Not really in term of reliability for submerged version. My old house been using it many years no problems. My in law house been using it before y2k, never been repair on the system. Only problem was the transmitter and receiver which I help them replace it and only hundred plus sold in Lelong.

Key is get the reliable unit and good installation service. It go long time. Don't look only the cheap first time installation but reliable and good service.

For me anything can last > 5 years is already good enough...maybe I do too much capex budgeting.

i would like chioose DC Moto 925W. Do you know where i can get in KL? BTW I just use back developer mild steel only. Is it no problem with using back mild steel?

This post has been edited by petlu28: Jun 17 2013, 12:11 PM

No problem.

Even old gates works.

Here is a picture of it. Dated 2009. GFM905SE

One more photo to show you how big the gate it could handle.

Do you know how much can get in KL include installation. Wiring will done by wiring contractor.

If you are seriously looking at a DCMOTO hybrid type system then consider CASA ASIA as well. Basically both adopt the same concept of having a rotating arm driven from a planetary gear system instead of having a screw gear design. CASA ASIA is an offshoot company from DCMOTO and they have developed a similar system to the DCMOTO system which they claim have improvements from the lessons learnt from the DCMOTO system.

In comparing both systems side-by-side I find the CASA ASIA mechanism to be quieter and overall smoother.

These 2 companies manufacture their products in Penang and general repairs within Klang valley takes a longer time unless the local vendor has spare parts stocked locally on their own account. Otherwise most arm gate vendors would have plenty of spare parts available as their systems are less specialise and they usually have a 1 for 1 exchange policy with their principal armgate manufacturer.


Pros and Cons of these hybrid planetary gear systems.

PROS
====
1. Neater and simpler installation as motor is hidden behind column and gate arm is relatively slender
2. Quieter operation from planetary gear system


CONS
=====
1. More complicated gear system.
2. Not a conventional system that can be maintained or repaired by just any autogate contractor
3. Spare parts only available directly from manufacturer or through their authorised resellers, as a result repair will take longer and and spare parts cost would pricing would be higher

Do you have any information photo or video can show us? May i know how much + installation?

This post has been edited by petlu28: Jun 17 2013, 01:21 PM

I'm not sure KL pricing is how much to be exact. Wiring can be done by the installer or you can engage a wiring contractor.

Well Planetary Gear system has been adopted by armgate system too. I've seen the internal gearbox of armgate and DCMoto, Casa Asia.

Only big difference is the gear size! Armgate tend to have smaller gear size/gearbox to fit inside an armgate due to the long screw driven arm.

DCMoto and Casa Asia uses vertical mount planetary gear system in which they have bigger gear size to withstand wear and tear usage.

Regarding the complex of gearbox spare parts is bunch of BULLSHIT! You can obtain spare parts to be replace or send back for warranty and repair like any other armgate system. Reason behind why armgate system employ 1 to 1 exchange because is a big hassle to dissemble to replace just a single part. Due to the compact size, you can imagine how cramp the internal system is.

Btw Armgate system mostly made in china and local assembly. China have mass-production of this motor system.

DCMoto and Casa Asia is made in Penang and local assembly. I've been to both manufacture factory and seen with my own eye.

If you look at a typical DCMOTO or CASA ASIA system, you can see that it has quite a number of custom moving parts (I count over 20 separate gear interfaces)


I could not find a comparative photo for an typical armgate system. However it is relatively simple which has a motor driving a simple gearbox and in turn driving a long metal machined screw that is very rugged. The motor can fail, the gearbox sometimes fail, but I've never seen a screw gear fail!

Availability of spare parts is relative. Since DCMOTO & CASA MOTO are the ONLY manufacturers of planetary gear based system within the country, and both these companies are based in Penang, for users within Klang Valley availability of parts is not as easily obtainable as compared to Armgate systems which you can practically find everywhere from Pasar Rd or through a simple google search.

Check with any installer in KL and most likely they would have spare parts and expertise to install and repair a standard armgate system. Does not matter if it is a OEA armgate, D'nor armgate, E8 arm gate, Jackpro armgate, Stagnoli armgate. their basic design is the same and their major systems and components are the same. i.e. mounting arms, armgate actuators, control board, receiver board, batteries etc.

I.e. ALL autogate installers would be able to install and repair a typical underground or arm gate system, even if I went down to Pasar Road by myself I could pick up the parts that I need to repair a typical armgate system. i.e. I could pick up the motors, the entire arm, the control boards, the remotes etc. However I would not be able to just find a replacement planetary gear of control board for a DCMOTO or CASA ASIA system on my own without going through the principal in Penang or through one of their resellers within the KL.

Just for your reference:-
================
* OEA is the grand daddy of armgate system which is manufactured in Ipoh. very consistent quality however the haven't changed their designs of their Model-333 system for as long as I've known the company. Chances are most installers will know this system very well.

* Jackpro is a armgate system that is manufacture in Puchong. they've come out quite a few designs in the past 6-7 years however have not developed much installer loyalty as they also sell & install their products directly to the end user. As a result installer support for this product has been pretty patchy.

* E8/Energy armgate system is manufacture in USJ. quite a common system that is sold and branded under many installers own brand.

* D'Nor armgate system. manufactured in Belakong. another established armgate system that is sold direct as well as branded under installer's own label.

Our family home have been using autogate system for the past 30 years, starting with some obscure Australian system, followed by Westmark, then Celmer and we are currently using a Hermes Stagnoli armgate system. Each leaf of the gate is over 9 feet wide and 8 feet tall weighting about 120KGs and supported to the wall column via 3 x 3.5 inch bearings. i.e. it is a damn heavy gate and it puts a big strain on the autogate system. What we've learnt over the years is that any system you get will not last forever. if you have a simple light gate and you look after if well you'll be lucky to get 7-10 years out of your autogate. If you have a heavy gate like mine, it will require repairs every now an then (e.g. we've had lighting strike - i.e. replace control boards, every 2 years the batteries need to be replaced, we've had to replace motors (burnt out), we've had to replaced gearboxes (on the stagnoli system). A very important consideration for me is the ease of maintenance of the system.. Armgates for now are the simplest in design, the parts are easy and cheap to come by, it is easy to find installers and repairers that know the system and if all fails, the entire replacement effort and cost is relatively low compared to other systems.

In my experience with our armgate system, when it breaks down the installer comes and if it is a problem with the arm itself. it takes them less than 30mins to replace the arm and send the defective unit back for warrantee claims or repairs. I.e. life continues and there is minimal downtime to jeopardise our convenience or personal safety. However I've checked with most installers (this was 2 years back) and they do not maintain spare DCMOTO/CASA-ASIA entire motor/arm unit as spares as the unit cost to maintain a spare is prohibitively high i.e. if a DCMOTO/CASA-ASIA system fails, unless the installer happens to have a standby unit available, chances are your gate will not be operational while the entire unit is sent back to Penang for warrantee claims or repairs.


This post has been edited by weitatt: Jun 17 2013, 11:04 PM

For your reference :

- DCMoto has been in this autogate system way longer than OAE. OAE started in business somewhere 2003. I've already installed DCMoto arm-type motor way back in 2001.
- DCMoto has been using DIGITAL TIMING control board since year 2000 for their ARM type. What does digital timing means that it uses programmed 0.5sec stepping for High Speed.
- OAE control panel is using varistor to tune the timing for high speed, inaccurate and tends to wear off in years to go.
- OAE wasn't the grand daddy of ARM gate, they copy idea from other great grand daddy of ARM type manufacture. I've been to OAE factory back in 2003. In one section of the R&D test, I saw other brand competitor arm type lying dissembled.
- OAE uses planetary gearbox back in old days. But is constructed in a very much smaller foot print, I've dissemble it to prove that is using planetary gearbox. Only the current OAE uses a much more simple gearbox but stress on the motor.

If you had seem what is inside the arm-type gearbox, you find out how small it is the gearbox. Do you think smaller gears can handle well in the long run? Of course you have seen that big screwed shaft, whats the point? It's all driven by those tiny gears found inside the gearbox. You'll be surprised how big is arm-type gearbox. Nothing longer than your conventional match box length!

I do not dispute that DCMOTO/CASA ASIA have a more sophisticated system compared to a typical armgate system. When we replaced our autogate system 3 years back it was a toss up between CASA ASIA (Which is like DCMOTO with a better gear system, smoother & quieter), OEA & Stagnoli Hermes system. When we evaluated the CASA ASIA system availability or spares, the relatively higher cost, limited support in KL as well as relative complexity of the system was a deterrent. It's like a choice better getting a fancy Alpha Romeo or a boring old Toyota, My Toyota does not go very fast or has a very complicate engine or drivetrain. however when it breaks down I can send it to any workshop, get standard pricing on spare parts and don't have to worry that I will have to take a bus for 1-2 weeks whilst the mechanics are looking for spare parts for my car!

So every consumer has their personal preferences.

If you want sophisticate systems there' DCMOTO, CASA-ASIA, Stagnolli, FAAC and whole bunch of Italian makes.

If you prefer ease of maintenance and lower overall cost of ownership then the simpler, ubiquitous armgate system from the local manufacturers would be a more practical choice.

I would be interested to find out what the replacement cost of a single CASA-ASIA motor/gearbox/arm system would be compared to a armgate system's arm which ranges from RM250-RM400 for an entire arm replacement.

This post has been edited by weitatt: Jun 17 2013, 11:35 PM

Thanks Jimmy, very informative. I'm sold.
I'm in klang, does anyone has good installer contact can introduce? Appreciate if anyone can pm the contract.

In terms of pricing for spare parts, it also have to consider how much the dealers are selling too. ARM-type usually forced to replace the whole arm unit due to the complexity and non serviceable parts. For RM 250 most probably to get you a recondition arm type motor, RM 400 I would believe is a brand new arm type. But that's the price for one arm. Normal swing/fold system have two arms. If both arm break-down, is double the price you mention.

Compared with DCMoto/Casa Asia using planetary gearbox. It's like staged modular gearbox. Parts are replaceable, doesn't force the owner to have the complete motor system to be replaced! Usual parts that wears out is the main gear reducer. Probably last 3-5 years before it require replacement. For your information, I've never replace a complete DCMoto motor system to date! What If the DCMoto/Casa Asia faulty is just a few piece of gears which can be replaced probably around rm 100 or less for each side, you wouldn't have to force yourself replace the whole motor system.

If you're worried about unable to find spare parts for DCMoto/Casa Asia, you can always log in to their website & contact them. They will assist you on getting the spare parts. I've haven't heard of hard to get spare parts from them.

The reason DCMoto customized their circuit board is to make it perfect for customer demand for safety, reliability, featured-wise and smoothness. DCMoto has been coming up with generation of circuit board to fine-tune it. Have you seen a auto-gate system circuit board that is pure plug-play? Any ARM-type system requires you to adjust the sensitivity of the arm forcing to push/pull the gate. DCMoto/Casa Asia doesn't need that, wire up the motor cable, power up and let it "LEARN" the first time for auto calibration. Since it runs on programmed digital timing, it will never go wrong with the gate movement.

The prices I quoted (RM250-RM400) are the price of new arm replacement cost within Klang Valley from different local manufacturers (e.g. Jackpro, OEA, D'Nor, E8) which can be found at resellers around the Sg.Besi area in KL. Likelyhood of both arms breaking down within the service life of the system is relatively low and if it is sui enough to happen it's cheaper to get an entire replacement kit (2 arms, brackets, control board, housing, receiver unit, 3 remotes) for less than RM800 if you have access to the distributers in KL. Most installers in KL are offering yearly maintenance contracts/warrantees which cover the entire system as well as to provide emergency response service. I've opted for a yearly maintenance package myself as our autogate has experience lighting strikes, water seepage, battery replacements, control board replacement, receiver board replacements during it's last 30 years of service.

I do not doubt that you can get parts for CASA-ASIA, however they are less readily available here in KL as I cannot just walk into a reputable store in Sg.Besi and buy the part that I need. I will have to contact CASA-ASIA through the website (they don't even list their address or contact number in Penang). The other point which I've been trying to find out without much success is how much is the replacement cost of an motor/gearbox/arm unit from CASA ASIA? I would estimate that it would be somewhere in the region of RM500-RM600 but I have yet to be able to get any installer to quote me a replacement cost price. Most installers in KL do no stock these systems as spares and in the event of failure of the unit the autogate will be out of service until the defective unit has been repaired. However most likely they would have 2-3 units of complete arm gate units as spare in the boot of their car ready to put into service on your gate within less than 30 mins.

I would like to know definitively the spare part cost of components for a typical DCMOTO/CASA-ASIA system. e.g How for the much for the control board? How much for the motor? how much for a motor/gearbox/arm unit? How much for the remote control? For a typical armgate system these are more or less commodity items and the prices are standard are readily available. I've search the entire Internet and check with many installers and I still cannot find any information of the spare parts cost for a DCMOTO/CASA-ASIA system.

This post has been edited by weitatt: Jun 18 2013, 10:29 AM

A product can be out of the world, but with lousy, hard to access, and slow services is useless.

A product can be lousy, but come with good support, easy access, and quick service, it still useless.

Is a balance. I choose OAE because is easier access by many installer, I don't need state of the art, look futuristic. I want something reliable, easy get parts, not lock down to any person. And best of all, My remote can be use @my house, and my mom house. Don't have to carry any spare remote.

Also any problem with the receiver, just buy from Muday / Lelong do self repair. Upgrade to bigger capacity battery longer standby time. All this self upgrade.

Is about balance and what the home owner want. No right or wrong. As long I don't have to call service every alternate months.

Man, why I have negative thaught when keep on reading here.

What you guy keep telling here is so unreliable the auto gate. Can't last long, spare part problem, gear breakdown, suck service bla bla bla.

Should I just use back manually comeout from the car open the gate? Rather have many decade long history autogate but still suck?

Just like owning a car. It provides convenience when it works, however it will not last forever and it has to be maintain regularly like everything else mechanical. If a autogate can work trouble free for 5-7 years it's considered very good. chances are there will be minor repairs during the course of using the gate. Imagine if you open and close the gate say 3000 cycles in a year, that would be over 15,000 -20,000 cycles in the course of using the gate throughout it's service life.

Nowaday really much brands & hard to choose which one suitable. I am sure not all customer know well about the product before purchase it.

Fortunately it's much easier these day. Products, specifications, pricing, user reviews, user forum all easily accessible on the Internet. It's much easier to make an informed decision.

I hope those have use before or currently use will give more reviews. I think this is important.