Gate opener not working

[glennm]

I have a gate at the end of my driveway with a door king keypad. It is 19 years old and has been perfect. The other day it quit and I haven’t found someone to service it yet. I figured it was likely simple so I looked at it. Two capacitors, both test fine, all fuses look good. Both the keypad and the chamberlain remote make a sound but the gate doesn’t move. There seems to be no power at the capacitors and I’m not sure if that is normal. The relays on the circuit board look good so I’m taking a long shot here and asking if anyone has any suggestions?

 

[dave*99]

Relays look good? Looks aren't everything. Do the relays close? Is there voltage at their input terminals? Output terminals?
Any voltage at the motor terminals?
Is there a safety beam or mechanism that would stop travel?
Is gate stuck open or closed?

 

[glennm]

The gate is not stuck and I believe the sensors are fine. I’m not sure if I can get at the relays to test them, they’re all on a circuit board and lots to remove to get at the back. Should there be voltage at the capacitors when idle? After a power interruption the gate will sometimes close and I can open it with the remote when that happens

 

[Innovate1]

If the capacitors are for the motor then they aren't going to have power unless the motors are moving or supposed to be moving. Really need more information. Is it battery or line powered? Pictures? Make and model? Is it totally dead now? Your first post said it quit but post 3 says you can open it after a power interruption - was that before it failed? How do you move the gate without the opener working - I am guessing there is some manual release? Can you hear the relays clicking or check if there is power to the coils?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

make and model on opener?

 

[glennm]

make and model on opener?

Hi. Thanks in advance. Here are photos. The controller is doorking 1812. Circuit board is 1871-010
The gate operator is Bryan System model 500A/500B

 

[dave*99]

Divide the problem into 3 blocks.
1) Radio controls
2) control board and keypad and safety sensors
3) motors

Measure voltage on the motor terminals - use the keypad to initiate closing or opening. Does the motor receive power? Does it move?

 

[glennm]

The control board and safety sensors are fine. I believe the motors are fine as well. Yesterday I turned off the power to remove and confirm the fuses. After the power came back on the gate closed (I think that may be a programmed feature). When the gate was closed it opened using the remote so that seems to rule out the motors and radio. I am guessing it might be the relay that closes the gate. There may be two relays for closing, one controlled be a power outage and another by the radio signal? I’m not sure how to locate and test that

 

[Innovate1]

Sounds like a relay may have deteriorating contacts and be intermittent since it seems to work sometimes and not others. Might try tapping lightly on the relays when it isn't working to see if that has any effect.

 

[dave*99]

Here is the manual for the control unit.
Page 9 mentions the gate closing on power up based upon the setting of DIP switch 6.
It seems this function works.

But when you initiate a close commend it does not close, correct?

https://www.enconelectronics.com/images/BYAN-G1277%20(G2M%20BOARD)_MANUAL-2020.pdf

 

[Innovate1]

But when you initiate a close commend it does not close, correct?

Good question. I looked back over this thread and it isn't at all clear exactly what works and what doesn't. The first post just says it "quit".

 

[glennm]

Thanks for the help. I guess "it quit" wasn’t accurate, it will not close from the opener command or the keypad. You can hear the click from the chamberlain unit but the gate will not close. Intermittent isn’t correct, it will close on its own after a power cycle. I believe this is a programmed function. When it is closed this way the remote or keypad will open it. Once opened it continues to be inoperable with the keypad or remote.

 

[dave*99]

So if I get this straight:

Unit closes via a power cycle and this works every time.
Unit opens via radio or keypad command to open and this works every time (after a power cycle closing).
So it's likely the motors work correctly

The failure is that the unit will not close on command. There is evidence the command is received at the control board but the unit still does not close.

Is this accurate?

What is the Chamberlain unit you mention? There are no part numbers or photos of it in your posts.
What safety system types are installed?
Photocells, beam break, car detection, etc?

 

[Innovate1]

Since the unit opens and closes (although it won't close on command) the issue isn't the safety sensors. The safety sensors would prevent those motions.

Really difficult to give any suggestions without a clear view of all the components. A sketch of the parts with the connections between them along with model/part numbers would be very helpful. Just boxes for the parts is fine - the main thing is how they are interconnected.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Just spitballing here...

Something is overriding the 'close' command, and it only occurs after an 'open' command is given.
On my controller, the 'open' state latches for an adjustable amount of time, during which time the gate will not accept a 'close' command. It sounds like something is keeping yours latched in the 'open' state. Assuming that by 'opener command' you mean a typical remote control or key fob, is it possible the button is sticking? Maybe take the batteries out of the remote to disable it to see if that changes anything?

Power cycling restores everything back to the 'zero' state, which un-latches everything and explains why the gate closes after power cycling.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not an expert, but some of the basics should apply to all gate controllers. I got fed up with the exorbitant costs from the gate maintenance folks (i.e. owning an automatic gate seems to signify unlimited wealth, thus outrageous charges for service), so I taught myself enough about automatic gates and their controllers to keep my gate up and running on my own. All of the information you need should be available online.

 

[dave*99]

Some systems have override functions to close a gate even when a safety sensor is tripped. Usually a user has to hold down a button for an override, but this system is 19 years old and safety functions were lesser then than now.

Since the gate closes on power up and that close command comes from an internal function the logic flow of that close function could (however unlikely), be different.

The install manual mentions having 2 safety sensor systems connected. Verifying they are all operating correctly is a valid activity. If the power up close function only checks one of two safety sensors then it is possible for the unit to close. Again unlikely, but possible.

More likely:
It seems at this point the close command from the keypad and radio reaches the Chamberlain unit.....does it then pass to the logic board? Can this be verified? How are they interconnected? Wiring diagram?

 

[dave*99]

It sounds like something is keeping yours latched in the 'open' state. Assuming that by 'opener command' you mean a typical remote control or key fob, is it possible the button is sticking? Maybe take the batteries out of the remote to disable it to see if that changes anything?

I had a similar situation. My son had a clicker in his backpack and a book was holding the button down. The door would not operate from other clicker buttons. Funny thing is I mentioned this on another opener diagnosis thread and it turned out to be the exact problem.

 

[Innovate1]

Some systems have override functions to close a gate even when a safety sensor is tripped. Usually a user has to hold down a button for an override, but this system is 19 years old and safety functions were lesser then than now.

Since the gate closes on power up and that close command comes from an internal function the logic flow of that close function could (however unlikely), be different.

The install manual mentions having 2 safety sensor systems connected. Verifying they are all operating correctly is a valid activity. If the power up close function only checks one of two safety sensors then it is possible for the unit to close. Again unlikely, but possible.

More likely:
It seems at this point the close command from the keypad and radio reaches the Chamberlain unit.....does it then pass to the logic board? Can this be verified? How are they interconnected? Wiring diagram?

The gate actuator has an override function by holding the open or close signal for several seconds about 2/3 down page 21.

The manual is here:
https://www.byan.com/_files/ugd/846a51_0def27d9c1584f058766f3b72189d8b4.pdf
Providing inputs directly to the opener board would help determine where the issue is. If it works ok by direct inputs it is in the control board. The open and close signals use different lines - it could be the opener board never gets a close signal.

Doorking manual:
https://www.doorking.com/sites/default/files/downloads/1812-065-M-3-07.pdf

 

[aztech]

Thanks for the help. I guess "it quit" wasn’t accurate, it will not close from the opener command or the keypad. You can hear the click from the chamberlain unit but the gate will not close. Intermittent isn’t correct, it will close on its own after a power cycle. I believe this is a programmed function. When it is closed this way the remote or keypad will open it. Once opened it continues to be inoperable with the keypad or remote.

I install these systems. Can you carefully move the cat5e so I doesn’t break and take a picture of the white termial blocks below the Byan circuit board? It sounds like a safety device for the people or car safe isn’t allowing the gate to close. On power up these inputs are disregarded depending on the type of safety device used.

 

[My Old Tools]

I service our Door King gate, similar to yours. I have replaced a main board once and the motor once. You probably have a bad main board, but I could be a motor. Kill the power and manually open it. Does it close when you turn it on? If it works in one direction only, one side of the reversible motor fried. If it doesn't work either direction try a new board. It has nothing to do with the keypad or remotes. The ground loop controller could hold it open as well. Door King will put a tech on the phone with you as well.

 

[My Old Tools]

The main board controls the motor, safety stops, and limits. The key pad, remotes, and ground loop control are all independent systems that trigger inputs on the main board.

 

[My Old Tools]

After reading your post again, I believe you lost the half of your motor that closes the gate. I had a similar problem where it struggled to close but opened fine. After talking with Door King I ordered a motor and swapped it out. No more problems.

 

[Innovate1]

I service our Door King gate, similar to yours. I have replaced a main board once and the motor once. You probably have a bad main board, but I could be a motor. Kill the power and manually open it. Does it close when you turn it on? If it works in one direction only, one side of the reversible motor fried. If it doesn't work either direction try a new board. It has nothing to do with the keypad or remotes. The ground loop controller could hold it open as well. Door King will put a tech on the phone with you as well.

Already answered. It closes if it is open when powered up. Nothing about it struggling to close so doubt it's the motor.

 

[My Old Tools]

Already answered. It closes if it is open when powered up. Nothing about it struggling to close so doubt it's the motor.

Says clearly in post 3, sometimes closes if open when power is restored. It opens with the remote ok. Sometimes closes is exactly what mine did and a new motor fixed it. I already had a new main board in stock and tried it. Door Kings are really simple once you figure out all of the components are independent. The keypad, remote receiver, and ground loop sensor don't even have to be Door king components as long as they output a signal to the main board inputs. Our reliability went up 500% after we ditched the phone line. It carried voltage spikes into the boards and fried them.

 

[Innovate1]

Says clearly in post 3, sometimes closes if open when power is restored. It opens with the remote ok. Sometimes closes is exactly what mine did and a new motor fixed it. I already had a new main board in stock and tried it. Door Kings are really simple once you figure out all of the components are independent. The keypad, remote receiver, and ground loop sensor don't even have to be Door king components as long as they output a signal to the main board inputs. Our reliability went up 500% after we ditched the phone line. It carried voltage spikes into the boards and fried them.

I missed that. Kind of surprising the motor somewhat works. If so it might be a bad motor cap.

 

[glennm]

I checked the caps with a meter and they both are in range. I closed the gate manually and it opens with the remote. Now when I turn the hex key hydraulic lock on the one side it goes deeper into the cylinder and it won’t stop the gate from manual open/close. Now when closed only one side will open . I will take a photo as requested above later today. Thanks again for the help

 

[glennm]

I install these systems. Can you carefully move the cat5e so I doesn’t break and take a picture of the white termial blocks below the Byan circuit board? It sounds like a safety device for the people or car safe isn’t allowing the gate to close. On power up these inputs are disregarded depending on the type of safety device used.

 

[My Old Tools]

Swing gate or slide gate? Does the motor run and the gate doesn't close or does the motor not run?

 

[glennm]

Swing gate. Nothing happens, just a click from the opener board

 

[My Old Tools]

Sounds like the relay is closing. My money is on the motor. Give Door King a call and ask to talk to a tech or engineer. Have your model number and serial number available. It's a small place and helpful.

 

[Brennanfelice559]

Main control board is bad