Battery Backup: When the Lights Go Out!

California’s recent planned power outages highlighted an important safety and convenience concern which was property access and security during blackout periods. People, especially those in the Silicon Valley where the our lifeblood is electricity, experienced apprehension that their “everything-powered-life” would be affected by a crisis of both AC and DC proportions.

Luckily however, we can avert certain catastrophes that impact our lives because of the miracle of battery backup. Most people don’t know that both gates and garage doors have batter backup available. New systems often time include battery backup but you need to make sure you verify that prior to installation as it is not mandatory.

For those of you who have systems installed without battery backup the good news is that a qualified gate installer is adept in adding those systems to your gate. If you have elderly, infirm or mobility limited individuals who either cannot easily operate manual opening of a gate or garage door, it would make sense to either add a battery backup system or if the operators are old and potentially nearing end-of-life it might make sense to install operators that have on-board built in battery backup systems.

These systems trickle charge so that they are always ready to work. Like any battery operated device, it is always important to replace your batteries per the recommendation of the equipment manufacturer so having your gate professionally maintained will insure that a qualified technician is keeping an eye on these systems to make sure they are operable at time of service.

Not sure if your gate operator has a battery backup system or have concerns that a homeowner would be unsafe with either a stuck closed or stuck open gate due to a power failure, you might be best served by contacting your gate service company to have them perform a preventative service call on your gate to provide the peace of mind that just because the power is out doesn’t mean you can get out.