Propel Automated Door Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Door Related Questions:
Q: How wide of a door will your opener work on?
A: Our openers will work on single doors up to 24’ wide and double doors up to 48’ wide
Q: Does your opener only work on steel doors or will it work on wood or aluminum doors as well?
A: Our openers will work on any sliding door regardless of the material
Q: My door seems to drag a little and it is hard to move. Will your opener still work?
A: Before installing any opener, every door must be adjusted so that it rolls smoothly and is free from major obstructions. When your system is installed by an authorized Propel installer, a certain amount of time is included to adjust and align your doors
Q: My doors are old wooden doors (or old steel doors) and they are very heavy. Will your opener still work?
A: Because of the patented design of the motor, the Propel system will move over 160lbs of force. This is a significant amount of force that would be challenging for the average person to move. However, pre-installation checks should be made to ensure that the track, trolleys, bottom door guides and header and jamb clearances are all operating smoothly. Any issues with these critical points that are not resolved prior to installation of the Propel system could result in severe damage to the door and/or its components.
Q: Do I have to unlatch my door to open it?
A: No. In fact, we remove the latches because we install an automatic roller latch that secures the door when it is closed.
Q: How much clearance will I lose on my door with your system?
A: 4â€-6†total depending on the guide system that you choose for your door. There is no loss in opening height with the exception of a max clearance sidewall door or a door that is on a building with a ceiling installed. In those two cases, it is possible to lose up to 2†in height clearance.
Q: Can someone pry my doors open since there is no chain or bar in the center to hold the doors closed once the system is installed?
A: The system is not hydraulic and therefore has no back pressure relief. Prying the doors open would require applying enough force to break the steel gears and/or the chain. Significant damage to the door would result before the system would fail. There are easier ways for someone to enter the building.
Building Related Questions:
Q: Will your system work on post frame buildings only or will it work on a steel building:
A: It works on any building. We ask for the type of building framing at the point of sale so that we know what type of hardware you will need.
Q: My doors slide out past the sides of the building. Will your motor still work?
A: As long as there is ample clearance inside of the building along the sides of the headers, the system will operate just fine. See the header clearance chart on the website to ensure that you have enough clearance on the sides of the door.
Q: My building is pretty old. How do I know if your system will work on it?
A: Age of building is not necessarily relative to the functionality of the system. The system will work on any building where secure connections to the frame can be established and there is a smooth rolling door free from obstructions.
Q: What do you mean by “smooth rolling door�
A: The definition of a “smooth rolling door†is a door that operates within the guidelines of our published “Maximum Forces to Move a Door†chart and is free from obstructions that would cause the door to “bumpâ€, “jumpâ€, “skip†or stop.
Operator Functionality Questions:
Q: How does it work?
A: The system guides the door (s) open and closed by attaching the motor to the door panel via our door arm. The motor has one internal moving part, a sprocket, that moves back and forth on the stainless steel chain.
Q: How does it guide itself straight in a wind?
A: There are three different types of floor guide systems to choose from to keep the door aligned and secure in the wind. These systems ensure that the bottom of the door stays in line with the top of the door and bi-parting doors meet in the middle when they come together.
Q: What if the power goes out…are my doors stuck?
A: No. There is an emergency release cord that you simply pull to disengage the motor. To re-engage the motor, simply pull the release cord again.
Q: Will I have a bunch of wires overhead moving back and forth with the door?
A: There are no external wires for the track or motor. The only wires are the pigtail for the control head and the low voltage wires for the photo eyes.
Q: How do I know that the chain won’t ground out?
A: The chain is in a protective polyethylene sleeve.
Q: How far away does the remote work?
A: It varies. However, the radio frequency will usually work up to 300 feet away. If the doors are open, it will reach farther than if the doors are closed.
Q: Can I get a keypad for the outside?
A: Yes. We recommend that everyone has a Telecody keypad so that if you happen to lose a remote, you can still access the door from outside.
Installation Questions:
Q: What do I need to install the system?
A: The most important thing is to have a lift available for installation on tall doors. Other than that, an impact driver with various sockets, reciprocating saw, drill or screw gun, #3 Phillips screwdriver, fine point flat screwdriver, 3/8†deep well socket on a wrench, hammer, rotohammer, wire strippers, tape measure, pencil, scissors, small torpedo level and various wrenches, drill bit s, bit tips are all required to install the system. Other various tools are required to adjust the door. As with any construction project, always wear a hardhat, safety glasses, ear protection and gloves.
Q: If I choose to install it myself, how long will it take?
A: You will need to plan a full day with a good assistant and the right equipment, i.e., a scissors lift on doors over 12’ tall and the appropriate tools. See our installation video online to assess whether or not you have the capability to install the system. We also have an installation DVD that comes with the system. We recommend that you watch the DVD in full prior to beginning your installation process.
Q: How much does installation cost?
A: It depends on the size of the door. You can refer to our pricing schedule to see the installation prices. Pricing includes travel to and from the jobsite, installation time, one hour of adjustment time on the door, all of the appropriate tools and a scissors lift on doors 12’ and higher.
Q: Do you install anywhere in the country?
A: Yes. With thousands of installation specialists in the United States, we have authorized installers in all 50 states.
Q: Does it require power to operate?
A: Yes. Each door requires one 20 amp circuit to operate the system. Check with your local electrician to make sure that you have observed and complied with all state and local building and electrical codes.
Q: My location is pretty remote and has no power. Will you still install the opener?
A: Even if we use a generator to install it, you will still need power to operate it. If your location is very remote (beyond 3 hours from one of our installers, additional costs for drive time may be required, however, we are always looking for new installers so your remote site is a welcome challenge for us.
Q: Do I need a concrete floor to install the system?
A: You do not need a concrete floor, but you will need a concrete threshold through the opening to constrain the door on the bottom. See our Downloads page for a drawing of how to properly install a threshold or optional piers.
Propel Automated Door Systems Company Questions:
Q: I didn’t know anything like this existed. How come I’ve never heard of this before?
A: There have been other systems on the market but they have not been widely promoted due to a lack of functionality, service issues and high cost.
Q: This is a new product and I don’t like to be a Guinea pig. How can you ensure me that the system will work?
A: Propel uses the latest advancements in automated door technology. The parts and pieces have been tested and proven for many years in international markets. Propel is the first to package all of this technology into one place and market it into the sliding door operator market.
Q: How soon will the system arrive after I order it?
A: If you are installing it yourself, you will receive the system usually in about 2 weeks. However, if you are having one of our authorized installers install the system, they will arrive with the system in 4-6 weeks.
Brush Seal Questions:
Q: How does your brush seal work?
A: The brush seal works by sealing the gap around the door with a variety of brush lengths and various brush holders.
Q: How is your brush seal installed?
A: It is simply screwed into place.
Q: Does your brush seal install on the inside or on the outside of the door?
A: Either way is fine. We prefer the inside, but many seals are installed outside as well. This is really more of an aesthetic issue.
Q: How much air will your brush seal really stop?
A: It is hard to measure and it depends on installation, but brush seals are the most common type of door seal used for wide gaps.
Q: Will your brush seal stop blowing snow?
A: yes
Q: Will your brush seal stop blowing dirt and sand?
A: yes
Q: Will your brush seal get hard and brittle in the winter time?
A: No. The seal is made from an exclusive blend of black nylon fibers which allow for maximum UV exposure rating as well as freeze/thaw cycles.
Q: How long will the brush seal hold up?
A: It is hard to say, but we offer a 5 year warranty on the brush seal.
Warranty and Returns Questions:
Q: What is your warranty?
A: The operator system has a limited lifetime warranty. There is a 1-year service warranty. See our written warranty for more details.
Q: What about the brush seal?
A: There is a 5 year warranty on the brush seal.
Q: What if I bought a retail system and I can’t install it?
A: We will refer an authorized installer to assist you in completing the install.
Q: Can I return the system?
A: Yes, as long as you comply with our return policy. The policy can be found on our website under the warranty/returns section.
Troubleshooting
Q: My door will open but it won’t close. What causes this?
A: Most likely this is caused by the photo eyes. Check to make sure that the lights on the photo eyes are steady on. If they are not on, they are either not lined up to “see†each other or the connections into the control head are loose or have come undone. If they are blinking, check to see if they are slightly unaligned and then check your wires to make sure that the wires are not kinked, pinched or punctured or bare anywhere.
Q: I plugged in my system and it started “clickingâ€. Why is it doing this?
A: This is normal. They system is in the “Learn†cycle. Close the doors manually by pulling the release cord and sliding them shut. Pull the release cord again to re-engage the motor. Make sure the limits are set. NEVER OPERATE THE DOORS WITHOUT THE LIMITS BEING SET FIRST. Run the motor for two complete cycles or until the system stops “clickingâ€.
Q: Do I have to hold down the button the entire time that the door is opening or closing.
A: No. Just push the button and release it.
Q: My doors stopped operating and there are no lights visible on the control head.
A: Most likely, one of the safety features has been activated on the system. This safety feature shuts down the system for 20 minutes to reset itself. Unplug the control head. You will need to disengage the J-arm that connects the motor by removing one of the pins on either end of the J-arm (this will release the pressure on the motor). Next, pull the release cord and disengage the motor from the track. Now reconnect the J-arm and manually close the doors. Pull the cord again to re-engage the motor. Wait until the lights become visible again on the control head. Your system is now ready to operate. If this happened the first time you operated the system, you likely did not set the limit stops or set them in the wrong spots.
Q: My system is running- I can hear it, but nothing is happening. Why not?
A: If you can hear the system run but nothing is happening, the motor is disengaged from the track most likely. Pull the release cord to re-engage the motor to the track.
Q: My system “overruns†when it opens and closes and sometimes this causes it to reverse.
A: This usually caused because the track is not totally secured. Shut the doors manually by pulling the release cord to disengage the motor from the track and then close the doors. Re-engage the motor. Next, look up at the motor and push the button to open the doors and check to see if the track moves. If it does, tighten the sway brace and/or the track mounting bolts. Reset the limit stops and run the system while repeating the limit stop adjustment procedures.
Q: When I plug in my control head, no lights come on. Why not?
A: Test your outlet to make sure that you have ample power. This issue is unusual. If you have checked your outlets and you are in fact receiving 110v with 20amps of power, please call our toll free number and ask to be connected to our technical service department.
Q: My will not close completely. It shuts all but the last inch or so. Why is this?
A: Typically, this is one of three issues. First check to make sure that the limit stops are properly set to allow the doors to close completely. Second, check the center door guide for obstructions or issues by pulling the release cord and ensure that the door moves smoothly over the last two feet and completely closes without any additional force for the last inch. Make any necessary adjustments to the door or center door guide to ensure that it closes smoothly without any additional force. The third most likely cause would be that the side cinchers are set too tight. You can troubleshoot the side cinchers by removing them and see if it alleviates the issue. If it does, reinstall the cinchers and do not set them as tight.
Q: My door won’t close all the way because the bottom gusset plate or upper door arm catches the jamb. How do I fix this?
A: Adjust the door outward to increase the space between the door and the jamb to allow the upper bracket to move past the jamb freely. You only need 1/4â€-3/8†clearance between the door and the door jamb. The brush seal will easily seal this gap. On the bottom, this is caused by setting the floor track in a position that holds the door too tightly. You will need to move the floor track at the jamb to alleviate this issue.