LiftMaster LA500 Instruction Manual

Vehicular Swing Gate Operator Installation Manual for Models LA500PKGUL, LA500DC, LA500DCS.

LIGHT COMMERCIAL - RESIDENTIAL DC

EXTERNAL SAFETY DEVICES REQUIRED. SEE SAFETY SECTION FOR UL 325 ENTRAPMENT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS. THIS PRODUCT MUST BE INSTALLED AND SERVICED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS MANUAL BY A TRAINED GATE SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN ONLY.

• This model is for use on vehicular passage gates ONLY and not intended for use on pedestrian passage gates.
• This model is intended for use in Class I, II, III, and IV vehicular swing gate applications.
• Visit LiftMaster.com to locate a professional installing dealer in your area.
• This gate operator is compatible with myQ® and Security+ 2.0® accessories and Security+ 3.0® MAX and Universal accessories.

LiftMaster, 300 Windsor Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523.

Safety Symbol and Signal Word Review

Warning symbols on mechanical and electrical hazards alert you to the risk of serious injury or death. The Caution symbol alerts you to possible damage to the gate or operator. Before installing, operating, or maintaining this operator, read and fully understand this manual and follow all safety instructions. Only a trained gate systems technician should attempt repair or service.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Usage Class

• Class I: Residential vehicular gate for one- to four-family residences.
• Class II: Commercial/general access gate for multi-family housing, hotels, retail, or other buildings servicing the public.
• Class III: Industrial/limited access gate for factories, loading docks, or other non-public locations.
• Class IV: Restricted access gate for guarded industrial locations such as airport security areas.

UL 325 Entrapment Protection Requirements

An entrapment zone is any location between a moving gate or exposed operator component and a counter-opposing edge or surface where entrapment is possible up to 6 feet above grade. This includes any gap between the bottom of the gate and the ground greater than 4 inches and less than 16 inches, and any gap between the pivot centerline and the end of a wall, pillar, or column exceeding 4 inches.

A minimum of two independent monitored entrapment protection devices is required at each entrapment zone. This operator includes one inherent (built-in) device; the installer must add at least one additional external device per entrapment zone. Acceptable device types are inherent, LiftMaster monitored external photoelectric sensors, and LiftMaster monitored external edge sensors.

Gate systems are made up of many component parts, and the operator is only one of them. Installers must account for the hazards of each individual application. Pedestrians must always be provided a separate access opening located so they never come in contact with the vehicular gate during its travel. Permanently mounted access controls must sit at least 6 feet from any moving gate part. A minimum of two warning signs must be installed so at least one is visible from each side of the gate.

Gates should be installed according to ASTM F2200. Gates must not fall over more than 45 degrees from vertical if detached from their hardware, must have smooth bottom edges with no protrusions exceeding 0.5 inches, and must not move under gravity alone if the operator is disconnected. For Class I, II, and III swing gates, the object covered by the gate in the open position must not exceed 4 inches measured from the pivot centerline, and clearance to any fixed object must be at least 16 inches unless entrapment protection is added.

The carton includes the gate operator, standard control box with two 12 Vdc 7AH batteries, two keys, post bracket, gate bracket, two warning signs, warranty card, and installation manual. The LA500DCS model additionally includes a LiftMaster monitored retro-reflective photoelectric sensor with junction box, terminal block connector, and watertight extension cable connector.

Optional accessories not included in the box: the Large Metal Control Box (Model LA500CONTXLMUL) for installations needing extra room, and the Large Metal Control Box for Solar Applications (Model XLSOLARCONTUL), which requires two 33AH batteries, a battery tray, and a solar battery harness.

Operator Specifications

Usage Classification: Class I, II, III, & IV. Main AC Supply: 120 Vac, 2 Amps (8 Amps including Accessory Outlets) OR 240 Vac, 1 Amp. System Operating Voltage: 24 Vdc Transformer Run / Battery Backup. Accessory Power: 24 Vdc, 500mA max. Solar Power Max: 24 Vdc at 60 watts max. Maximum Gate Weight/Length: 1600 lbs / 8 ft, 800 lbs / 16 ft, 600 lbs / 18 ft. 90 Degree Travel Time: 15-18 seconds. Maximum Daily Cycle Rate: 300 cycles/day. Operating Temperature: -40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F). Expansion Board: Provided.

Check national and local building codes before installation. Contact underground utility locating companies before trenching, and use UL-approved conduit for low and high voltage lines. Vehicle loops, while not required, are recommended for vehicles 14 feet or longer to keep the gate open while a vehicle blocks its path.

Before installing, confirm: the gate is level, the gate and post are plumb, the gate has a smooth bottom edge with no protrusions, any wheels are removed from the bottom of the gate, the gate does not drag across the ground, and the gate swings freely on its hinges.

Do: weld a horizontal bar across the entire gate for strength, mount the operator level, leave slack in the operator cable, and install the operator at least 12 inches from the ground.

Do not: install upside down, install near sprinklers, install on uphill or downhill gates, install on pedestrian passageways, over-bend the operator cable, or weld the crossbar to just a few pickets.

With the gate closed, measure dimension A from the hinge point and dimension B from that mark to locate the post bracket and gate bracket. The ideal measurements are A = 7-3/4 inches and B = 8-1/2 inches, though other combinations are acceptable as long as A plus B does not exceed 18 inches. There must be no more than 4 inches from the center of the hinge to the edge of the post; if the gap is larger, that area needs entrapment protection. With the gate fully open, the operator needs a minimum clearance of 11-1/4 inches.

Insert the key and turn it 180 degrees counterclockwise, then turn the release lever 180 degrees counterclockwise to put the operator in manual mode. Position the operator on the brackets, confirm it sits level, then remove it and fully weld the brackets in place. Reattach the operator to the post bracket and gate bracket with the provided hardware. For dual gate applications, repeat these steps for the second operator.

The control box must be mounted within 5 feet of the gate operator, as high as possible for best radio reception, and level. For the standard control box, remove the expansion board before mounting to a wall, column, or post, then reinstall it once the box is secured. For post mounts, use U-bolts and rubber washers, keeping the U-bolts from protruding more than 3/4 inch to avoid shorting the control board.

The Large Metal Control Box follows the same 5-foot and leveling rules, with wall/column and post mounting options. The post mount option is not recommended for the 33AH battery application.

Install the earth ground rod within 3 feet of the operator using a single, whole piece of wire, never spliced. Improper grounding reduces remote control range and increases susceptibility to lightning and surge damage.

To wire the operator arm, route the operator cable through a watertight connector into a knockout at the bottom of the control box, match wire colors to the connector labeling, and plug the connector into the GATE 1 terminal on the control board.

Dual gate communication is either wired or wireless, never both at once. Wired setups keep a longer battery standby time. Wireless setups need a second control box and are paired using the LEARN button: press it once on each operator to light the XMITTER LED, press again to light the NETWORK LED, then use the OPEN test button on the primary and CLOSE test button on the secondary to complete pairing.

Wired setups run an extension cable through a junction box mounted within 3 feet of the second operator, connecting like-colored wires at a terminal block, then wiring the secondary operator into the GATE 2 terminal on the control board.

The BIPART DELAY switch controls which gate opens first and closes first, useful for overlapping decorative gates or solenoid locks, and can also synchronize the close cycle when one gate travels farther than the other.

Entrapment protection devices must be installed at every entrapment zone identified using the Site Planning Safety Checklist. The operator will not run without a minimum of one external device connected in either the open or close direction. All devices must be tested after installation.

The control board has dedicated inputs: CLOSE EYES/INTERRUPT for photoelectric sensors in the close direction, CLOSE EDGE for edge sensors in the close direction, and OPEN EYES/EDGE for sensors in the open direction. The expansion board adds EYE ONLY and EYE/EDGE inputs that can be switched to either direction. Only one monitored device may be wired to each input.

The standard control box can run on 120 Vac (factory default) or 240 Vac. Turn off AC power at the breaker before wiring, connect ground, neutral, and hot wires to the toroid transformer assembly, then plug the J15 connector into the control board. A small spark when plugging in J15 is normal. Power and control wiring must always run in separate conduits, and control wiring must use Power-Limited Circuit Cable rated CL2, CL2P, CL2R, or CL2X or better.

Install the two required UL warning signs in plain view on both sides of the gate. To finish, turn the release lever clockwise 180 degrees to re-engage the motor, then turn the key clockwise 180 degrees to lock the release lever.

Never increase force beyond the minimum needed to move the gate, and never use force to compensate for a binding or sticking gate. After any adjustment to force or travel limits, retest the safety reversal system: the gate must reverse on contact with an object.

To set initial limits: set the GATE switch to position 1, press SET OPEN and SET CLOSE together to enter limit setting mode, use the MOVE GATE buttons to drive the gate to each limit, and press the matching SET button at each position. Cycling the gate with the TEST buttons afterward sets the force automatically. Repeat for the second gate on dual setups by switching to GATE position 2.

The REVERSAL FORCE dial fine-tunes force for wind and seasonal changes. If the gate stops short of a limit, increase force slightly clockwise. After every adjustment, run the obstruction test: place an object or your hand in the gate's path during the close cycle. The gate must stop and reverse on contact. If it doesn't, reduce force slightly counterclockwise. Repeat the test in the open direction.

Up to 50 Security+ 2.0® remotes or KPW250 keypads, plus 2 keyless entries, can be stored in memory. To program a remote, press and release the LEARN button (the green XMITTER LED lights), then press the remote button to program within 30 seconds. Three programming options exist: single button as open only, single button as open/close/stop, or three separate buttons for open, close, and stop.

Security+ 3.0 MAX remotes (models CH361, L932M, CH382, L993M) use a different pairing sequence: put the remote into programming mode first, then press LEARN on the operator, double-press the desired remote button, and confirm the gate moves when the button is pressed again.

The LiftMaster Internet Gateway pairs through the myQ app after connecting it to a router and powering it on; the operator beeps to confirm a successful pair.

To erase all remote codes: press LEARN, then press and hold it again for about 6 seconds until the XMITTER LED flashes. To erase limits: hold SET OPEN and SET CLOSE together for 5 seconds until both LEDs blink rapidly. Constant Pressure Override (CPO) temporarily bypasses a faulted entrapment protection device using a valid 4-digit PIN plus holding the # key, and should only be used in direct line of sight of the gate.

The control board includes SET OPEN and SET CLOSE buttons for limits, MOVE GATE buttons for jogging the gate during setup, a BATT FAIL option switch, a BIPART DELAY switch for dual gates, a LEARN button for remotes, a TIMER-TO-CLOSE dial (0 to 180 seconds, 0 is off), a REVERSAL FORCE dial, TEST buttons for open/stop/close, status LEDs, and a diagnostics display showing operator type, firmware version, and error codes.

To release the operator manually: insert the key, turn it counterclockwise 180 degrees, then turn the release lever counterclockwise 180 degrees. To re-engage: reverse both steps. The reset button stops a moving gate, cancels the Timer-to-Close (Party Mode), and clears alarms. Party Mode can also be triggered from a KPW5 or KPW250 keypad with a valid PIN while the gate sits open with the timer running.

The alarm sounds for up to 5 minutes if the operator detects an obstruction, incorrect installation, tight or broken hinges, a vehicle pushing the gate, a foreign object on the frame, or the gate hitting a curb, twice consecutively. Clear the obstruction and press reset to silence the alarm. Three short beeps during a command indicate a low battery.

With a single-button remote, pressing it opens a closed gate, stops it mid-open on a second press, and closes it on a third. The same logic applies in reverse when the gate starts open.

The EXIT input is a soft open command for exit probes, telephone entry, or exit loop detectors. SHADOW holds the gate open at the limit when a loop is positioned under the gate. INTERRUPT holds the gate open and reverses a closing gate when a loop sits outside the gate. None of these inputs function as entrapment protection.

The LOCK output is a normally-closed relay contact for maglocks that activates before and during motor movement. Accessory power provides 24 Vdc at 500mA max, either switched (on during motion and for 5 seconds after) or unswitched (always on).

The expansion board adds switches for Quick Close, AC Fail, Exit Fail, Anti-Tail, two configurable auxiliary relays, and EYE/EDGE direction settings, plus inputs for loop detectors and a wireless edge kit. Auxiliary Relay settings include Open Limit Switch, Close Limit Switch, Gate Motion, Pre-Motion Delay, Power, Tamper, and Cycle Quantity Feedback, each set via a 3-position dipswitch combination.

Check entrapment protection devices, warning signs, and the manual disconnect monthly. Inspect the gate, accessories, electrical connections, and mounting hardware every six months. Replace batteries every 3 years using only LiftMaster part 29-NP712. Always disconnect all power, including batteries, before servicing.

To view codes, press and hold STOP, then CLOSE, then OPEN until "Er" appears. The display cycles through up to 20 saved codes, most recent first. Press OPEN to scroll toward the most recent, CLOSE to scroll toward the oldest. Hold STOP for 6 seconds to reset the code history.

Covers Pull-to-Open and Push-to-Open configurations for both column and post installations, with reinforcement guidance for each.

Solar installations require either the Large Metal Control Box for Solar Applications with two 33AH batteries, or the Standard Control Box for Solar Applications with two 7AH batteries, paired with a minimum of two and maximum of six 10W solar panels (model SP10W12V) and a solar battery harness. Solar panels must face south and sit clear of shade. Solar zones are rated by average daily sunlight (6, 4, or 2 hours), and cycles per day vary by zone, panel wattage, and battery capacity. Solar installations are not supported in far northern climates due to reduced winter sunlight.

Limits can also be set using a 3-button remote programmed for OPEN, CLOSE, and STOP (Security+ 2.0 model 813LMX recommended). Enter limit setting mode on the control board, then jog the gate to each position using the remote's OPEN and CLOSE buttons, pressing STOP to confirm each position before pressing OPEN or CLOSE again to lock it in.

The Sequenced Access Management System (SAMS) uses programmable relays to determine the order in which multiple control devices operate across an opening, such as a swing gate and barrier gate combination.

Key replacement parts include the control board (K1D8388-1CC), expansion board (K1D8387-1CC), piezo alarm (K94-36296), reset switch with product ID (K94-36408-1), toroidal transformer kits, and single 7AH battery (29-NP712). Gate operator arm parts include the primary arm (LA500DC), rear connector with pin, release keys, steel bracket mounting plates, and junction box with cable.

Full wiring diagrams cover the standard and large metal control boxes, including photoelectric sensor and edge sensor terminals, hard-wired open/close/stop and exit inputs, battery connections, transformer wiring, solar panel wiring, and the expansion board connection. See the official PDF for the complete schematic.

Available entrapment protection accessories include the monitored through-beam photoelectric sensor (LMTBUL), monitored retro-reflective photoelectric sensor (LMRRUL), Commercial Protector System (CPS-UN4, CPSUN4G), monitored wireless edge kit (LMWEKITU), and monitored wireless edge transmitter (LMWETXU). Remote control options range from the 3-button 893MAX to the keyless entry 878MAX and the 3-button DIP remote 813LMX. Other accessories include the STAR1000 commercial receiver, LOOPDETLM plug-in loop detector, CP4 vehicle sensing probe, MG1300 magnetic gate lock, KPW250 wireless keypad, and 828LM Internet Gateway.

LiftMaster warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship for 2 years from the date of purchase, contingent on following the installation, operation, maintenance, and testing instructions in this manual. The warranty does not cover gate or gate hardware issues, damage from improper installation or care, labor for reinstalling repaired units, or battery replacement. Call 1-800-528-2806 for warranty service before dismantling the product.