Driveway Gate Install *without* Door Sensor?
In addition to installing the Tailwind IQ3 2.1 units to my garage door controllers, I am also installing an additional IQ3 2.1 onto my Driveway Gate controller. Now, I am no expert on the electronic controls of my driveway gate controller (US Automatic / Patriot 500018
control board), and in fact I have no idea what I am talking about, so this really is just a question.
The Tailwind SmartFit Guide suggested the use of a Universal Door Sensor Kit for this driveway gate opener and so I have that already as well. In a swinging gate configuration, mounting the Door Sensor Kit in such a way that the sensor and magnet are in close proximity when closed and then far enough away when opened can be a bit tricky with my gate (I have mocked up and trialed multiple times and even purchased some additional brackets/risers/etc. to see if I can modify the installation to get it function accurately).
However, before I go drilling into my stone columns to mount this door sensor, I just wanted to ask one further question. Is there ANY possibility that my Patriot control board can relay the open/close status signal to the Tailwind device without using this separate door sensor? Is the closed state triggered in any manner via this control board that I could connect the IQ3 2.1 wiring directly to the board’s terminals, or elsewhere, that might also already be able to signal the proper status without the use of the additional external magnet door kit sensor? Just curious if anyone else has hacked around with this further for alternate solutions. Thanks.
-
Official comment
Hi Dave,
I don't see anything in the user manual for your gate opener, but you can certainly contact US Automatic for support. Let them know the model you have. What you want to ask them is if there are any terminals on the board that provide a closed circuit when the gate is closed, and an open circuit when the gate is open. Often this is referred to as a close limit switch. The gate stops moving when it reaches that limit. There may be 2 wires in the wiring harness that go to the gate arm / motor assembly that can be tapped for this.
If they give you any feedback please contact support@gotailwind.com with whatever details they provided to you and someone there (probably me) will help you try to determine if it's useful.Comment actions -
This is what I did. On the lift master extension board I set one of the auxiliary relays to output the close position. I connected the common and NC (normally closed) leads to the tailwind common and door sensor 1. Next, I connected the open, close, and common wires only. I my case the stop wire didn’t work correctly so I left it off.
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments