In the world of automatic gate openers, a common new feature you’ll see is as a gate closes it slows down for the last few feet instead of banging shut. This reduces the banging noise as well as takes stress off the physical components of the gate and gate opener.

One problem with this feature is the lack of momentum as the gate closes reduces the amount of weight hitting the lock to below the weight needed for the gate to fully close and lock. Instead, the gate latches rest on top of each other without fully locking, leaving your gate unprotected against forced entry and wind.

What separates the Estate Swing lock from the rest of the competition is that it requires less than 1 pound of weight for the gate to lock. Other locks require approximately 5 pounds of weight, which is no longer generated from the momentum of the gate because of the slow down feature.

Another benefit of the Estate Swing lock is the unique pivot design reduces power consumption. The older model locks require 3 amps to pull the latch open because they pull back on a direct linear path. The Estate Swing lock requires less than 1 amp because it works on a swivel, making the pulling action much easier.

The reduction in power required for the lock means less strain is put on the system as a whole as power is distributed through the motor and control board. Since less power is then required from the system, you can reliably active and run the motor, power accessories, get a longer life span from battery systems, and will not stress the circuitry of the control board of the gate opener.

The best features of the new Estate Swing Lock, however, are that it is compatible with all of our gate opener models here at GateCrafters.com and it comes with a 2yr warranty!

	GateCrafters.com has the resources you need. How do you use your gate opener system once you get it? GateCrafters.com is the only retailer to give a real answer to this question. We have develop videos for installing many of our gate openers and products and write DIY focused manuals for most gate openers and have individual instructions for each accessory to be installed with each gate opener.

“The are multiple type of driveway gate locks available on the market today. The main two types of gate locks are solenoid locks and electromagnetic locks. Each type of gate lock has it advantages and disadvantages.

Before we discuss gate locks, I’d like to go over pin locks. These locks are made to lock your gate opener to the post or to your gate so that it helps prevent theft of your gate opener. These are simple devices that fit into the mounting locations on your gate opener, in place of the bolts that are provided in your gate opener kit.

Now let us talk about gate locking devices. The most popular type of gate locking device is the solenoid gate lock. All of these locks come with a control board and adequate an amount of wire needed to connect the gate lock to either the control board or to the master control board of your gate opener. These locks do not come with mounting hardware as each application will be unique to your gate.

We carry 3 brands of solenoid gate locks. The Estate Swing gate lock and Gate Crafters gate lock are essentially the same unit.

The GTO/PRO lock features a different type of locking tab when compared to the Estate Swing and Gate Crafters locks. The GTO/PRO locking tab has to slide back inside the unit, and this requires about 5 pounds of force to accomplish. One downside of this gate lock is that in heavy wind conditions the pin may become trapped behind the tab. Also if your gate opener has a soft stop feature, it needs to be disabled as there will not be enough force to latch the gate.

The Estate Swing and Gate Crafters lock feature a rolling type latch that takes minimal force to operate. The locking tab folds back into the unit and allow for easy locking and unlocking. In high wind conditions this lock will function the way it was intended, as the locking tab has a smooth back.

GTO/PRO also has a push to open/ open position gate lock. This is the exact same lock as the regular GTO/PRO gate lock, but it is made to either lock your gate in the open position or to be used as a push to open gate lock. To use this lock as a push to open gate lock, you will need to plan ahead with the installation however.

Gate Crafters also sells an electromagnetic gate lock. This gate lock is not compatible with solar gate opener because it is constantly drawing power. Also it the gate lock’s wire is cut, it will essentially turn this gate lock into a brick. This is due to the fact that this lock needs a constant source of electricity to function. This gate lock is ideal for high wind areas where you do not want to worry about your gate hanging up on your lock.

Please visit our FAQ page on our website for any additional questions regarding gate locks. If you do not see your question on our FAQ page please email me and I will quickly answer your question.

GateCrafters.com is your one stop shop for gates, gate openers, and gate accessories. We have technical support 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm, eastern time. Please give us a call, send us a email, or use the live chat on our website, so our experts can help you find the right accessories for your gate and gate opener.”

	GateCrafters.com has actual experience. We have a testing area, we have factory and internal training courses, we build gates and have our own gates that are automated, we attended all industry trade shows in multiple countries and are a member of the AFA, and we pay visits to our chosen manufacturers' factories. All these factors are what have lead to us having so many exclusive additions. When you see and actually use as many products as we have you tend to have many ideas for minor changes that have major impacts. We acted on these ideas and have utilized them to help thousands of customers automate their gates.

The solar panel is completely weatherproof and virtually indestructible. Estate Swing's non-glass solar panels feature a clear front covering and are mounted to an anodized aluminum frame. The heart of the solar panel is the collection of solar cells, which optimizes the amount of energy absorbed even in low light situations. Each cell transforms the sunlight into energy through a photovoltaic process (converting photons into electrons). Working as a cohesive unit these cells can generate electricity that will work with solar compatible gate opener systems. As a rule of thumb; heavier gates and/or more frequent cycles (a cycle is defined as one open and closure) the more solar wattage you’ll need. Review your gate opener manual for information on which panel would best suit your needs.

*Make and model may vary from picture above.

Optimum Orientation for Solar Panels: (Your Latitude x 0.9)+ 29 Degrees= # of degrees your panel should be angled towards true South from the horizontal position (laying flat pointing directly up)

	Gate Crafters has the resources you need. How do you use your gate opener system once you get it? Gate Crafters is the only retailer to give a real answer to this question. We have develop videos for installing many of our gate openers and products and write DIY focused manuals for most gate openers and have individual instructions for each accessory to be installed with each gate opener.

	Gate Crafters has actual experience. We have a testing area, we have factory and internal training courses, we build gates and have our own gates that are automated, we attended all industry trade shows in multiple countries and are a member of the AFA, and we pay visits to our chosen manufacturers' factories. All these factors are what have lead to us having so many exclusive additions. When you see and actually use as many products as we have you tend to have many ideas for minor changes that have major impacts. We acted on these ideas and have utilized them to help thousands of customers automate their gates.

The UltraIIDTEK™ vehicle loop detector is compatible with most gate operators. The UltraIIDTEK™ may be used in Center, Safety, and Exit loop positions. The UltraMETER™ display feature makes setup easy by displaying the optimum sensitivity setting required to detect a vehicle positioned on the loop. Ten sensitivity settings allow for fine adjustment of detection level. A PULSE/PRESENCE switch allows configuration of output relay for presence or one second pulse on entry operation. Four frequency settings provide flexibility in preventing crosstalk in multi-loop applications.

	GateCrafters.com is the DIY factor. GateCrafters.com further adds to most of our gate openers for easier DIY installation. We have developed exclusive components (example: easy adjustable mounting brackets), customized instructions, and offer a full spectrum of accessories to truly cover all aspects of the installation of your gate opener. In addition we have the largest staff of factory trained technicians in the US.

Accessory Features

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Frequency counter/reset switch 10 sensitivity settings Loop diagnostics CE Compliant Lightning and surge protection

	GateCrafters.com has the resources you need. How do you use your gate opener system once you get it? GateCrafters.com is the only retailer to give a real answer to this question. We have develop videos for installing many of our gate openers and products and write DIY focused manuals for most gate openers and have individual instructions for each accessory to be installed with each gate opener.

“We are always getting questions about how gate exit wands work and how they are different from exit loops.

Exit wands are what is know as a magnetometer which senses changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. An easy way to explain how exit wands work is to picture a boat traveling through the water. As the boat is traveling it is creating waves. As your car travels through the magnetic field of the Earth it creates similar waves, like the boat. The exit wand’s magnetometer picks up on these waves as you travel by the wand. One downside of exit wands is that they do loose sight of your vehicle when it is stopped.

Gate Crafters carries 5 different types of exit wands that work very similar to each other. The only difference between these wands are some of their features. The GTO/PRO wireless exit wand is wireless between the magnetometer and receiver. The Gate Crafters exit wand is manufactured by EMX and has been around for years. The GTO exit wand is recommend for use with other GTO openers and accessories. The Estate Swing exit wand does come with a range control board that allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the magnetometer. This feature allows you tune down the range of the exit wand, so that vehicles such as a lawn mower doesn’t set open your gate, but this isn’t a complete failsafe, as it will still operate the gate opener when something is nearby. The Estate Swing Deluxe Exit wand is the most different from the other exit wands. It is constructed out of copper and features a ground cable that attach to a grounding rod that helps protect this exit wand from lightning strikes. The other 4 exit wands do not have this feature and are susceptible to damage from lightning strikes. Also the Estate Swing Deluxe Exit Wand comes with a 5 year warranty, which is longer than any other exit wand we sell.

Exit loops differ from exit wands in that they are buried in the driveway in a loop and are wire to the gate opener. The way exit loops work is that they detect the presence of metal (your car) above the loop. It does not matter if your car is moving or not, the loop will detect the car. Besides being used to exit your property, exit loops are used for safety. When exit loops are used a safety device, they will prevent your gate from closing on your car, when it detect a car nearby to your gate. The exit loop is wired to a exit loop detector, which is then wired into your gate opener’s control board.

GateCrafters.com is a one stop shop for gate openers and gate accessories at a great price. Gate Crafters was started on the idea of providing gate opener and accessories along with great customer service to our valued customers. We have technical support available to you 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm, eastern time. Our experts are standing by to take your phone call, answer your email, or chat with you with our live chat on our website. We welcome any question you may have and can help you put together a complete package for you so your gate operates how you want it to. We look forward to hearing from you."

	GateCrafters.com has actual experience. We have a testing area, we have factory and internal training courses, we build gates and have our own gates that are automated, we attended all industry trade shows in multiple countries and are a member of the AFA, and we pay visits to our chosen manufacturers' factories. All these factors are what have lead to us having so many exclusive additions. When you see and actually use as many products as we have you tend to have many ideas for minor changes that have major impacts. We acted on these ideas and have utilized them to help thousands of customers automate their gates.