Any Centurion gate motor experts?

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neoprema

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I have a strange problem with my gate. Its running a Centurion D5 Evo.

It was fine for a 2 years ,but now when opening it runs right to the furthest point and stops just 1cm before the physical end-stop then 2 seconds later it rolls the gate forward about 10cm and stops - this causes it to stick out a bit past the wall a bit which it didn't do before. It then closes fine.

but it never did this before, it used to just open normally and stopped when it was fully open and didn't move again until its closing.

I've checked the screen, its not complaining about anything it thinks its fine. So, I re-ran the setup wizard again so it re-learns its end-stops. The problem then went away for about 4 days, and then it started doing it again.
 
neoprema said:
I have a strange problem with my gate. Its running a Centurion D5 Evo.

It was fine for a 2 years ,but now when opening it runs right to the furthest point and stops just 1cm before the physical end-stop then 2 seconds later it rolls the gate forward about 10cm and stops - this causes it to stick out a bit past the wall a bit which it didn't do before. It then closes fine.

but it never did this before, it used to just open normally and stopped when it was fully open and didn't move again until its closing.

I've checked the screen, its not complaining about anything it thinks its fine. So, I re-ran the setup wizard again so it re-learns its end-stops. The problem then went away for about 4 days, and then it started doing it again.
Click to expand...

When last did you replace the battery?
 
There is something small obstructing the path on the rail near the end. Our rail is on top of a "sand pit". Every once in a while the gardener pulls weeds out from the said sand pit and dirt gets on the rail and fails to open all the way then closes a bit.

If the rail is clean and still does the same thing, maybe your gate wheels need to be replaced, they could be putting too much drag on the motor during the slow speeds.
 
Centurion motors use an optical sensor (doss) to measure the gate position. Some early models had a problem with a leaking gearbox, which blocked the toothed wheel of the sensor, leading to problems similar to what you describe. If you are a DIY type, try examining the sensor for dirt or contamination.

Also check that the rack is rigid and correctly aligned, as skipping a tooth can cause similar behaviour (as noted above). Our installer used self-tapping screws, which were not very secure.

Edit: The user guide stresses all of these points:
10. Check Digital Origin Seeking System (DOSS) and sensor connections. The DOSS is an opto-electronic system that counts pulses in order to determine the position of the gate and the distance that it needs to travel to its respective Endstops.
11. Push the gate open and closed manually and check that the gate is running freely and that there are no tight spots in the movement of the gate.
12. Check the state of the gate wheels, examining both the condition of the bearings and the wear on the rolling face of the wheel.
13. Check the condition of the gate rail and ensure that it is perfectly straight.
14. Check for excessive build-up of dirt on the gate rail which might affect its free movement, and ensure that there is no vegetation or anything else obstructing the movement of the gate.
15. Make sure that the rack mesh is within specification along the entire travel of the gate - the rack mustn't press down onto the pinion at any point.
16. Check that the gate aligns properly with its closed catch bracket when closing.
17. Make sure that the gate is fitted with an adequate Endstop that will stop the full force of the gate when opening.
18. Make sure that the gate's guide-rollers adequately support the gate in the upright position and allow free movement of the gate along its entire length of travel.
19. Check that the gearbox is securely mounted and properly aligned to the movement of the gate (i.e. parallel to the gate.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
neoprema said:
I have a strange problem with my gate. Its running a Centurion D5 Evo.

It was fine for a 2 years ,but now when opening it runs right to the furthest point and stops just 1cm before the physical end-stop then 2 seconds later it rolls the gate forward about 10cm and stops - this causes it to stick out a bit past the wall a bit which it didn't do before. It then closes fine.

but it never did this before, it used to just open normally and stopped when it was fully open and didn't move again until its closing.

I've checked the screen, its not complaining about anything it thinks its fine. So, I re-ran the setup wizard again so it re-learns its end-stops. The problem then went away for about 4 days, and then it started doing it again.
Click to expand...
Sounds like the origin magnet that is fitted on the gate isn't in position and isn't letting it read its position correctly. It may need to be adjusted so it can register position. You should hear the switch click as the magnet travels past.

CenturionD5andD3Magnet_600x_crop_center.jpg
 
Gordon_R said:
Centurion motors use an optical sensor (doss) to measure the gate position. Some early models had a problem with a leaking gearbox, which blocked the toothed wheel of the sensor, leading to problems similar to what you describe. If you are a DIY type, try examining the sensor for dirt or contamination.

Also check that the rack is rigid and correctly aligned, as skipping a tooth can cause similar behaviour (as noted above). Our installer used self-tapping screws, which were not very secure.

Edit: The user guide stresses all of these points:
Click to expand...
Mine uses a magnet as did my previous two.
 
Rickster said:
There is something small obstructing the path on the rail near the end. Our rail is on top of a "sand pit". Every once in a while the gardener pulls weeds out from the said sand pit and dirt gets on the rail and fails to open all the way then closes a bit.

If the rail is clean and still does the same thing, maybe your gate wheels need to be replaced, they could be putting too much drag on the motor during the slow speeds.
Click to expand...
Some Q20 will also reduce the drag enough to fix the issue in some cases.
 
Gordon_R said:
The magnet on the Centurion motor is to sense the direction of the gate. It does not sense the endstops. That's what the calibration process is for.
Click to expand...
It uses a stepper motor. It counts from the magnetic switch to the end when it calibrates. It knows the direction of the gate given that it controls it.
 
Last edited:
neoprema said:
I think late 2021. But It doesn’t run off it as the house has an inverter.
Click to expand...
AFAIK, the D5 Evo has a DC motor. The AC supply, whether from grid or inverter, is used only to charge the battery, which powers the motor. May be worth checking the battery.
 
Gordon_R said:
The magnet on the Centurion motor is to sense the direction of the gate. It does not sense the endstops. That's what the calibration process is for.
Click to expand...
if you had 2 pickups it could be feasible ,single magnet ,single pickup .be difficult to determine direction .
 
Could also be a faulty origin sensor switch (the switch that is triggered by the magnetic origin marker). Could also be the connector on the PC board from the origin sensor switch.
 
Last edited:
riscbroker said:
AFAIK, the D5 Evo has a DC motor. The AC supply, whether from grid or inverter, is used only to charge the battery, which powers the motor. May be worth checking the battery.
Click to expand...
This, the AC is used to charge the battery if you remove the battery the motor will not work even if the AC is on. So a faulty battery causes problems even if there is power.
 
I'll answer everyone together:

@Rickster I'll check, i didn't look if the rail is clear. However i have opened it while standing by it and didn't hear any banging, scraping or anything. but i'll double check.

@Gordon_R Hmm ok so this answers my question about how the gate's positional markers are just metal welded on the gate about 10cm long towards either side. I imagine they are detected by the optical sensor? I will have to check. I am a bit DIYish but i have been known to set a few things on fire so i'll tread carefully when i check :) Also see my reply at the end...

@ikpat I have one of those too - so see below cause my answer with @Gordon_R might apply here ...

@Mzezman That battery was part of 3 others i bought for a friend. Both his 2 died after 1 year in an alarm, s i'm thinking possibly this one is toast too...

Ok so about the sensors.

I did do the following, i don't know if its an RTFM issue or not:

1. When it happened the first time, I had unlocked the clutch and the gate was open. I re-engaged the clutch and did a "Setup Wizard". It tried rolling the gate forward and back and ended with "Collision Detected."
2. It did the issue a few times.
3. I then unlocked the clutch and CLOSED the gate, re-engaged the clutch and re-ran the "Setup Wizard" and it opened and closed, then open and closed again and said "Complete".

It then worked fine for 4 days until it began its original issue about again...
Not sure if this info gives you anything more to go on?
 
My_King said:
For the expits. This is how the motor knows which direction it is going:

Click to expand...
That's how the system knows where the gate limits are. The PCB decides the direction of the motor.... it's always aware of which direction it's going.
 
Last edited:
neoprema said:
I'll answer everyone together:

@Rickster I'll check, i didn't look if the rail is clear. However i have opened it while standing by it and didn't hear any banging, scraping or anything. but i'll double check.

@Gordon_R Hmm ok so this answers my question about how the gate's positional markers are just metal welded on the gate about 10cm long towards either side. I imagine they are detected by the optical sensor? I will have to check. I am a bit DIYish but i have been known to set a few things on fire so i'll tread carefully when i check :) Also see my reply at the end...

@ikpat I have one of those too - so see below cause my answer with @Gordon_R might apply here ...

@Mzezman That battery was part of 3 others i bought for a friend. Both his 2 died after 1 year in an alarm, s i'm thinking possibly this one is toast too...

Ok so about the sensors.

I did do the following, i don't know if its an RTFM issue or not:

1. When it happened the first time, I had unlocked the clutch and the gate was open. I re-engaged the clutch and did a "Setup Wizard". It tried rolling the gate forward and back and ended with "Collision Detected."
2. It did the issue a few times.
3. I then unlocked the clutch and CLOSED the gate, re-engaged the clutch and re-ran the "Setup Wizard" and it opened and closed, then open and closed again and said "Complete".

It then worked fine for 4 days until it began its original issue about again...
Not sure if this info gives you anything more to go on?
Click to expand...
So is the origin magnet and sensor working fine?
 
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