Installation and Maintenance Manual
55
IMPORTANT SPECIAL NOTES REGARDING
D.C. POWERED GATE OPERATORS
The on/off switch on the electric control panel of the drive unit does not disable all DC power to the
operator, even if the AC power has been disabled at its source. The large rotary switch in the DC
power supply enclosure must be actuated off to insure disconnect of all DC power to the drive unit.
The disconnect in the power supply must be off if the AC source power will be absent for more than
one week. This avoids slowly discharging the batteries into the battery charger. Batteries will self-
discharge and therefore the DC power supply must not be stored for a period longer than 6 months
without recharging the batteries.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. If batteries are dropped or damaged, be cautious not to get acid in
the eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Be certain to observe polarity when connecting the batteries, or adding accessories. Reversed
polarity may result in a non-functional operator or possibly damage a component. Red is (+) posi-
tive, and black is (-) negative.
Since the electrical current under load is very high, be certain that the minimum conductor size,
specified in the installation instructions, is used for the connection between the battery pack and the
operator. If the battery pack is more than 20 feet from the operator, use a larger wire size, accord-
ing to the distance between the operator and the batteries.
If shorted, batteries will generate a very high current. Observe special care when connecting the
cables to the batteries that the polarity is correct. The batteries are connected in a series circuit: join
the positive (+) terminal from one battery to the negative (-) terminal of the next battery.
Since this operator is intended to run on batteries, control of the load is important. Easier moving
gates will drain less energy from the battery, preserving capacity for more cycles during a power
failure.
Hy-Security uses a permanently sealed type battery, which needs no maintenance over its life span.
A low voltage-sensing circuit protects the batteries from damage which could be caused by over-
discharge. The charger automatically regulates its output to allow high output when the battery is
partially discharged. The output will automatically be reduced to zero as the batteries become fully
charged.
Batteries have a finite life. As the batteries age they will lose some of their capacity to store energy.
If the total amount of back up capacity is critical, plan to replace the batteries after 5 years of use.
Properly dispose of or recycle used batteries.
Batteries are rated to perform to capacity at a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 77
degrees, the “amp hour” capacity is temporarily reduced. For example, at freezing, the capacity is
75%, at 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the capacity is 50%. Hy-Security insulates the battery pack to
guard against this loss. Do not remove any insulation or the performance of the system may be
adversely affected.
Batteries can be damaged by excessive heat, which may shorten their life span. Therefore, do not
paint the battery enclosure a dark color that could cause it to absorb a lot of heat from sunlight.
