Why Your All-O-Matic Gate Stops Working Every Arizona Summer
The Problem: All-O-Matic gates use standard components designed for moderate climates (70-100°F). Arizona's 118-122°F heat causes catastrophic failures that look like "normal wear and tear"—but they're actually heat damage.
Market Reality: 6% of Phoenix gates are All-O-Matic. Average lifespan: 7-10 years (rated 15-20 years).
What Should Happen: With heat-proof upgrades, your All-O-Matic gate can last 10-15 years in Arizona heat.
All-O-Matic by the Numbers
The 4 Ways Arizona Heat Destroys All-O-Matic Gates
These aren't "random failures"—they're predictable heat damage patterns we see every summer. And they're 100% preventable with the right upgrades.
Gate starts opening, then motor emits loud humming and stops. Circuit breaker trips.
All-O-Matic AC motors (not DC) draw high starting current that increases 15-20% in extreme heat due to reduced motor efficiency and increased resistance in windings.
AC motors are less heat-tolerant than DC motors. At 120°F ambient, motor windings reach 180-200°F during operation. Copper wire resistance increases with temperature (0.4% per °F). This creates a vicious cycle: heat → higher resistance → higher current draw → more heat → breaker trip. All-O-Matic's thermal overload trips at 165°F to prevent motor burnout. In Phoenix, motors hit this threshold by 3-4pm daily, April-October.
We upgrade to oversized 20% duty-cycle AC motors (vs. standard 15%) that run cooler under load. Also install soft-start modules that reduce inrush current by 60%, preventing breaker trips. For high-use installations (gated communities, commercial), we retrofit DC motor systems that draw 40% less power and run 50°F cooler. Includes upgraded circuit breakers rated for 125°F ambient (vs. 105°F standard).
Exit loop doesn't detect vehicles—people have to manually press exit button or reverse in to trigger gate.
All-O-Matic loop detectors use frequency-based detection that drifts out of calibration when components overheat, reducing sensitivity by 40-60%.
Loop detector boards contain inductors and capacitors that set resonant frequency (typically 20-50 kHz). Heat changes component values—capacitors lose capacitance, inductors shift. Resonant frequency drifts by 2-5 kHz, putting it outside detection range. Low-profile cars (sports cars, Priuses) no longer trigger loop. Problem worsens over time as components age. After 3-4 Arizona summers, loops become unreliable. Gate stays closed, blocking exit traffic.
Replace standard loop detectors with microprocessor-based 'smart' detectors that auto-tune frequency in real-time to compensate for temperature drift. These use digital signal processing (vs. analog circuits) and work reliably from -40°F to 165°F. Also upgrade loop wire to 14 AWG stranded (vs. 18 AWG solid) which handles thermal expansion better. For problematic installations, we install wireless exit sensors that eliminate loops entirely.
Gate closes partially then reopens, or refuses to close at all. Shadow loop constantly triggered.
All-O-Matic shadow loops (prevent gate from closing on vehicles) use saw-cut wire in asphalt that shifts position as pavement expands, creating false detections.
Arizona asphalt expands 1/8 to 1/4 inch in 120°F heat. Shadow loop wire (installed in shallow saw-cuts 2-3 inches deep) shifts toward rebar reinforcement in concrete beneath. Metal rebar interferes with magnetic field, triggering false 'vehicle present' signals. Gate thinks a car is under it and refuses to close. Causes huge backups at gated communities—residents waiting 5-10 minutes for gate to close between cycles.
Install 'presence' sensors (radar-based) on gate underside that detect actual vehicles via Doppler shift, not magnetic fields. These mount above ground—no saw-cutting, no wire, no rebar interference. Work flawlessly in 120°F+ heat. For existing shadow loops, we can add thermal compensation modules, but radar sensors are the permanent solution. ROI: saves property managers 20+ hours per year of resident complaints.
Gate moves slower in summer than winter. Takes 30 seconds to open vs. 15 seconds.
All-O-Matic uses gearbox oil (not grease) that thins to water-like viscosity at 115°F+, reducing lubrication effectiveness and increasing friction.
Gearbox oil rated for 'all-season' use assumes moderate climate (-10°F to 100°F). Phoenix exceeds this by 20°F. Oil viscosity drops from 90W to 30W equivalent as it heats. Thinner oil = more metal-on-metal contact = higher friction = slower gate movement and increased wear. After 3-4 summers, gearboxes develop excessive play, making gates wobble during operation. You hear clunking sounds at direction changes.
Drain existing oil and refill with high-temp synthetic gear oil (150W equivalent) that maintains viscosity to 200°F. We use Royal Purple Max-Gear or Mobil 1 synthetic—same oils used in racing transmissions and heavy equipment operating in desert conditions. Also replace worn bushings and shim excessive play. Gate returns to factory speed (15-18 seconds) and operates smoothly. Change oil every 3 years vs. 'lifetime fill' myth.
Complete All-O-Matic Heat-Proof Upgrades
Don't replace individual parts as they fail. Upgrade the entire system once and forget about it for 10+ years.
The Heat-Proof Package
DIY Troubleshooting Your All-O-Matic Gate
Try These Steps First
Check if motor is hot after operating—if yes, thermal overload may be tripping
Test exit loop: drive over it slowly—gate should trigger immediately
Listen for grinding/clunking during operation (indicates gear wear)
Verify circuit breaker isn't warm/hot to touch (oversized load issue)
Check gearbox oil level through sight glass (if equipped)—should be at 'FULL' line
Call a Professional When...
Motor hums but gate doesn't move
Circuit breaker trips repeatedly
Exit loop doesn't detect vehicles reliably
Gate closes then reopens (shadow loop issue)
Gate speed decreased significantly from new
Burning smell from motor housing
Don't waste time and money replacing parts that will fail again from heat damage.
Call for Free DiagnosisCommon Issues by All-O-Matic Model
Different models have different weak points in Arizona heat
All-O-Matic AC500
All-O-Matic SL100DC
All-O-Matic AT500
Get Your FREE Heat-Proof Diagnostic
We'll inspect your All-O-Matic gate, identify heat damage, and provide a written estimate for heat-proof upgrades. No pressure, no gimmicks—just honest assessment from Arizona's gate heat specialists.