Solar Gate System Upgraded After Lightning Strike
A recent series of severe North Georgia thunderstorms left this homeowner's automatic driveway gate completely inoperable after a lightning strike destroyed the existing solar-powered BFT gate operator.
Having installed the original gate and automation system more than four years earlier, North Georgia Fence Company was called back to evaluate the damage and recommend the best long-term solution.
SERVICE
Solar Automatic Driveway Gate Repair
LOCATION
Blairsville
GATE TYPE
Dual Swing
BRAND
LiftMaster
Project Overview
📍 Location
Blairsville, Georgia🔧 Service
Automatic Driveway Gate Repair⚙ Equipment
Solar Powered LiftMaster✔ Outcome
Replaced damaged BFT with LiftMaster Upgrade
Customer Problem
The homeowner called on a Friday after lightning struck his automatic driveway gate.
His concerns included:
- Gate would no longer operate
- Possible lightning damage to electronic components
- Need for dependable long-term reliability
- Maintaining solar-powered operation
- Keeping costs reasonable whenever possible
Because this gate protects the entrance to a working farm, dependable operation was essential.
The original solar-powered BFT gate operator that served the property for more than four years before being damaged by lightning.
Site Inspection
Sam met the homeowner the following Saturday to inspect the damaged system.
Rather than immediately recommending replacement, approximately an hour was spent testing and replacing several damaged components in an effort to restore operation.
Every reasonable repair option was explored before determining the extent of the lightning damage.
Diagnosis
Although many of the damaged components could have been replaced individually, the electrical damage extended throughout much of the operator system.
Rather than investing significant money into aging equipment with uncertain reliability, a better long-term solution was recommended:
A complete upgrade to a new solar-powered LiftMaster LA400 dual swing gate operator.
The homeowner appreciated receiving an honest recommendation that focused on long-term value instead of simply replacing parts.
Repair Process
After approving the estimate, installation was scheduled for the following Tuesday.
The project included:
- Removal of the damaged BFT operator
- Installation of a new LiftMaster LA400 dual swing gate system
- New solar charging system
- New keypad installation
- Reuse of the existing exit sensor, which was still functioning perfectly
- Complete programming and safety testing
- Owner orientation
After completion, the homeowner paid for the project and we headed to our next scheduled installation.
However, our work wasn't quite finished.
Going the Extra Mile
Shortly after leaving the property, the homeowner called to mention one concern.
Because his farmhouse sits on top of a hill approximately 600 feet from the entrance gate, he wanted to operate the gate from his house using the remote transmitter.
While the new system worked properly, the remote range wasn't meeting his expectations.
Instead of considering the job complete, we immediately looked for a solution.
We purchased a coaxial antenna extension cable and raised the LiftMaster antenna higher on the solar panel mast to improve signal transmission.
After several days of testing, the homeowner confirmed the improvement was a complete success and that he was extremely happy with the final result.
For us, customer satisfaction doesn't end when the installation is finished—it ends when the customer is completely satisfied.
Final Result
The homeowner now has:
- Brand-new LiftMaster LA400 dual gate operator
- Solar-powered operation
- New wireless keypad
- Improved long-range remote operation
- Existing exit sensor reused to reduce costs
- Modern safety features
- Reliable daily operation
Most importantly, the system now performs exactly the way the homeowner wanted.
★★★★★
"Sam and Joe responded immediately to my request after lightning struck my gate. They made sure everything was done correctly. They explained all the details to me very clearly."
— Troy Collins
The gate is configured to swing outward to open because of the steeply sloped driveway. The farmer can open it from his house window on the hill using a remote transmitter, thanks to the antenna mounted high on the solar panel mast.
Our Commitment Doesn't End at Installation
Because exceptional service means standing behind every project.
When we completed this installation, we believed the project was finished. As we were driving to our next scheduled job, the homeowner called with one concern: he wanted to operate his gate from his farmhouse, located approximately 600 feet up the hill from the entrance.
Technically, the system was operating exactly as designed. But our goal isn't simply to install equipment—it's to make sure every customer is completely satisfied with how their system performs in the real world.
Instead of asking the homeowner to "live with it," we immediately began looking for a solution. We purchased a coaxial antenna extension cable, raised the antenna higher on the solar panel mast, and tested the system over the following several days.
The result was exactly what the homeowner hoped for: dependable remote operation from his house.
At North Georgia Fence Company, we believe a project isn't truly complete until the customer is happy.
Why This Project Matters
Lightning strikes are one of the most common causes of automatic driveway gate failures in North Georgia. While some damaged systems can be repaired, there are times when replacing aging equipment is the smarter long-term investment. This project also demonstrates the importance of proper antenna placement for large rural properties where long-range remote operation is needed.