Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who Can I Get to Work on My Gate?

A: Look online or in your local Yellow Pages under "gates" or "fences".

Q: How Do I Program My USAutomatic Keypad or Add a Code?

A: See programming instructions for USAutomatic keypad - click here.

Q: I Would Like to Hold My Gate Open From Time to Time, Overriding the Auto-Close Timer. How Do I Do This?

A: Simply program your LCR receiver so that you can do this from your transmitter or wireless keypad. Instructions are in the Patriot owner’s manual under “Transmitter Right Button to Receiver Programming”.

Q: My Automobile Has a Built-In Transmitter That Is Supposed to Be Able to Open My Gate. How Do I Program It to the Gate Operator?

A: The answer is in the car owner’s manual. The first thing to determine is if the frequency at which the car transmitter operates is compatible with the frequency of the receiver located in your gate operator. USAutomatic LCR receiver operates at 433 MHz and programs to most late-model car systems. Contact the company responsible for the car transmitter for compatibility information.

Q: My Patriot Control Board Has a 5-Year Warranty. What Is Not Covered Under the Warranty?

A: Two items are currently not covered:

1. Lightning strikes/voltage surges that damage the control board
2. Battery acid damage that has destroyed the reliability of the control board circuitry. Maintenance-free batteries reduce the chance of this occurring.

Q: My Patriot Gate Operator Is Closing Slow; What Would Cause This?

A: Most likely this is a sign of a battery failing or not being charged. Perform a load test on the battery to determine which is occurring. Load tests can be performed at any battery shop or automotive store.

Q: Will the Sentry 300 Automatic Gate Opener Work With My Swing Gate?

A: The Sentry gate operator is designed to work on all types of gates that can swing freely. It supports ornamental iron and vinyl gates up to 12 ft and 400 lbs, chain link gates up to 16 ft and 300 lbs, as well as farm and ranch gates up to 20 ft and 250 lbs. Universal mounting hardware is included that works on any hinge post measuring 2 3/8" up to 6", either round or square!

Q: Can the Sentry Gate Opener Operate Off of Just Solar Energy?

A: You bet it can! The Sentry 300 is the first truly reliable solar gate operator available on the market. Thanks to its incredibly low energy usage, both the operator and our solar-friendly accessories can function perfectly off just one 5-watt solar panel.

Q: Can I Install the Sentry Gate Operator Myself?

A: Definitely! The Sentry 300 was designed to be the first high-quality solar-powered gate operator for the "Do It Yourself" installer. Every Sentry operator includes a full-color installation manual and an installation DVD to make the install as easy as possible. Thanks to the included universal mounting brackets, no welding is required whatsoever, and the Plug-N-Go design eliminates all complicated wiring. The average installation time for customers is under one hour!

Q: Is Everything Required to Install the Sentry 300 Included?

A: Yes! Every Sentry automatic gate opener we sell includes the necessary mounting hardware, AC charger, wiring harness, the actuator, detailed instructions, installation manual, and DVD, as well as two free 2-button transmitters. A standard 12 VDC battery is required for operation, which is not included.

Q: Do I Need Electricity at the Gate?

A: No! While the Sentry is powered by a standard 12 VDC battery (which is not included), it can easily be charged using our 5-watt solar panel kit (also included with most of our packages) which allows for a complete installation without needing any electricity at the gate. Due to its low energy use, and all of our accessories being either low energy or battery-powered, your entire installation can typically run off of one 5 watt solar panel.

Q: What Accessories Are Available for the Sentry Gate Opener?

A: We have a wide range of accessories available for use with the Sentry gate operator. We have things to make your gate safer to use such as photo eyes. There are convenience devices such as exit wands, push-to-open buttons, garage door receiver kits, transmitters, and more. If you're looking to make your gate more secure we also have available a few different keypads and an electronic gate lock. Every accessory we sell is solar-friendly and will not greatly affect the number of gate cycles per day of solar power.