Electric fence

I must say, as per anything that comes into the market “new” , I am always a little hesitant to be the one to try it out on a client for fear of teething problems.

In this case, I regretted not using and installing the new Centurion D5 Evo motor much sooner!

The new D5 Evo has come out with the same well tried, tested and proven gearbox and chassis that has always been used on the original D5 and therefore the only changes to it are the electronics. The new electronics fitted on the Evo are an absolute dream for the installer and some of the added features are very well thought out and planned to assist the user. The new Evo controller features and new LCD screen that provides clear information on the gate status, what state it is in and information on the condition of the system. Very NICE!

The new controller also no longer requires add on remote systems (but you can if you want to) and the system itself will handle up to 125 remotes of the Nova code hopping remote system (highly recommended for enhanced security).

Another new feature programmed in the is the TAMPER system on the IR beams. These beams are normally there as a safety system for vehicles, children etc to stop the gate when the path is crossed. A MAJOR disadvantage of these beams is that the criminal element can use them against you by covering them up. This allows the gate to open, but then cannot be closed again by the user giving the criminal the opportunity to come in. The new Evo controller senses tampering on the IRB system and can sound an alarm (buzzer or external system) to warn of the tampering.

Another handy feature is that certain triggers can be programmed so that they only work at certain times of the day. An example would be to only allow the pedestrian access only to operate during day hours not evening hours further improving the security of access.

Motor speed is slightly faster than the original D5 and once again programmable in speed. Also the crawl distance (speed where it almost closed or open) is much shorter at around 10cm allowing the gate to complete open and closing totally much faster than the original.

Overall I must say the improvements are meaningful and not just “toys” or useless features and there is really nothing to find negative about the motor. Great job Centurion!

I must say with the large amount of repairs that come in, a larger degree of them are jobs on electric gates carried out as maintainence or service.

Probably one of the worst recently was a gate motor that had been “serviced” only 3 months prior and now the gate was not working at all. Unsuspecting, the owners expected a relatively minor fault.

The discovery, the gear box had not been filled to the correct level of oil and in fact, although i could not swear to it (without testing) it really looked as though the remaining oil that was in the unit was VERY old, certainly not 3 months. The actual dismal result, a totally trashed gearbox with repairs costs of around R1400. Ouch!! Especially when you had it serviced 3 months ago to hopefully eradicate issues like this.

Having seen so many of these types of disasters, I have actually come to the opinion “If it works, LEAVE IT!” That gear box fault was likely to be brought on by moving the unit, spilling some oil and then neglecting to re-fill. If the motor had remained untouched, it would be probably be going another 5 years without problems!

I am sure than many would have a different opinion (many enjoy charging the maintenance fee) however in many cases, lack of maintenance would have actually saved the customer money! The quality of service is just not what it should be really i guess??

When there is a noticable fault, leaking oil, smoke is a pretty good one etc, then absolutely, waste no time in getting out your team of choice to repair and attend to the faulty gate motor – until then, you might be better of waiting and just leaving it??

I would urge clients that have motors under abnormal stress/use or several years in use to get the motor and oil checked out if you have a wet gear box type gate motor, aside from that, there is very little to maintain in gate motors though! Be specific when calling out that you want the oil changed/checked. It seems a “normal” service is considered as a dusting off…. that’s it!