Gate Starts to Open or Close but Stops and Reverses

When the gate begins to open or close but then stops and reverses after a couple of seconds, the operator detects excessive resistance and treats it as an entrapment situation. This typically means the sensitivity/force setting is too low for your gate, or there is an underlying mechanical issue causing excess drag.

Solution: Adjust Sensitivity Potentiometer

1. Remove the control box cover to access the Patriot control board
2. Locate the sensitivity adjustment potentiometer (see page 39 of manual linked below)
3. Turn the white center adjustment clockwise to increase force

Recommended Settings

A setting of 5 will operate most gates effectively. However, if your gate requires a setting above 8, this indicates a mechanical problem that needs to be corrected rather than simply increasing the force.

Possible Mechanical Causes

• Inadequate or worn hinges causing binding
• Gate touching or dragging on the ground
• Gate is not level
• Actuator arm connected to the gate is bent or misaligned

Important: Identify and correct the underlying mechanical problem rather than simply maxing out the force setting. Excessive force can damage the operator or create a safety hazard.