Wintertime means colder weather and less sunlight. For much of the nation, it also means lots of snow, ice, and inclement weather. These things can potentially impact your automatic gate system, but they don’t have to create problems for you.
By arming yourself with the facts and learning to take the best care of your automatic gate opener, you’ll enjoy smooth, seamless operation all winter.
Stay On Top of Snow Removal
When it snows, people are quick to shovel their driveways and sidewalks, but they often fail to think about their Ghost Control automatic gate opener. This should actually be at the top of your priority list. In addition to clearing snow from around the gate (remember - your gate is NOT a snowplow!), you should take a snow brush to clear snow from the gate and the photo-eye sensors if you have them. Never use salt or other de-icing products on your gate, automatic gate openers, or other components, as this can cause corrosion and significant damage. The prompt removal of snow is sufficient to prevent ice from accumulating and to ensure that everything will operate normally.
Keep Things Moving
When the temperatures dip below freezing, it’s a good idea to run your gate system a few times. This will warm up the motors and other components to ensure that your automatic gate opener works well when needed. Additionally, you should always take care to maintain your gate’s hinges to ensure that too much strain does not get placed on the Ghost control automatic gate opener, thus allowing it to work at peak capacity. Lubricate the hinges regularly and stick with lithium-based lubricants during cold weather to avoid problems with the lube becoming thick.
Keep Your Battery Charged
A fully charged battery is the key to a healthy, happy, automatic gate-opening system. Remember that in lower temperatures, the battery’s performance level may decrease. In other words, it’s more difficult for the battery to deliver the max current required for operating your system. If you use an AC transformer to charge your battery, you shouldn’t have any trouble (unless the battery grows old and no longer holds a full charge. In this case, it will need to be replaced. If you rely on solar power, you may face challenges during the winter if the panels become covered with snow or don’t receive enough sunlight. Always clear snow and debris away from your panels immediately and consider adding some extra panels to soak up more energy and keep your batteries powered. Also, reposition slightly if needed.
Possible corrosion on your battery (s).
Prolonged exposure to the elements and accidental exposure to de-icers can cause corrosion. If you notice the effects of corrosion, you should power off your system before removing and cleaning the ends of the battery cables and terminals. A simple wire brush and a mixture of water and baking soda can be used to clean areas impacted by corrosion. If that doesn’t help, have your battery tested to determine whether you need to buy a new battery.