Gate Opener Upgrade: Topens to BFT Phobos
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- In this video I replace my Topens A8132 gate opener with the BFT Phobos BT A25 from Easy Gates. Includes a quick review of some of the main problems I had with the Topens openers.
Dammit. I bought a TOPENS product back in May. I'm barely getting ready to install them and then i found your video. I cant return the product because I'm out of return window. Thanks for the video. I need a beer to cry in.
Maybe I've just been unlucky and they will work OK for you 🤞
Thanks for the video like others i have bought the topens and now looking to cry into my beer! Lol, could you provide more info on how you wired up the shelly please?
Sorry for your troubles, mate. We also have Topens (brand new) and are about to throw ours in the trash to get a product that works. The photocells, as with you, do the exact same thing. It's like it's working backward. Also, Topens has ZERO support. This was one of the most horrendous service experiences I've encountered in my life. Buyer beware.
Great helpful video
Thanks!
Good motors these bft rams. Only issues I find with bft is when you run the auto set, it leaves the “open force and close force” to a very low preset level. Which you can increase over time if and when need be.
Yes, they've been working well for me, very happy with them. Not noticed an issue with the auto set force settings yet but thanks for the pointer.
I don't use Topens products so not defending them but your gates in any wind are a nightmare to open/close due to the design of your gates. Need gates that aren't working against mother nature and catching all the wind that blows in that direction
Wind is definitely a concern, but I think the gates location shield it from the worst of any direct wind. It was also one of the reasons for the lock, to reduce any force placed on the arms by wind when closed.
I can't say for sure but I don't think any of my problems with the faulty Topens arm are wind related, seem to be some combination of the crappy limit switches and the controller getting confused. Mechanically the arm seems fine, when the controller chooses to open / close, it works OK.
I've just bought a Topens so hopefully don't have similar issues. I'd imagine the metal plate will need the surface grinding off to weld it then painted. Hope the new ones last for that money.
Sorry, this was probably not the video you wanted to find! Hopefully I've just been very unlucky and you have a better experience.
@@RodMcBain Good to know. It is very cheap so not expecting perfection.
Dear Rod,
Firstly, let us extend our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience and dissatisfaction you experienced with our product. Your feedback is invaluable to us as it highlights areas where we can improve both our products and services. We have heard you, and we eagerly await the opportunity to support you. Please don’t hesitate to drop us a line if there’s anything we can do for you at any time; we are always here for you.
We understand how frustrating it can be when issues arise that affect your experience. While our team is dedicated to delivering top-quality products, we recognize the importance of your feedback in guiding our ongoing development and improvement efforts. We are continuously working to better align with the expectations of our loyal customers like you.
Although we are saddened to hear that you have chosen another brand as a replacement, we genuinely wish you the best with your new experience. We hope for the opportunity to regain your trust and confidence in the future.
Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience and frustration you have experienced. We are always here for a chance to help!
Best regards,
Team TOPENS
Thanks for the reply, the complaints I had would mostly be easy to fix in future designs so I genuinely hope you do take them on board.
Rod precisely explained the flaws in the Topens gate openers. I have (unluckily) purchased four of them and have been using them for four difficult years. The most annoying two issues I've had are the same as Rod: 1. The limiters are absolute garbage and strip out and move, even with the most delicate adjustment force. 2. One gate (master) works 99.9% of the time, perfectly. The slave gate regularly fails to close all the way, stopping between 1-3 feet short of the assigned stop point. My experience with Topens came down to being told to open/close the gates for several cycles to normalize the open/close positions, and to tinker with the stall force settings in the control panel. These were not helpful tips. Finally, his point about inadequate space in the control box for add-on devices and wires was EXACTLY what I'm dealing with right now. Horrible. I am looking into following your lead, Rod. This video was very helpful, just not sure if those openers you installed will work here in Texas. Thanks!
Great vid!
Thank you
Are these gate openers solar powered?
Technically yes, I have solar panels and batteries for my whole house, but no they are not directly solar powered, they take a normal 230v mains supply. I guess that's a potential advantage the Topens openers had, they came with a separate power supply that you could directly attach a battery and solar panels to.
Don't attempt work you are unqualified for?
Competent and knowledgeable is almost always better than "qualified"!