actuator limit switches are factory set for a stroke of 22". These limits may be readjusted to set the open and close position of the gate. The adjustment ports are located in the back of the actuator above the rear clevis. All limit adjustments are made using a standard size screwdriver.

Extend Adjustment: On a standard installation, the extend adjustment determines the closed position of the gate. If there is too much closing pressure, the automatic reverse sensitivity will open the gate 1-2 seconds after it closes.

Retract Adjustment: On a standard installation, the retract adjustment determines the open position of the gate. If the retract adjustment is turned too far, the extension tube will retract to its physical limit and stop. If this condition exists, the close timer will not operate until the retract limit is readjusted.

Step 5 - Programming the Control Board
5.1 Control Switch Settings The control board is factory pre-programmed as follows:

Switch 1 ON Automatic timer to close is activated
Switch 2 OFF Two second delay until current sense activated
Switch 3 ON Timer to close will activate only from open limit
Switch 4 OFF Allows master side of gate to operate
Switch 5 OFF Allows slave side of gate to operate
Switch 6 OFF Maximum run timer option (not used)
Switch 7 ON Maximum run timer option (not used)
Switch 8 ON Close timer value (off cuts close time in half)
Switch 9 OFF For open, stop and close switch unit
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5.2 Automatic Reverse Sensitivity The Automatic Reverse Sensitivity adjustment is set at midpoint. Warning: The Automatic Reverse Sensitivity adjustment should be set sensitive enough to prevent serious injury during the operation of the gate. See Control Board Layout for location of the adjustment.

Timer to Close The timer to close may be adjusted from 10 to 70 seconds. Control switch 8 doubles the close time when in the ON position. See Control Board Layout for location of the adjustment.
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PROGRAMMING THE CONTROL BOARD

 
   


Program Switches
The program switches are the nine switches located at the top right of the control board.
Note: The standard factory settings are in italic lettering.

Switch 1 - Turns Timer to Close On/Off
On - Timer to Close Enabled
Off - Timer to Close Disabled

Switch 2 - Current Sensitivity Option - Delay from Start until Current Sense Enabled
On - 4 Second Delay
Off - 2 Second Delay

Switch 3 - Timer to Close Option
On - Timer to Close works only when open limit switch is activated
Off - Timer to Close works from any point where the gate is stopped during opening

Switch 4 - Slave Enable/Disable
On - Disables slave side of control board
Off - Enables slave side of control board

Switch 5 - Master Enable/Disable
On - Disables master side of control board
Off - Enables master side of control board

Switch 6 - Maximum Run Timer Option
On - Reverses gate if timer is out before closing
Off - Stops gate if timer is out before closing

Switch 7 - Maximum Run Timer Value
On - 10 to 30 seconds (adjustable)
Off - 5 to 15 seconds (adjustable)

Switch 8 - Timer to Close Value
On - 20 to 70 seconds (adjustable)
Off - 10 to 35 seconds (adjustable)

Switch 9 - Open-Close-Stop Switch Enable/Disable
On - Enables OCS switch
Off - Disables OCS switch

Note: The timer ranges may vary from board to board.


Control Board Connections

8 Pin Connectors  
#1 Open Limit Input
#2 Close Limit Input
#3 Motor (Positive during open mode, negative during close mode)
#4 Motor (Negative during open mode, positive during open mode)
#5 Ground
#6 Ground
#7 Ground (Battery negative)
#8 Battery 12VDC
   
7 Pin Connectors  
#1 Edge 1 Input
#2 Edge 2 Input
#3 Ground
#4 Ground
#5 Stop Input (Use only with OCS control, N/C)
#6 Close Input (Use only with OCS control, N/O)
#7 Open Input (Use only with OCS control, N/O)
#8 Ground
#9 Ground
#10 Free Exit Input
#11 Ground
#12 Under Gate Loop Input
#13 Ground
#14 Safety Loop Input
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There are an additional three connectors for ground, input and 12V, all fused for two amps max. The emergency bypass connector is for use in situations when the control board is completely dead.

Control Board Layout
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PUSH TO OPEN INSTRUCTIONS

 
   
A different pivot point and some wiring changes will be necessary for push to open installations. Note that the pivot arm and actuator will protrude into the driveway about 10" when the gate is in the open position.

With the gate in the closed position, determine the pivot point using a carpenter's square or tape measure. The pivot point is 6" out from the gate hinge (perpendicular to the gate in the closed position) and 11" parallel to the gate.

Remove 6" of cable sleeve from the connector end of the actuator cable. Cut and reconnect the white/orange and red/black wires as shown.

Push to Open
PUSH TO OPEN: TOP, LOCATION OF PIVOT POINT FOR PUSH TO OPEN INSTALLATION; BOTTOM, RE-WIRING DIAGRAM FOR PUSH TO OPEN INSTALLATION
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1600 DUAL GATE OPERATOR ADDENDUM

 
   
Apollo Dual Gate Operators basically install the same as the Apollo Single Gate Operator with the exception of the following.

1. An additional five watt solar panel and mounting bracket is provided to increase the charging capacity to ten watts.

2. A 38 foot actuator cable is installed on the slave actuator to be mounted on the opposite side of the control box.


Installation
1. Install the master actuator following the instructions above.

2. Mount the slave actuator and hardware.

3. Cut the slave actuator cable about one foot from the white connector. Run the remaining cable across the drive through PVC conduit and up through the control box. Cut off any excess cable and reconnect the short piece with the connector using the supplied wire nuts and plug into the slave connector on the control board.


Solar Panel Installation
The solar panels may be mounted next to each other or may be mounted separately as each panel has its own mounting bracket, cable and battery ring terminal connectors. Both panels should face due south in the northern hemisphere and be unobstructed from shadows, trees and structures.


Final Adjustment
As you open and close the gates, you will notice that the slave side moves about 2-3 seconds slower than the master. By welding stop tabs on the top and bottom of the master side, the two gates may now be adjusted so the slave gate will close against the stop tabs of the master gate and create enough tension to prevent the gates from moving back and forth.
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400 UPGRADE KIT ADDENDUM

 
   
WARNING: Disconnect battery power before proceeding.

Step 1
Establish pivot point as follows:

400 Upgrade Pivot Point

Locate the short arm and position so that the two ears are pointed into the gate. Mount the end closest to the ears on the pivot arm using a ½" x 4 ½" bolt and ½" lock nut. Do not use any washers. The joint should be tight enough to give movement significant stiffness.

Step 2
Locate the long arm and position so the two perpendicular ears are pointed into the gate and the end with the extended ears align with the end of the short arm. Connect the long arm to the short arm using a ½" x 3" bolt and ½" lock nut. Again, the joint should be tight enough to give movement significant stiffness.

Step 3
Mount the actuator between the two sets of ears using ½" x 3" bolts. Continue with
step three on the normal installation.
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TROUBLESHOOTING

 
   
SYMPTOM: Gate opens fine but after closing, opens back up.

1. Automatic reverse sensitivity is set too sensitive. Readjust. CAUTION: Automatic reverse sensitivity should be set sensitive enough to avoid injury.

2. Too much closing pressure on gate. Readjust actuator.

3. Gate is in a bind when closing. Readjust gate.

4. Check that battery voltage is over 12.5 VDC when closing gate.

5. Replace gate control board.
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SYMPTOM: Gate doesn't move at all.

1. Check battery voltage (should read 12.5 VDC or higher).

2. Be sure actuator connector is securely seated in the gate control board.

3. Check for damaged actuator cable.

4. Replace gate control board.

5. Plug the actuator cable into the
EMERGENCY BYPASS connector on the control board. Unplug connector before gate goes open too far to avoid blowing the fuse.
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SYMPTOM: Gate moves only a few feet, then stops.

1. Check battery voltage (should read 12.5 VDC or higher).

2. Check for gate binding or obstruction.

3. Check for bent actuator screw.

4. Replace gate control board.
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SYMPTOM: Gate surges too much when moving.

1. Check for movement in pivot arm when gate is moving. Pivot arm should be rigid for proper operation.

2. Check for loose bolts.

3. Gate is too limber. Stiffen gate with angle iron or square tubing.
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SYMPTOM: Gate randomly opens, closes and stops for no reason.

1. Check all transmitters and wireless keypads for a stuck push button.

2. Disconnect all other devices to see if the problem goes away.

3. Disconnect push button from control board (possible bad push button).
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GATEKEEPERS, INC.
Sales Toll Free: (800) 378-GATE (4283)
Office:  (423) 332-5808
Fax:  (423) 332-5840
E-mail:GATEKEEPERS, INC.