Gate Motor FAQ's
Everything You Need to Know About Our Gate Motors
How to reset/program your GEMINI gate motor and/or learn new limits.
Ensure gate is properly installed according to the instructions in the user manual. (Available Here)
INITIAL TESTING PROCEDURES AFTER INSTALLATION
- Disengage the manual override lever (Red lever on new motors) and move the gate to the halfway position. Re-engage the override lever. Ensure that the gearbox has re-engaged by moving the gate till a clicking sound is heard and the gate cannot be moved by hand anymore.
- Press the test/remote control button. The gate must move to the closed position at slow speed and stop. If necessary, adjust the stopper position on the rack to ensure gate fully close.
NOTE:
If the gate moves to the open position on the first activation, the electrical motor direction is incorrectly set and must be reversed. Refer to “Reversing the Electrical Motor Direction” in the respective manual for the correct procedure.
- The gate will remain in the closed position until activated .The gate will then move to the open position at slow speed and stop. If the stopper has been moved, disconnect the power (battery and charger). The motor will re-learn the stopper locations, and adjust stoppers accordingly.
- Perform an obstruction-sensing test. If necessary, refer to “Obstruction Sensitivity Adjustment” on Page 17 and adjust the obstruction sensitivity to ensure safe operation of the gate.
- Test the operation of the gate from inside the house by using the push button.
What remotes are compatible with my GEMINI motor?
On the new type battery backup operator with the red lever, only Gemini remotes (Code hopping) will work on the on-board receiver, unless an extra receiver is bought and connected separately then the remotes compatible with the extra receiver will also work.
For the older type Gemini Operators an external receiver is used. This is plugged in or wired to the PCB. The remotes you use will depend on the type of receiver connected to the PCB.
For example a sentry receiver would require a sentry remotes/transmitters.
The “status” light on my PC board (PCB) flashes 4 times and the motor does not turn when activated.
On the green Gemini PCB:
If the motor does not work with the battery connected and the red ‘engage’ lever properly closed.
Look at the “Status” light on the PCB if the “status” light flashes 4 times when trying to run the motor, it is a faulty reed switch.
To confirm the fault:
Press and hold the “Bypass” button on the PCB, then press the ‘test” button once. If the motor turns while holding the “bypass” button in and stops when releasing the “bypass” button, then it is definitely a faulty reed switch. Note: make sure motor is not on the Gate when doing this test seeing that it might cause damage to property if it is in the way of the gate.
The Gemini operator can be brought in for repairs at 406 Asetileen Street, Silvertonedale, Pretoria.
The Gate motor does not turn. (LED’s Checklist)
On the green Gemini PCB:
Check if the red LED’s are working:
- If the “STATUS” LED or the “CHARGER” LED is working But the motor does not turn, replace the 16A fuse on the PCB and Test again.
- If the red “CHARGER” LED is on and the 16A fuse is replaced, but the motor does not turn, it could be a faulty battery or PCB.
- If none of the red LED’s comes on, replace the 3A fuse on the PCB and Test again.
If the STATUS red LED flashes 4x refer to the “The status light on my PC board (PCB) flashes 4 times and the motor does not turn when activated” FAQ above.
You are welcome to contact us at DMI Engineering if you have any more questions.
The Gemini operator can be brought in for repairs at 406 Asetileen Street, Silvertonedale, Pretoria.
How to clear GEMINI gate motor remotes.
How to adjust your GEMINI gate motors obstruction sensitivity
How to repair your GEMINI Slider with a faulty Pickup.
Learning GEMINI remotes on a GEMINI gate motor
How to connect GEMINI IR Beams to your gate motor
How to connect your 12V GEMINI DC Slider to 220V Mains and Solar
Solar Conversion for your GEMINI motor
How to speed up your GEMINI sliding gate motor.
To enhance the speed of your sliding gate motor and upgrade it, you can follow these steps:
1. Begin by removing the circlip that holds the standard 16 Teeth pinion in place on the motor.
2. Once the circlip is removed, you can take out the pinion itself.
3. Replace the existing pinion with a 20Teeth pinion.
4. By making this simple modification, you will significantly increase the speed of your gate.
This upgrade will result in a noticeable improvement in the gate’s movement, allowing it to operate at a much faster pace than before.
How to Connect an External Receiver to Your GEMINI Slider
Why does my gate open but not close?
| There are several possible causes, but the most common issue is related to IR safety beams detecting an obstruction. If the beams are misaligned, dirty, or faulty, the motor may interpret this as an obstruction and prevent the gate from closing. To test this, temporarily disconnect the beam wires and check if the motor operates normally. If the issue persists, the control board (PCB) may be faulty. A common symptom of a faulty PCB is when the motor only operates in one direction (either opening or closing, but not both). In this case, the PCB may need to be repaired or replaced. In many cases, Gemini PC boards can be repaired, provided they are not older than 10 years and have not suffered physical or water damage. |
Why does my gate close but not open?
| This issue is often caused by incorrect motor direction settings or a problem with the IR safety beams. If the motor direction is set incorrectly, the system may interpret the gate as closing when it is actually opening. In this case, any signal from the IR beams can be seen as an obstruction, preventing normal operation. Faulty, misaligned, or obstructed IR beams can also cause the gate to stop or behave unpredictably. It is recommended to check that the beams are clean, properly aligned, and functioning correctly. Another possible cause is a faulty control board (PCB). A common symptom of a PCB fault is when the motor only operates in one direction. To confirm this, the PCB can be tested or replaced. In many cases, Gemini PC boards can be repaired, provided they are not older than 10 years and have not sustained physical or water damage. |
Why does my gate stop when closing and open again.
| This is usually caused by the motor detecting an obstruction. If there is any object in the path of the gate, remove it to allow normal operation. If no visible obstruction is present, disengage the motor and manually move the gate slowly along its full travel. This can help identify any tight spots, resistance, or mechanical issues such as worn wheels, misalignment, or debris in the track. If the gate moves freely and no mechanical faults are found, the obstruction sensitivity on the control board (PCB) may be set too high. In this case, the sensitivity can be adjusted to a lower setting. Please refer to the user manual for correct adjustment procedures. |
Why is my gate moving slowly?
| A slow-moving gate is most commonly caused by a low or faulty battery. To check this, use a multimeter to measure the battery voltage while the motor is operating. If the voltage drops significantly under load, the battery may need to be replaced. It is also important to identify why the battery may be depleted. Common causes include a blown charger fuse or a loss of mains power to the motor. Check that the power supply is active and that all fuses are intact. If power has been restored, allow the battery to charge overnight and test the system again. If the issue persists, replacing the battery is recommended. |
Why is my motor running but the gate is not moving?
| This typically indicates a gearbox-related issue. If you can hear the motor running but the gate does not move, the internal couplings or gears may be worn or stripped. In this case, the motor will need to be booked in for inspection and repair. Continuing to operate the motor may cause further internal damage, so it is recommended to have the unit assessed by a qualified technician as soon as possible. |
Why does my gate open by itself?
| A gate will not operate on its own without a trigger—there is always an underlying cause. The most common issue occurs during remote programming. If the programming process is done incorrectly, it may unintentionally learn additional remotes, including those from nearby properties. To resolve this, clear all programmed remotes from the motor and reprogram only the required remotes, following the correct Gemini programming procedure. Another possible cause is loose or faulty wiring connected to the receiver. Vibrations or movement can create intermittent signals, causing the gate to trigger unexpectedly. Check all receiver wiring to ensure secure and stable connections. If the issue continues, it is recommended to have the system inspected by a qualified technician. |
Why does my remote have a short range?
| The most common cause is a low or flat battery in the remote. Replacing the battery should always be the first step when experiencing remote issues. Another possible cause is interference affecting the antenna inside the motor. Ensure that the antenna wire is straight, properly positioned, and not wrapped around or too close to the motor or other electrical components, as this can reduce signal strength. If the problem persists, further inspection of the receiver or remote may be required. |
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