How to Measure the Potentiometer on a Ranger HD Actuator

Overview

In this article you will learn how to measure the potentiometer (POT) on a Ranger HD actuator. This test is done whenever the gate operator is having issues stopping in the correct location or it tries running in the wrong direction. Taking these measurements and comparing them to the stroke length of the actuator will help determine whether or not the actuator arm is the cause of the limit issues. These sort of issues can be caused by the main circuit board as well, so additional steps outside of this test may be necessary to identify where the problem is coming from.

Applies to Part Number(s)

510006

What You Need

Digital multi-meter capable of reading up to 10k Ohms
Tape measure (or some other way to measure the length of the silver rod on the actuator)

Procedure

Identify the Problematic Actuator

You may skip this step if you only have a single gate.

If you have a dual gate you first need to identify which actuator is having the problem.

Unplug the actuator from 'Gate 2'
Operate the gate. Only one gate should move.

If this gate operates correctly, the 'Gate 1' actuator is working and the 'Gate 2' actuator is the problem.
If this gate does NOT operate correctly, the 'Gate 1' actuator is the problem and the 'Gate 2' actuator is working.

Confirm your findings by reversing the plugs. Plug 'Gate 1' back in and disconnect 'Gate 2'
Operate the gate again. The 'Gate 2' actuator should now move.

If 'Gate 1' was working correctly before, 'Gate 2' should now run incorrectly.
If 'Gate 1' was NOT working correctly before, 'Gate 2' should now run correctly.

Disconnect the actuator arm from the circuit board

Once the problematic actuator has been identified, disconnect it from the circuit board.

Set the Multi-Meter to Ohms

The ohms symbol looks like this: Ω (upside down horseshoe).

Some meters will automatically 'range' when taking measurements, others will need to be set manually. If you have multiple options on the Ohm setting, select the '20k' setting. Also, make sure the red lead of the meter is plugged into the port labelled with the Ohms symbol and the black lead in the port labelled 'COM'. Here is an example with the correct setting and which ports to use circled.

Measure the Actuator Cable

You will be measuring across 3 of the different wires in the actuator plug in pairs. These wires are green, orange, and white. Insert one lead into each of the listed wires in the plug. Which lead of the multimeter touches which wire does not matter, just use either lead for either wire. The meter should display a reading once each wire is touched, note the reading down. These readings will be compared to the stroke length of the actuator in the next step.

Green & Orange (GO)
Orange & White (OW)
White & Green (WG)

Your meter may display 'OL' or '1.' when taking these measurements. This could mean your range setting on the meter is not set correctly.

Measure the Stroke Length of the Actuator

Measure from the end of the black tube to the end of the silver rod.

Checking the Measurements

The 'green to orange' measurement should be about 10k Ohms while the 'orange to white' and 'white to green' should add up to about 10k. Keep in mind these readings will vary depending on where your actuator is positioned. Here is an example of a good reading:

Green & Orange: 10.01k

Orange & White: 8.68k

White & Green: 1.33k

Given these readings look right, compare the 'white to green' measurement to the stroke length of the arm using the chart below. The measurement will vary depending on where the actuator is positioned.

If the measurement is far off what it should be according to the chart or you see 'OL' on any measurements, please contact our Support team at (972) 221-7000 for assistance.

Extension Rod Length	Green to White Measurement
2.5	0.91
3	1.092
4	1.332
5	1.6
6	1.82
7	2.08
8	2.33
9	2.58
10	2.83
11	3.08
12	3.32
13	3.57
14	3.82
15	4.06
16	4.32
17	4.57
18	4.81
19	5.06
20	5.32
21	5.56
22	5.83
23	6.06
24	6.29
25	6.57