The ratgdo encoder provides precise door position tracking using a magnetic rotor.
Mounting the Encoder to the drive gear
This method is easiest as the encoder wires can be directly connected with your ratgdo auxiliary harness.
- Mount the Rotor: Locate the drive gear or overhead door shaft on your opener. Place the blue magnetic rotor onto the shaft. It will securely stick to the metal via magnets and rotate when the door operates.
- Mount the Sensor: Place the encoder sensor housing on the metal chassis of the door opener. It attaches securely via built-in magnets.
- Position the encoder housing so that the tip of the spinning rotor passes closely by it during operation. Make sure they do not touch.
- For best results, make sure the tip of the rotor does not point directly at the sensor. (see photo)
- Test the door manually to ensure the rotor rotates freely without hitting the housing, while passing close enough to register a signal.
Mounting the Encoder to the Spring shaft
This method mounts the encoder directly to the rotating shaft of the door opener. Usually this will require an extension of the encoder's wire harness so that it can reach the ratgdo control board. The benefit with this method is that the firmware can detect if the door is opened without the door opener, e.g. the emergency handle is pulled and the door is opened manually.
Other than the physical mounting location and the extension wires, the installation instructions are the same.
Wiring the Encoder
The ratgdo control boards feature a 6-pin JST connector harness. The encoder has its own 3-pin JST wiring harness and comes with press connectors for joining the two harnesses together.
- Connect the encoder's Black wire to the (G) Ground wire on the 6-pin harness.
- Connect the encoder's White wire to the (TO) Trigger Open wire on the 6-pin harness.
- Connect the encoder's Red wire to the (TC) Trigger Closed wire on the 6-pin harness.
Calibrating the Encoder
Once the encoder is wired, you will need to calibrate the encoder travel limits by fully cycling the door in both directions. If you find that the firmware reports the wrong state (e.g. open when the door is actually closed), enable the Encoder Reverse switch in the ratgdo web UI.