Our Basic Solar Gate Operator Setup | LiftMaster Gate Arm Repair

I walk through our basic solar gate operator setup while I replace a broken LiftMaster gate arm. See some of the equipment and procedures we use to do it right, set ourselves apart from the competition, and make sure we're UL 325 compliant.
Links from the video! (affiliate links)
Wago Wire Connectors amzn.to/3XT6C5W
DeWalt Insulated Screwdriver Set amzn.to/3ruSZxM

[@lowcountrysouthcarolinaradio]

Thanks for a great video! You inspired me to install my Liftmaster setup myself. I have had the gate and posts installed for about two years. Balanced perfectly. My wife is tired of the big chain and lock, especially when we have $1000+ of automatic gate parts sitting in the shop ready to install. Your contempt for installers that don't do things correctly hit the nail on the head. That is why I have waited so long to finish the install. After watching this video, started watching some of your other videos. You guys have a lot of great tips. Thanks for all of your time on the informative videos!

[@SWiFence]

Love this! Thank YOU!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@The_Gate_Girl]

Love the set-up! Looks great. I happen to know LM does offer an XL metal ebox for solar sites such as this. ;) The wire management on this install is beautiful. Get it. 2:18 Loops are not UL325 complaint. Loops protect property, not people. 3:35 Harmonic arm gate operator.

[@mikevalkanet4651]

Instead of throwing the trash in the air, I like to set it on the rear bumper of my truck and then it magically disappears by the time I get to the next job. haha

[@SWiFence]

That's... a method. 😂

[@rickyrick5554]

I love your videos. i wish i had seen them before i bought my Lift master LA 412. i would of bought the US automatic brand ( but that's another story) I have a dual swing Lift master gate opener. the batteries it came with SUCKS. Less than a month of installation i already had to replace the batteries. Can you send me a line diagram and pictures of the 30watt solar connection and two 33 amp hr. batteries like in the video. thanks, Rick

[@memptn01]

I know this is an older vid but I had a question or two for you. When you said you don't like using wireless keypads, is that because of the cold weather or another issue? And how did the reflective photo eye turn out? Any issues or call backs with it?

[@SWiFence]

My opinion of wireless keypads has evolved. I have been forced to use them due to their low power consumption and found that some of them work really well. USAutomatic have been good as well as Liftmaster. I still hate reflective photo eyes so when I don't want to run power to the far side of the gate we use US Automatic which offers a battery powered through beam.

[@sircampbell1249]

Do you have a Wyoming electrical license? No vent on can ?

[@johnsassano8728]

Swi fence help me out here! I am having a problem with my la 400 install, I am running a cell box and and exit wand… can I wire them both the the same exit lug or do I need to buy expansion board and wire them separately?

[@SWiFence]

I don't have enough information about the system. The vendor that sold you the products should offer you the support you need. Good luck!

[@MariJani1]

Hi , We have a UL325 and have had multiple issues with weak storage on cloudy weeks. what do you suggest? We are planning to go electric but hate the fact of loosing the solar portion. Thank you

[@SWiFence]

You need to do a thorough evaluation of everything in your system to see if there is a power hog. You either need more storage, or less draw. We very specifically recommend the systems we do because they're designed to sip power, allowing them to still have power at times when there may not be enough sun to charge for a while.

[@MariJani1]

@@SWiFence thank you. I will look more into it. I would possible end up going electric since the install is ready since I been having problems since last year and have all the electric in place. Thank for the advice,always welcome.

[@MariJani1]

Hi Quick question. If I changed my system from solar to electric does the system still need to have the batteries in place ? Sorry I’m kinda new to this. I had a gate company come and do the change but the gate only operated for a little while and the next morning it only opened and didn’t close. Thank you.

[@SWiFence]

There’s a good chance that it does. Nowadays, most of the operators are either 12 or 24 V DC and all the 120 V power supply is doing is keeping the batteries charged all the time. Since I don’t know the brand of this operator, I can’t say with certainty this is the case here.

[@bronwynclear3485]

Can anyone answer this? Do we need an earth grounding rod for a solar-powered Liftmaster LA412 gate opener?

[@SWiFence]

Yep, sure do.

[@kevinstanley3503]

I would like to know what lock latch was used?

[@SWiFence]

GL1

[@willtacoma2ndgen661]

Hi, where did you by the metal cabinet?

[@SWiFence]

Electrical supply store. I think its called a NEMA 3r cabinet.

[@willtacoma2ndgen661]

@@SWiFence Thank you.

[@shaunanderson6593]

What brand of panel box is this?

[@SWiFence]

This is a Nema Wall Mount enclosure. 👍🏻 bit.ly/2ZO6Bmw

[@darrinpotter1374]

whats up with the ghost opener in your truck

[@SWiFence]

This was so long ago that I can't say for sure but I think it was for the video we did on that opener: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2KXoWmOh9h8r9k

[@terryjones8360]

Awesome job! I wish you lived near me! I have an LA412. Everything works perfectly on it, except it won't charge the batteries. I bought new batteries, thinking that was the problem, but they last about 2 weeks and the gate quits working. I swap them out with two charged ones and they work for about two weeks. So I just bring two in and charge them and swap them out every 2 weeks when the gate stops working. The solar panel puts out just over 20 volts. I had a local company come out and they won't fix it, they want to install a new Maximum Control 2300 at a cost of $8400 and I need to run the electric to it. This is for my home. I open it once a day and close it once a day. Do you think it may just be a bad board or is there something else to check? The opener is 8 years old... I can swap out the board for around $250... or just keeping swapping the batteries every two weeks. Thanks in advance for any advice...

[@SWiFence]

Unfortunately it could be the board or something else. If you are the one who installed it i would recommend reaching out to liftmaster tech support and make sure to have a multi meter handy.

[@rickyrick5554]

I had mine install by a professional gate in stalker. I am having the same issue. How did you get it resolve.

[@terryjones8360]

@@rickyrick5554 I ran electric to the gate opener box and installed a 110V receptacle. I bought a $12 battery charger online. There's a place on the bottom of the board to wire in a battery charger, so I disconnected the solar panel and wired it in and the thing works flawlessly. I can make a short video and post it on KZbin if you'd like.

[@andrewc9790]

My OCD tells me to straighten those antennas every time I see one, but I've resisted the urges so far.

[@SWiFence]

It's hard, isn't it! 😁

[@noahdevine915]

Oh yeah that’s gonna get straightened lol

[@jonanderson9636]

Things that drive me crazy are fence installers who call themselves electricians, who use wego's and leave metal shavings in a panel. By the way, electricians have been drilling holes in panels for decades.

[@SWiFence]

Can I ask why you don't like wegos? Wire nuts are a terrible option. Good call on the shavings. I'll have to step up my game. So you are aware, while I'm not an "electrician" I am licensed for low voltage which required 4000 hrs and a comprehensive knowledge test. This is similar to that which a journeyman would have to take with the exception that it is limited low voltage. I've also seen gate operators installed by "electricians" that were laughable at best.

[@fieldtrailer]

How can a licensed contractor be allowed to omit the installation of a safety device? Seems like a liability for the owner and installer. Yet you put on the sign.

[@countryflyer4536]

While I understand some things that drive you crazy..There is always more ways than yours to do things and comparing your work ethics with some fly by night Wyoming crack head is pretty over the top... Your trying tooooo hard..You mention how terrible box store operators are like Ghost, but yet you have a brand new one in the back of your truck? The biggest reason that arm has shit the bed is your undersized gate hinge post is TOTALY undersized and every time the torque from the operator opens it tweeks that arm and those arms cant handle it. I also believe that the Liftmaster arm your using is not the LA 5000 but something smaller? On another note, Most of the time that one would need that much solar is because a lot of your accessories are drawing to many Milliamps. Maybe look for different suppliers that offer less draw!! One last thing, We were always taught to run Liquid Tight from EMT to panel to allow for movement and not crack your connections to your special panel. I have installed 100's of solar operators here in Colorado using 20 watt panel and one battery same size as yours...never had a call ! I believe you have to much draw!!!!! keep up the good work.. but people that try to hard make me nervous..

[@SWiFence]

We did screw up the draw but only with the keypad. Everything else is fine. The post is fine given the gate weight. The replacement arm has been functioning fine for over a year. On a side note, we have switched to USAutomatic for a great solar setup that is much more reliable with very low draw compared to other. It is our go to for simple solar gates like this. I still prefer a pad mount when the budget allows though.

[@lovecobs]

"gay operator installers" WTH are you talking about? DONE WATCHING YOU.

[@SWiFence]

Use your brain. "Gate." "Gate operator installers." Do you really think I was just throwing in a random comment about gay operator installers? 🤣😁😄😂

[@lovecobs]

I ask for clarification and you insult me. Have you ever heard about proofreading? Taught in middle school.

[@SWiFence]

😏 C'mon now... Who was the one typing in all caps? When you're yelling at someone don't be surprised when they get irritated.

[@lovecobs]

I accept your apology! 🤣

[@Jarebear92]

@@lovecobsaren’t you a snow flake 😅😂