If your gate system has an issue, it is possible that you can resolve it on your own. The charts below make Apollo gate opener troubleshooting easier as they explain what to do in case of the most common problems.
Apollo 1500 gate opener troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause/Solutions |
| Gate opens OK but after closing, opens back up. | 1. Excessive closing pressure on gate. Re-adjust the close limit switch on the actuator. 2. Automatic reverse sensitivity is set too sensitive. Re-adjust - CAUTION: Automatic reverse sensitivity should be set sensitive enough to avoid injury. 3. Gate is mechanically binding. Disconnect actuator from gate and eliminate binding. 4. Battery voltage is too low. Battery voltage should be 12 to 14 volts under load. Check solar panel output battery charger output or re-evaluate usage. 5. Replace circuit board. |
| Gate moves only a few feet, then stops or reverses. | 1. Battery voltage is too low. Battery voltage should be 12 to 14 volts under load. Check solar panel output battery charger output or reevaluate usage. 2. Gate is mechanically binding. Disconnect actuator from gate and eliminate binding. 3. Actuator extension tube is bent. Inspect for damage and replace extension tube if required. 4. Current sensitivity is adjusted too sensitive. Re-adjust current sensitivity. 5. Replace circuit board. |
| Gate surges too much. Does not run smooth. | 1. Pivot arm is not ridged. Re-weld and/or brace pivot arm. 2. Bolts are loose. Snug all bolts. Pivot arm bolt should be snug but not tight. 3. Gate is too limber. Reinforce gate. |
| Gate will open using push button on side of box, but not with transmitter. | 1. Code switches do not match. Check that the code switches in the transmitter and the receiver match. 2. Low or dead battery in transmitter. Replace battery. 3. Fuse blown on circuit board. Check fuses on gate control board. 4. Low battery in operator. Battery voltage should be 12 to 14 volts under load. 5. Replace receiver. |
| Transmitter works, but not very far. | Note: Transmission distances will vary according to terrain, obstructions, and electrical interference. The normal range from inside a vehicle is 50-100 feet while 100-150 feet may be obtained from outside the vehicle. 1. Low battery in transmitter. Replace battery. 2. Transmitter malfunctioning. Try a different transmitter. 3. Antenna not making good connection. Be sure center conductor of antenna is penetrating the female connector on the side of the gate box. 4. Reception is being blocked. Raise the height of the antenna using a #244 antenna extension kit. 5. Replace receiver. |
| Gate randomly opens, closes, or stops for no reason. | 1. Transmitter is stuck on. Check all transmitters, keypads, pushbuttons, etc. for a stuck button. 2. Transmitter and receiver code switches are all down, up, or in the middle. Change at least one switch position in the transmitter and receiver. 3. Push button on side of control box is defective. Disconnect and test. |
Apollo 7200ETL gate opener troubleshooting
| Problems | Cause/Solutions |
| Check your battery! | The battery in your gate operator is the power source for the entire system. If it is not adequately charged, the system will not operator properly. Test the battery by checking the voltage with a volt-meter while the battery is under load (gate operating). For AC charged systems unplug the battery charger before load testing battery. Battery voltage should be 11.5 volt DC or higher while the operator is running (battery under load). |
| Program Switch Settings: | At the upper center of the board there are 10 program switches. These switches enable and disable certain features of the Apollo system. DEFAULT setting of these switches is as follows: SINGLE GATE 1,2,3,5 ON (all others OFF) DUAL GATE 1,2,5 ON (all others OFF) |
| LED ENABLE BUTTON: | On the right side of the board half way down is the LED ENABLE button. Pressing this button once and releasing it “enables” the LEDs on the board for approximately 15 minutes. When the LEDs are enabled the “STOP” light should always be lit on the left side of the board. Other LEDs may be lit as well depending on the status of the operator. If the gate(s) are in the OPEN position, the OPEN limit indicator(s) should be lit. If the gate(s) are CLOSED, the CLOSED limit indicator(s) should be lit. (The OPEN and CLOSED LEDs should never be on at the same time) Any LEDs that are lit on the left side of the board or at the lower right corner of the board (except the STOP LED) indicate a TRIGGER from an accessory device connected at that location. Devices connected where an LED is lit should be removed before further testing is done. After the system is made operational these devices may be reconnected one at a time. Check for proper system operation after each connection. |
| Current Sensitivity: | At the top center of the board is the “Current Sensitivity” adjustment. It adjusts the amount of force the operator will exert before it senses an obstruction. As the wheel is turned counter clockwise, the operator will reverse more easily. As the wheel is turned clockwise, the operator will push harder. Any time the system “CURRENT SENSES” it will stop and reverse for two seconds. If the system “CURRENT SENSES” a second time before fully opening or closing it will again reverse for two seconds and then go into a HARD SHUTDOWN. Sensitivity should be set to a level that is sufficiently strong to open and close the gate in all conditions yet still sensitive enough to be safe. A good starting point is the one o’clock position. |
| Activating the system: | A momentary connection between activation inputs and ground (GND) is how the system is activated. At the upper left and bottom right of the board are terminals marked INP or INPUT. These terminals when momentarily shorted to ground (GND) will open, stop and close the gate with each activation. The button on the side of the box (swing gates ONLY) is connected to these terminals and may be used to activate the gate when the key is in the horizontal position. On our newest boards there is an “OPERATE” button at the upper left area of the board that may be used in the same manner. |
| HARD SHUTDOWN: | If the system has encountered an obstruction two times before fully opening or closing the HARD SHUTDOWN LED (upper right of board) will begin flashing indicating a Hard Shutdown situation. Check to see that any obstructions are removed from the gates path and then press the "HARD SHUTDOWN RESET" button to restart the system. |
| Left Hand / Right Hand Operation: | All APOLLO Slide Gates are shipped from the factory wired to close to the left (when looking out of the property). It is suggested to install and adjust the operator as it comes from the factory then re-wire the system if necessary. The easiest way to determine if your system requires re-wiring is to use the LED Enable button. Once the LEDs are enabled, the OPEN LIMIT light should come on in the open position and the CLOSED LIMIT light should come on when the gate is closed. Should these be backwards make the following changes: If the operator has a left/right input A/input B, move plug to other input. From the MASTER plug there are five wires going to a terminal strip... If operator does not have input A/input B board, reverse the RED with the BLACK and reverse the ORANGE with the WHITE. To verify that the wiring has been changed correctly: Manually move the gate to the mid-way position and plug the main harness into the EMERGENCY BYPASS receptacle the gate should OPEN. If it closes the RED and BLACK motor ires must be reversed. Once it is verified that the EMERGENCY BYPASS does open the gate then check the limit switch wiring. Dis-engage the mechanical release and open the gate fully verify the OPEN LIMIT led is on. Close the gate fully verify the CLOSED LIMIT led. If the limits are backwards reverse the ORANGE and WHITE limit wires. |
| Dual Gate Systems: | Test dual gate systems individually. Turn program switch #3 ON (disables SLAVE side of board) and test actuators one at a time using MASTER side of board only. Confirm proper operation of each actuator. If both test 100% then test together by connecting both actuators and turning program switch #3 to the OFF position. |
| EMERGENCY BYPASS: | At the bottom left of the board is the EMERGENCY BYPASS receptacle. Plugging the operator harness into this receptacle will OPEN the gate ONLY! It is intended to open the gate(s) should other methods fail. Note that if the motor draws more than 15 amps of current the fuse above the receptacle will blow. Also, the gate operator will not stop by its self at the open position. The plug must be removed to stop the gate. (This is also a handy way to test that the current consumption of the motor is within the normal limits) |
| FIRMWARE: | In the upper right area of the board there is a micro-processor that has a white label on it. This is the “FIRMWARE” of the system. Currently we are using firmware version V31.00.06. For troubleshooting versions of the firmware earlier than V31.00.00 consult your original instructions that were included with your system. Systems that are out of warranty may be upgraded to newer version firmware for a nominal fee. |
The Nice Apollo Gate Openers company was established in 1984. One of the leading US manufacturers of gate systems is based in San Antonio, Texas. Its product line includes swing gate operators, slide gate operators, barrier arm operators, as well as a variety of accessories. The company belongs to the DF Supply family.
Apollo 635 gate opener troubleshooting
| SYMPTOM(S) | POSSIBLE SOLUTION |
|---|---|
| Operator will not run / Power On / do anything | With charging device disconnected - check battery voltage (should be between 12-14VDC) If voltage measures OK, check the terminal block connection to the board Check terminal block wiring for loose or broken wires |
| Gate opens a short distance, then stops and reverses | Check the gate and actuator for binding or problems. If no binding is present adjust current sensitivity to increase strength |
| Gate opens but will not close | Check the input LEDs. Any open inputs ON will hold the gate open and indicates a possible problem with an accessory Check the secondary safety devices. Any activated safety devices will hold the gate open and indicates a problem with the safety device |
| Timer to close will not close gate | Check the limit LEDs. Open limit LED should be lit when gate is fully open Check the program switches. Switch #1 should be turned ON |
| Gate opens by itself | Check accessory inputs and clear or reset as necessary |