Project Facts
LiftMaster Solar Gate Opener Upgrade in Ellijay, GA
North Georgia Fence Company recently completed a LiftMaster solar gate opener upgrade in Ellijay, GA, replacing an older BFT solar operator system that was no longer functioning.
What makes this project especially meaningful to us is the history behind it.
We originally installed the homeowner's solar-powered BFT automatic gate system in 2014. After years of service, the old system eventually reached the point where the homeowner wanted to replace it with newer LiftMaster equipment.
When that time came, he called North Georgia Fence Company again.
More than a decade after the original installation, we returned to the same property to upgrade the dual driveway gate with a new LiftMaster solar gate opener system.
Customer Problem: An Aging BFT Gate System
The homeowner's existing automatic driveway gate was powered by a solar BFT system that we originally installed in 2014.
After many years of use, the old gate operator system was no longer working properly. Rather than continue relying on aging equipment, the homeowner contacted us about installing a new solar automatic gate opener.
Because the existing entrance already had a dual-swing gate, the goal wasn't to replace the gate itself. The objective was to modernize the equipment that operates it.
Site Inspection & System Evaluation
Automatic driveway gate technology has changed considerably since the original system was installed.
Before replacing an older operator, it's important to look at the entire entrance rather than simply swapping one piece of equipment for another. The existing dual-gate configuration, power source and overall installation all need to work properly with the replacement system.
Since this property already relied on solar power at the entrance, the replacement needed to preserve that advantage while providing the homeowner with a dependable modern gate operator.
Diagnosis: Time for a Gate Operator Upgrade
After years of service from the original BFT equipment, replacing the aging system made more sense for this homeowner than continuing to invest in an automatic gate opener that was no longer dependable.
A driveway gate itself can often remain useful far longer than the automation equipment attached to it.
Motors, control boards, batteries, charging equipment, sensors and other electronic components eventually age or become obsolete. When that happens, upgrading the operator can give an existing driveway gate a new lease on life without replacing the gate itself.
For this property, we moved forward with a new LiftMaster solar system for the existing dual gate.
Replacing the Old BFT System with LiftMaster
The old BFT gate operator equipment was replaced with the new LiftMaster solar gate opener system and configured for the homeowner's existing dual-swing driveway gate.
Solar operation continues to make sense at properties where supplying conventional electrical service to the entrance would be difficult, disruptive or unnecessarily expensive.
After installation, the new system was set up, adjusted and tested to make sure both gate leaves operated correctly together.
The homeowner now has updated LiftMaster automation while retaining the existing driveway entrance he has used for years.
Automatic Vehicle Exit Sensor
An automatic exit sensor was installed beneath the driveway approach on the property side of the gate.
When an exiting vehicle approaches the entrance, the sensor signals the gate system to open automatically. The driver can leave the property without using a remote or manually activating the gate.
Its placement was planned during trenching so the sensor wiring could be routed back to the control system inside protected underground conduit.
Final Result
The finished project gave an established automatic driveway gate a significant equipment upgrade without requiring replacement of the gate itself.
More importantly, this project represents something we value even more than installing new equipment:
a customer who remembered who installed his gate years ago and called us again when he needed help.
We installed the original solar BFT system in 2014. When the homeowner eventually needed new gate operators, he trusted North Georgia Fence Company to return and install the replacement LiftMaster system.
His five-star Google review says it better than we could.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Have used Sam twice in the last 9 years for new gate controllers. Sam is always very pleasant and knowledgeable. Always responsive to your calls. Very dependable, professional man.”
— Cal Kile, Ellijay, GA
Google Review
Our Commitment Doesn't End at Installation
Many automatic gate companies can install equipment.
The more important question is: Who will you call years later when that equipment eventually needs service or replacement?
We originally worked at this Ellijay property in 2014 when we installed the homeowner's solar BFT gate operator system. More than a decade later, when it was time to upgrade the equipment, he called North Georgia Fence Company again.
Automatic driveway gates are long-term mechanical and electrical systems. Batteries age. Electronics eventually fail. Technology changes. Operators can become obsolete.
That's why our commitment doesn't end when a new gate opener is installed. We want customers to know they have someone familiar with automatic gate systems they can call for future troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs and equipment upgrades.
For us, a repeat customer more than a decade later is one of the best compliments we can receive.
Why This Project Matters
An automatic driveway gate doesn't necessarily need to be replaced just because its original operator has reached the end of its useful life. In many cases, an existing gate can be upgraded with modern automation and continue serving the property for years.
This Ellijay project also demonstrates the value of having a long-term relationship with an automatic gate contractor who can return to service and upgrade the system as equipment ages.
Is Your Automatic Gate Opener Getting Old or Unreliable?
If your existing automatic driveway gate is operating intermittently, has stopped working, or uses older equipment that is becoming difficult to maintain, you may not need an entirely new gate.
North Georgia Fence Company repairs, replaces and upgrades automatic driveway gate operators throughout Ellijay and the North Georgia mountains, including solar-powered systems.
We can evaluate your existing gate and operator and help determine whether repair or replacement makes the most sense.
Ready to find out more?
Automatic Driveway Gate Installations for North Georgia mountain properties:
Take a look at our Recent Project Spotlight page to get a feel for who we are and what we do at North Georgia Fence Company.
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