Need help finding a replacement actuator.

[Viriiguy]

Hey gang, last summer the mowers drove into my gate and killed an actuator. I have spent the year trying to find a replacement with no luck. The original company was bought and then sold again to sears. Sears tells me to get wrecked and buy a new system.

I tried my local gate installers. They told me the same thing. I have googled my heart out and can’t find anything. I mean surely there is something I can replace this actuator with?? It’s not anything fancy that I can tell. However, I know almost nothing about them. Can someone point me in the right direction? I’d love to have my security gate back.

 

[ishiboo]

IMO, I think it's time to replace the opener. That's not just a linear actuator but appears to be somewhat customized for gate-opening purposes... replacing it is not going to be as easy as you think. And finding what's probably a $250-300 part even if you did for a nearly 20 year old opener, when you can replace it with new for not much more, is probably a better option.

It's been a year. Cut your losses and replace it with a new one.

 

[Trey T]

the nameplate appears to state that the actuator is operated on 230vac and also 24vac. Actuators that I've seen operate on either 12vdc or 24vdc (i.e. Liftmaster linear actuators) actuator w/ a control box.

What you have is appear to be all-in-one unit which is different than today's technology that's modular.

 

[cvairwerks]

AccessMaster is part of LiftMaster... The LA500PKGU looks to be close in size.

 

[Viriiguy]

These are certainly not the answers I want To replace the system is a substantial cost, as this while is an older system, it is a very complete system. It includes the magnetic sensors under my asphalt drive way in two locations.. Plus the keypad, remote and intercom system. ALL of which, I keep being told, is NOT compatible with any modern systems. So it would all have to be replaced. So $3-$4k in total.

I'd much rather purchase new actuators.

I have not disassembled the actuator, but I know it to be the fault. I can swap the other actuator to the left side and it works. I can hear the broken actuator running, but not moving.

I'll have to consider drilling out the rivets to get it apart and look into it.

LiftMaster, (Sears) Told me that the LA500PKGU will not work with my system. If I want to use it, I have to replace everything again. Which sure, Bluetooth recognition would be nice.... But not at the crazy cost that comes with. Since every installer seems hell bent on tearing up my fecking driveway, or installing optical sensors along the driveway, which WILL get destroyed by the mowers.

 

[Bob P1]

I would try McMaster CARR.

 

[cdestuck]

Open that sucker up and see what part is causing the malfunction. A good chance a machine shop can reproduce it.

 

[bwringer]

Open that sucker up and see what part is causing the malfunction.

Yep. Whaddya afraid of? You're gonna break it? Get in there!

 

[firebirdparts]

You have two ways out of this:
1. Fix the old actuator
2. Figure out how the whole system works so you can make it work.

Either of these options will be big fun. I am not sure how easy it is to reverse engineer the controls on it. Figuring out what is busted I am sure will turn out to be possible.