Dyco Tech Electrical in Mudgeeraba, Queensland, Australia | Businesses

Dyco Tech Electrical

Locality: Mudgeeraba, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 404 782 092

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25.01.2022 Piggy back electric fence mounted to Cllearvu fencing to give extra security.

23.01.2022 Our ancestors didn’t have access to the advanced technology that we often take for granted. They couldn’t just go home (which was, in all likelihood, a cave in the side of a mountain), kick off their shoes and watch some Netflix for a couple of hours. The closest they got to streaming entertainment was wrestling a salmon from the jaws of a sabretooth tiger on the banks of a thundering river that could, at any given moment, pluck them both from where they stood and swallow the...m whole. Fortunately, modern life doesn’t have too many sabretooth tigers and one can just pop into the nearest sushi bar if one is in the mood for fish. Need some entertainment? There’s no need to invent fire or anything. Just flick on the Apple TV. The point is, contemporary life is geared towards convenience and peace of min This is possible thanks to innovations such as: Battery-driven operation: Our Gate Motors are battery-driven, affording you the ultimate in power failure autonomy. . Solar-readiness CENTURION access automation solutions integrate seamlessly with solar equipment. Perfect for remote installations with no mains power Wireless connectivity Connect a G-ULTRA GSM device and receive live notifications of your gate status, mains power, electric fence, alarm and much more! Position sensing Your CENTURION gate motor is intelligent, and continually monitors the position of the gate relative to the origin marker, so you don’t have to worry about it malfunctioning and bashing into the end-stops. Intruder-detection Alarms CENTURION D-Series operators come standard with built-in intruder-detection alarms, which will notify you via an onboard alarm or third party device (for example, via a push notification if you have a G-ULTRA connected and have installed the free G-REMOTE app) if the gate safety beams are being obstructed.

23.01.2022 Take Peace of Mind With You Will you housesit for me? Please? As someone who’s been on the receiving end of this accursed request many, many times, I can attest to the awkwardness felt in equal measures by both parties arising from either having someone invade the sanctum sanctorum of one’s home, or having to remember to feed the blasted goldfish twice a day, depending on which side of the request one is on....Continue reading

22.01.2022 Tips for Securing Your Entrance Gate Those of you who are active on social media, would no-doubt have seen the recent, much-circulated CCTV footage showing an armed intruder invading the home of talk show presenter David O’Sullivan and after being greeted by a rather amorous black Labrador proceeding to rob David’s wife Jacqui of her jewelry. The thug his face obscured by a bandanna and peak cap appears to gain entrance to the O’ Sullivans’ property by pinning the ent...Continue reading

22.01.2022 Upgrade of Guest House in Edenvale.

21.01.2022 Upgrade fuse box to switchboard

20.01.2022 A Brief History of Wireless Communication. Despite being widely considered as one of the vanguards of what has become known as the Digital or Information Age, wireless technology has been with us much longer than one might think. While it has certainly undergone many different permutations and has evolved to the point of forming the backbone of virtually all social, political and economic structures, wireless communication was actually pioneered in the 19th century by the ch...ief innovators of the day. One of the most important contributors in the field of wireless communication was none other than Scotsman Alexander Graham Bell, commonly credited with being the inventor of the telephone. Around 1880, Bell and his collaborator Charles Sumner Tainter were awarded a patent for the photophone, a sort of transmission system that conducted audio conversations wirelessly over modulated light beams. Roughly a decade later, Guglielmo Marconi, building upon the groundwork of German physicist Heinrich Hertz (after whom the unit for measuring frequency is named), started using radio waves to transmit signals over great distances, an innovation that led to Marconi and Karl Ferdinand Braun winning the 1909 Nobel Prize for Physics. Today, the transmission of radio signals is still widely used in wireless communication, most prominently in mobile telephony. As the field continues to evolve, we are seeing the emergence of ever more robust and flexible wireless protocols facilitating a wide variety of applications.

20.01.2022 Winter-proof Your Installation If, like this author, you live in the Southern Hemisphere, chances are you’ve been cursing your alarm clock more than usual when it pipes up like some ill-tempered parakeet in the mornings, tentatively sampling the frigid air with a single big toe before deciding to silence the parakeet and return once more to the realms of Lord Hypnos. It’s winter, and that means seemingly permanent darkness and general unhappiness (this is starting to sound li...Continue reading

17.01.2022 In stanza one of his celebrated poem Preludes, T.S. Elliot painted a vivid (albeit rather grim) picture of winter in the city, writing of the smell of steaks in passageways. Of course, Elliot was attempting to convey the feeling of hopelessness felt by city-dwellers of that era as they went about their dreary lives in a cold, uncaring environment. Nowadays, we equate the smell of meat being cooked on a fire with that most wonderful seasonal tradition: the summer barbecue. Y...es, summer is almost here, bringing with it warmer weather, longer days and lazy afternoons spent relaxing poolside. What’s not to love? Below, we’ve listed a few tips to help you ensure that your gate motor enjoys the coming summer just as much as you do. Lightning protection There’s something so magical about summer rainstorms. The smell of wet tarmac, the crisp, cool air, the gentle crackle of sizzling ozonethere’s nothing quite like it. Of course, it all becomes a whole lot less romantic when the smell of steaks in passageways is replaced by the smell of burning electronics. Protect your gate motor against lightning strikes and power surges with our exceptionally user-friendly and reliable plug ‘n play surge protector. Creepy crawlies With the days heating up, lizards, mice and other diminutive members of the animal kingdom will be seeking shelter from the sun, and the cool interior of a gate motor may just be turned into a makeshift gazebo for Gary the Gecko. Unfortunately, creepy crawlies can short out exposed gate motor electronics, so be sure to regularly clean out your gate motor’s housing to prevent the ingress of insects and other critters. Water When having a gate motor installed, it’s important to ensure that provision is made for proper drainage so as to prevent the inside of the unit from becoming flooded or waterlogged. Thanks to some very clever engineering, the inside of the D5-Evo sliding gate motor forms an air bell around the electrical motor and controller in the event of water ingress. Keeping the track clean Rain and wind can deposit debris such as stones, leaves and dirt onto the gate track, which could result in the gate motor picking up an obstruction. It’s a good idea especially after a storm to take a broom to the gate track and give it a good sweep to ensure that the gate moves unimpeded.

17.01.2022 What it means when your gate motor "Beeps". If you ever come across a beeping gate motor, don’t be offended. It isn’t hurling a series of censored expletives at you, and we promise you that you aren’t being sworn at. You aren’t being subjected to the radio edit of a rap song. In fact, beeping is just the machine’s way of telling you that it’s run into a spot of trouble and is in need of attention, and it’s very important to pay attention to the exact sequence of beeps ema...nating from the controller. This is what they mean: Three beeps: the battery is running low This error is especially common following heavy thunderstorms. What tends to happen, is that the power supply is struck by lightning (or, in less severe cases, the circuit merely trips) and the battery is no longer being charged. The motor may continue to run, but will warn you of a potential battery-low shutdown by emitting three short beeps every couple of seconds. You can safeguard your gate motor electronics by outfitting it with one of our new plug ‘n play surge protectors. Two beeps: mains failure The majority of our gate motors are battery-driven, meaning that the primary source is either a single 12V battery, or two batteries connected in series, depending on the particular model. In theory, this means that they can operate without mains power. However, a mains supply is needed in order to keep the battery in a charged state. In the event of a power failure, for example due to load-shedding or the power supply (charger) being damaged by, say, lightning, your Centurion gate motor will periodically emit two short beeps until power is restored. Four beeps: multiple collisions A collision in the context of gate automation can take many different forms. It could mean that the gate has picked up an actual obstruction, for example, a rock or piece of wood on the track, or it could point to some problem with the internal drive circuitry. Whatever the cause, four beeps generally mean that something has prevented the gate from completing a full opening or closing cycle, and you should refer to the LCD screen for additional information.

15.01.2022 Replacing a camera in a very beautiful location.

15.01.2022 Get Locked 'n Loaded with GateLox The co-existing worlds of film and literature are filled with examples of heroic pairings: dynamic duos with complementary abilities generally employed for the good of Mankind. Sherlock Holmes has the erudite, gentlemanly Dr Watson to bring balance to his chaotic and overly analytical and emotionally detached world, Batman has Robin adding an element of youthful optimism to his world-weary and cynical approach to crime-solving, and Tony Stark... has one really imposing goatee. We’re not really sure why. These characters only exist within the realm of fiction and their respective creators’ imaginations, mind you, and it’s highly unlikely that they’ll appear in a flash of lightning and dramatic music should you ever find yourself faced with the criminal type. You need a real superhero team. One like the heroic pairing of your gate motor and the all-new, all-powerful GateLox electric gate lock. GateLox has been developed for both swing and sliding gates and interfaces seamlessly with the gate motor system, unlocking the moment the gate starts to open and locking securely when it closes again. It also incorporates a key-operated barrel lock allowing for convenient manual override. But, before we delve into what makes the formidable GateLox the Thor to your gate motor’s Captain America (because, let’s face it, they are equally awesome), let’s take a very brief look at some of the other lock types on the market today. Door strikes Unobtrusive but offers very little real strength and security Rim locks Bulky and unsightly Not very strong, either No positive engagement between the door and its frame certainly not the right solution if the gate is automated Magnetic locks Draws constant current resource-heavy No built-in manual override (key release) Very weak in shear, so certainly not the right choice when locking two swing gate leaves together The cabling to the lock has to be guarded if these are cutgoodbye security! Why choose GateLox? Improved mechanical design featuring rotating cam mechanism which positively engages the either its frame or other leaf Solenoid drive for extremely reliable electrical release of the lock Lock only draws current when it is required to release, making it ideal for high-volume usage Manual override with built-in key release Flush mounting into gate frame for unobtrusive installation Robust, stainless steel construction for all-weather and coastal installations Designed for both automated/motorised and manually-operated gates Low-force lock engagement ensures reliable operation, even at the tip of a wide gate Models available for swing gates and sliding gates in both left- and right-hand configurations

14.01.2022 LOAD SHEDDING DARKENING YOUR MOOD? LET CENTURION HELP! Raise your hand if the following scenario sounds familiar: You’ve been sitting in your office without aircon or coffee for the past three hours, and you’re ready to hit the highway and get the weekend started. But all the traffic lights are out, and you spend the next hour and a half sitting in peak hour traffic with a migraine hatching at the base of your skull. All you want to do is get home and kick off your shoes in f...ront of the television which will greet you with stony indifference when you press the remote button. Load shedding has struck again. At least if you have a CENTURION fitted, getting into your property is one thing you won’t have to worry about. Battery backup to the rescue! CENTURION gate motors can run on battery power alone for up to 24 hours (depends on usage), ensuring that load shedding won’t leave you out in the cold (or blistering heat). If you are concerned that prolonged power shedding will damage your battery, a useful battery saver module (CP107) that electronically disconnects all devices drawing current from it, is available. We’d also like to take this opportunity to remind you that the vast majority of our operators are solar-ready and that a wide range solar products is available

14.01.2022 Be on the Lookout for this New Modus Operandi Used by Robbers Most criminals are, first and foremost, opportunists, and their primary objective is to render their intended victim completely helpless so that he or she may be easily overpowered. In many respects, criminals are like spiders (although the aforementioned noble arachnid immobilises its prey out of necessity, and never out of mere greed), spinning a web in which to capture their hapless prey, and then striking, thei...r fangs dripping with killing poison. Centurion has learned of a new, ever more nefarious modus operandi employed by hijackers and armed robbers whereby a thick cable-tie is used to jam electric gates so that the homeowner is forced to leave his or her car to investigate why the gate is not opening, at which point they are confronted by the (often armed) assailant. According to Constable Maq Dladla from the Randburg SAPS, there’s been a sharp increase in this sort of attack in the Sandton area. Recently, explains Const. Dladla security in the area noticed that driveway robbery victims couldn’t access their properties when arriving home. When alighting their vehicles, they found that their gate’s ability to open had been prevented [sic] due to suspects securing cable ties, binding the gate to the fence or frame. As a result, the gate cannot be opened immediately. Drivers alight their vehicles and, whilst attempting to break off the cable ties, are then accosted by armed criminals who rob them of their jewellery, small electronics, etc. He goes on to caution residents against leaving the safety of their vehicles, and stresses the importance of remaining vigilant at all times. Residents with palisade fencing or gates designed in such a way that this method could possibly be used (fixed frames/brackets around the gate) need to be aware. I’d suggest brightening headlights to enable the driver to spot the cable or tape used. This may also alert any residents already home to your presence. In addition, remain vigilant to suspicious persons at your near the gate. If tape, cable or any other interference is spotted, drive away and call for assistance from the SAPS or security to remove it. Alternatively, if someone is already home, drive away and telephonically ask them to remove the obstruction from the inside of the premises, but stress that they should not carry the remote with them when going out to the gate. As an additional security measure, Centurion recommends using the Break-in Alarm feature (found on Centurion D-Series gate motors) and interfacing with a GSM module so that an SMS alert is sent to residents whenever the infrared gate safety beams on the outside of the property are obstructed.

14.01.2022 Guest House Re-wire Edenvale

14.01.2022 Two entrance cameras connected to seven monitors installed in separate business park units.

13.01.2022 WHAT EXACTLY IS A POWER SURGE? Unless you really, really enjoy the ambience created by candlelight, or you’re a bona fide vampire, chances are you’re pretty relieved when the power comes back on after a lengthy outage. That is, until you try to switch the TV on for that Master Chef finale but the only thing showing is the darkest hour, and we’re not talking about the celebrated Churchill biopic starring Gary Oldman. To add insult to injury, your olfactory centre might even be... assaulted by the grim smell of fried electronic components. A power surge is when there is a sudden spike in your house’s electricity supply. While brief typically around a thousandth of a second the boost in current can irreparably damage sensitive electronics, especially if they aren’t sufficiently protected. Lightning is the biggest culprit, but power that is restored post-outage can also cause a power surge.

13.01.2022 New Modus Operandi Used in Break-in There is an episode of Golden Globe-winning sitcom The Big Bang Theory in which the delightfully misanthropic Dr Sheldon Cooper, during one of his famous tirades, compares his latest archenemy and the object of Leonard’s affection, Leslie Winkle, to comic book villains such as Dr Doom, Dr Octopus and Dr Sivana, commenting on how curious it is that so many super villains have advanced degrees. ‘Graduate schools should do a better job of scre...Continue reading

12.01.2022 Plug ‘n Play and Walk Away with CENTURION’s New Surge Protector Plug ‘n Play and Walk Away with CENTURION’s New Surge Protector While summer and its accompanying thunderstorms may be a good two months away, the country’s power supply hasn’t exactly been stable of late, with widespread load-shedding plunging many households into darkness for extended periods of time.... Besides the obvious inconvenience of power outages (and the attendant traffic nightmare!), the voltage spike when the power comes back on can irreparably damage electronic equipment, including gate motor controllers. Introducing our brand new plug-in surge protector for gate motors. This incredibly clever device simply plugs into your mains connector, and offers reliable protection against lightning strikes, voltage spikes and incoming power fluctuations. In the spirit of making our clients’ lives easier, we wanted a solution that would integrate seamlessly with our gate motors and require minimal effort on the part of the installer or homeowner. CENTURION’s brand new surge protector, a filter capacitor, is a true plug ‘n play device and can be effortlessly integrated with existing gate automation equipment, providing reliable protection against power spikes. Main features Protects your gate motor against power surges with built-in surge protection High surge capability Saves you time with effortless installation and compact design Superior reliability via effective filtration Enhances safety with fire hazard protection

12.01.2022 Control Your World with CENTURION Remote Controls We, as humans, have a passionate love affair with convenience. We like our food fast (because ‘food-meticulously-prepared-then-laid-out-on-a-plate-in-a-way-that-resembles-art’ just doesn’t have the same ring as ‘fast food’), our cars automatic and our appliances controlled remotely. There’s a reason that supermarkets can get away with charging exorbitant prices for pre-prepared meals that can simply be nuked and shoved into ou...r waiting gullets, and that reason is, quite simply, that it’s convenient. One doesn’t have to look much further than one’s keychain for evidence of this liaison amoureuse. As the role that technology plays in our daily lives becomes more and more significant, so also does the need to be able to control our army of electronic minions remotely. Like Mickey Mouse in Fantasia, we want to wave a magic wand and have our appliances spring into action and do our bidding, with or without musical accompaniment. The downside to this is that we often end up feeling like prison wardens, our pockets bulging not with corpulent wallets but with an arsenal of different remote controls. While such an extensive collection may seem impressive, it frequently leads to confusion and hijinks and I know of many individuals who pressed the wrong remote button when they wanted to arm the house alarm and ended up loosing the dogs on a confused and terrified mailman. But did you know that if you have a CENTURION code-hopping remote control, you can use the same remote to activate several different compatible devices? A friend of mine’s dad, for example, owns a factory where three D10industrial sliding gate motors have been installed in close proximity of one another. He lamented the fact that his guards had to carry three different remotes around with them, which often results in them opening the wrong gate and inadvertently creating a security risk. He was most pleased when I informed him that all that is needed is a single three-button remote control, with each individual button learned into a different D10. The following CENTURION devices and operators boast onboard code-hopping receivers, meaning that a single code-hopping remote can be used to control up to four (the maximum number of buttons) of these systems: D-Series operators (D5-Evo, D10, D10 Turbo and SECTOR) D2 Turbo domestic sliding gate motor VECTOR2 swing gate motor SupaHelix access control and monitoring device XTrac sectional and tip-up garage door motor And, even if you don’t have an operator with an onboard receiver, you can still fit a CENTURION single- or multichannel receiver to your gate motor, alarm system or whatever system you wish to control, and bring your whole world together with a single remote.

11.01.2022 Tips for Minimizing Your Electricity Usage Okay, so in 2014 you probably heard the word ‘solar’ being used more times than ‘hashtag’ or ‘vape’ (which refers to the act of smoking an electronic cigarette) combined, and there’s a perfectly good reason why this term which takes its name from the Latin word for sun has become so ubiquitous in everyday usage. With the widespread load-shedding that has intermittently been plunging the country into periods of darkness showing no... signs of abating, and with the electricity demand likely to increase as we inch our way towards winter, there has been an unprecedented surge in the popularity of alternative energy sources. As recently as last week, Eskom issued a warning via its Twitter account stating that ‘the power system remains vulnerable’, which is probably bad news for anyone wanting to turn their home into the house from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Going solar remains a winner when it comes to decoupling oneself from the utility grid as well as relieving the electricity provider’s considerable load. In light (excuse the pun) of this, we recently expanded our solar panel range to include the following sizes: 20W 40W 60W 80W 250W Here are some more tips for minimizing your electricity usage: Switch off non-essential appliances This one is kind of a given but, since ‘essential’ is such a subjective term, the advice/request is frequently ignored. Basically, it means switching off any appliance that is not crucial to your day-to-day survival (and that includes the kettle!). Upgrade to energy-saving lamps Would you believe that using conventional lamps can run up an electricity bill in excess of R14 000 per year? Compare that to the average yearly cost when using CFL ‘energy-saver’ type lamps, which is around R1 500, and switching is a no-brainer. Install a timer on your geyser Geysers are notoriously heavy on resources, despite the fact that its services are rarely required more than once or twice a day (unless, of course, you are Aquaman). Installing a timer ensures that your geyser is only operational during that hectic morning rush, and lies dormant for the rest of the day. Go for gas! Whether used for cooking or heat, this versatile and inexpensive resource will keep your toes warm and your tummy full long after load-shedding has sucked the light from our homes like some sort of electricity vampire. Sadly, garlic and wooden stakes won’t keep this vampire at bay, but a little planning just might! Super solar Yes, when it comes to total power failure autonomy and minimizing electricity usage, solar really can’t be beat. If this new-found liberation from the tyrannical claws of corporation-sourced electricity not to mention the megabucks you’ll be saving isn’t enough to convince you to go solar, just know that you’ll be revered as the hero of your neighborhood for lightening Eskom’s load and helping them to distribute electricity to the masses unabated.

07.01.2022 Used Gate Motors Sold as New: How to Spot the Difference The world, sadly, is full of unscrupulous charlatans. For every good-natured, well-intentioned Mr. Deeds out there, there’s at least 10 times as many shrewd, calculating Gordon Geckos intent on exploiting honest citizens and making a quick buck in the process. You know the type: a smooth-talker sporting a meticulously-trimmed goatee and shimmering porcelain veneers spouting honeyed words like some sort of articulate Ven...us fly trap. We’ve all fallen victim to this unprincipled snake oil salesman who sold you a ‘rare’ Nirvana bootleg album telling you it was brand new but turned out to have more scratches than an amateur lion tamer. Much to our dismay, this sort of skullduggery has now spilled over into the world of access automation, with used operators being sold as new to unsuspecting homeowners. But don’t despair! We’re here to help you determine whether your newly-installed D5-Evo is indeed fresh off the production line like the installer claims, or has clocked some miles serving a previous owner (from whom the device was possibly stolen), with tips like Check for Scarring Around the Mounting Slots A brand new operator’s mounting slots will be smooth and as-yet-untainted by the rough touch of mounting bolts. When the operator is fitted to its foundation plate, the bolts used to secure the gearbox tend to create tiny marks in the plastic around the slots, which is a telltale sign that your gate motor was previously installed and then removed and refurbished. Check the Tip of the Output Shaft The tip of the output shaft, which is the metal shaft essentially connecting the gearbox to the gate via the toothed pinion, will not be spray-painted black in the case of an off-the-production-line unit. However, those hoping to pass used operators off as new ones will typically re-spray the gearbox and blacken the tip of the shaft in the process. Check for Flecks of Paint on the Serial Number Label This also happens when the gearbox is re-sprayed post-production. Look out for tiny black flecks of paint on the serial number label, indicating that the gearbox was possibly sprayed after the label had been applied. Much like a dating site profile picture taken in a basement, this is a definite red flag and points towards a refurbished operator. Check the Number of Completed Operations on the LCD Panel This is an extremely useful diagnostic feature offered by CENTURION’s D-Series range of gate motors, providing you with a snapshot of how many operations your device has completed to date. Needless to say, a brand new operator would have completed a grand total of you guessed it 0 operations. To access this screen, press the up arrow until the following screen is displayed:

06.01.2022 Remote Jamming: The Facts Throughout history, there have been countless examples of the very technology designed to protect us and make our lives easier falling into the wrong hands and being used to cause unspeakable harm. The Manhattan Project saw the groundbreaking work done by thought leaders such as Einstein lay the foundation for the development of the first atom bombs (the great man himself was said to lament ‘Woe is me’ upon hearing about the attack on Hiroshima), dic...tators have used the power of the media to sow seeds of fear and intimidation, and the 90s saw the world of fashion mocking our very notion of sanity. One such example of technology meant for good being used for evil has been widely reported on in the local news media of late, namely the use of gate remote controls for the purpose of jamming the signals transmitted by car remotes and immobilisers. In this article, we’ll answer some of your questions regarding this nefarious practice. What exactly is ‘signal jamming’? Signal jamming refers to the practice, employed by opportunistic criminals, of using the remotes commonly used for opening automated gates and other access control devices, to ‘jam’ the signals transmitted by car remotes and preventing the vehicle’s central locking from acitivating. The unsuspecting victim will then leave his or her car unattended and unlocked, allowing the criminal to raid the contents of the vehicle. Shopping centre parking lots are most often targeted. How does it work? In a recent interview with local news network EWN (which can be viewed in full here), CENTURION National Sales Manager Johan Lessing uses the analogy of multiple people speaking simultaneously to illustrate the nature of the problem. In Lessing’s example, the intended recipient will be unable to comprehend either of the messages competing for his attention since the speakers, or transmitters, are talking over each other. This is what happens during a signal jamming exercise. The crook presses and holds a button on the gate remote, which then blocks the frequency and prevents the car remote from ‘talking’ to the receiver, in this case the vehicle’s central locking system. What remotes are used for signal jamming? Absolutely any remote can potentially be used for signal jamming, as long as it operates on the same frequency band as the device that the criminal intends on jamming. The frequency bands currently used for remote signal transmission in South Africa are 403MHz, 433MHz and the entire 800MHz frequency range. What can be done to prevent it? Vigilance is key. Car-owners are urged to double check that their vehicles are, in fact, locked before leaving them unattended. Look out for the confirmation signals such as the lights flashing or the horn beeping.

06.01.2022 7 Tips for Successful Inductive Loop Installation Installing a reliable ground loop can, at times, be a challenging and downright frustrating affair. There are so many critical points to consider such as the size and depth of the loop, the number of turns per side and the best material to construct it from. The good news is that, by sticking to the seven guidelines below as closely as possible, you too can install a ground loop that is reliable and efficient and can be used f...Continue reading

06.01.2022 Animal Magnetism: Mag Locks vs. Striker Locks A utopia is defined as a community or society possessing highly desirable or near perfect qualities. The nature of these qualities and what attributes exactly can be said to be desirable or perfect probably vary from person to be person, but typically one would imagine a utopia as a place of freedom and safety, a place in which people are connected to nature and enjoy certain economic, political and religious liberties and, above ...Continue reading

05.01.2022 The introductory lyrics to a song by a very well-known and very controversial Afrikaans punk rock band (with a particularly rude name) read: ‘hierdie jaar het soos ‘n vliegtuigenjin op my neergedaal’ which, roughly translated, means ‘this year has descended on me like an aeroplane engine’ a perfectly fitting simile given the abruptness with which 2015 has delivered itself to our collective doorstep like uninvited in-laws showing up for Sunday afternoon luncheon. While the t...hought of a new year still in its infancy may fill many with anxiety and apprehension, I always find it to be particularly exciting: an opportunity to plot the route one wishes to take personally, professionally and spiritually in the year ahead. I make it a point every new year to write down my goals for the next 12 months; they may be something simple like learning a new language or paying off my debt, or completely grandiose like discovering a new planet (which I thought I did just the other day, but it turned out to be the sun and I had just forgotten what it looked like after what felt like an eternity of rain). What are your goals for 2015? If they happen to include beefing up security at home or around the office, Centurion Systems is definitely able to help you out. The unveiling of two superb new swing gate motors for domestic and industrial applications is now imminent and, while I am not at liberty to divulge too much at this stage, what I can tell you is that both of these operators combine ruggedness, durability, functionality and a kind of flair that can almost be described as European, to create swing gate automation that is pure poetry in motion. Furthermore, 2015 will see the release of a new wireless product so revolutionary that it may very well change the face of automation as we know it forever. I have always firmly believed that the success of a product is directly proportional to the level of enthusiasm of its creators and, having watched CENTURION Automation Director Robert Dickens excitedly and animatedly describe the vast possibilities of this device a boyish twinkle in his eye there is no doubt in my mind that this particular product will be opening many doors, both literally and in a metaphorical sense, in the future

05.01.2022 2014/2015 Crime Statistics Revealed With the recent release of the latest national crime statistics, the song stuck in the heads of many South Africans may very well be The Clash’s 1982 hit Should I Stay or Should I Go?. The report, which indicates the prevalence of different types of crime over the past year, has historically been seen as a harbinger of doom and sadly, with increases in both murder (16 914 to 17 805) and carjacking (11 129 to 12 773), this year seems to be n...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Global Warming, Lightning and Gate Motors I once read rather a humerous quote on that incredible fount of comedic wisdom known as the Internet that went something along the lines of ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 363, 847 times, you’re the weatherman’. Pretty hilarious, right? And it’s a statement that has become all the more relevant in recent times given the fact that our weather has turned, for lack of a better term, Continental. Only this...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Guest Management Made Easy with MyGSM Well, the holidays are officially behind us, the only evidence that they even happened a few grains of recalcitrant sand in our beds and a bloodcurdling scream from the direction of the bathroom every time your spouse attempts to wash their sunburnt back in the tub. But, if you happen to be the proprietor of a guesthouse or B & B, you’ll know that it’s holiday season all year round. Sure, business may peak during certain periods say, ov...er Easter weekend and in December but there’ll always be professionals looking for accommodation when on business trips or weary travelers simply seeking some room at the inn. You’ll also know that the world of hospitality is a competitive and cut-throat one and, with literally thousands of listings on sites such as Safari Now and Sleep Out, it can be extremely difficult to make your establishment stand out. One way to grow your customer base is, of course, through word of mouth and adding a bit of a personal touch to your establishment can go a long way towards creating evangelists for your business. CENTURION’s MyGSM module not only makes for a formidable access control and guest management solution, but it also allows you (through use of the web portal) to craft personalised arrival and departure messages that will be sent to guests at user-defined times. For example, you can draft an SMS message with the text ‘Enjoy your stay at Joe’s B & B. Please remember to sign the guestbook!’ to be sent to a list of pre-programmed numbers on the day of your guests’ arrival, and even include a link to your business’ website in the body of the message. This is a very nice touch and is sure to make your visitors feel that they are, in fact, dealing with professionals. In addition, the CENTURION MyGSM offers eight potential-free outputs that can be connected to automated gates and doors, lights, air-conditioning systems, etc., meaning that you don’t even have to labour your guests with remotes and keys which can be lost or stolen they can use their mobile phones for access. The system is intelligent enough that you can specify a time period for which a specific number must be active (say, between the 10th and 15th of January 2015), and the number will automatically be removed from memory once this period has elapsed. It really is a smarter approach to guest management.

04.01.2022 Gate Motor Theft on the Rise Brace yourselves, because we’re about to drop a truth bomb. The reality is, a black market exists for practically everything, from air hostess uniforms to mega-flush toilets (whatever those are). In the United States, there is a baffling criminal underground trading in Tide laundry detergent, while in Venezuela criminal gangs called Piranhas roam the streets looking for human hair to steal. We kid you not. That’s right, hair-stealing gangs are tot...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Outsmart Intruders with this Clever D-Series Features According to an article published on the website of community newspaper The Sandton Chronicle (dated August 11, 2015), an old tried and true modus operandi used by criminals to gain access to your property has now resurfaced like some malevolent jack-in-the-box. Although, to be fair, absolutely all jack-in-the-boxes are a little creepy...Continue reading

03.01.2022 Blue is the Warmest Colour with New Centurion Solar Regulators Not since the release of Avatar has the colour blue been this coolor should that be hot, given the nature of the product? Centurion recently started stocking the LandStar brand of solar regulators, and these devices are not only easy on the eye with their beautiful cerulean exoskeletons but, in true Centurion fashion, are jam-packed with features geared towards helping you harness the power of the sun.... Their new solar regulators really check all the boxes, boasting three-stage charging which keeps the battery in the best possible condition for maximum battery life, solid state PWM charging as well as battery-saver technology with load shedding which further helps protect the battery. The latest addition to Centurion’s solar range has been designed to be efficient, practical, simple and easy to use as well as aesthetically pleasing. Blue is a colour commonly associated with calmness and serenity, and these are exactly the kinds of feelings that you’ll be experiencing when you let Centurion’s new regulator take care of your solar charging requirements. Besides being the best thing to appear in blue since Derick Hougaard, the solar regulator also has the following unique features: Battery voltage is measured intuitively thanks to the built-in battery indicator Highly efficient series PWM charging increases battery lifespan and makes for optimum performance of the system The system uses an electronic switch no bulky mechanical switches that are easily damaged LED indicators display battery voltage state Automatic correction of charging and discharging parameters extends battery life Reliable protection against overcharging, over-discharging, overload and short-circuit Reverse protection for battery Novel built-in USB port provides 5V DC for onsite charging of various electronic devices While load-shedding appears to have loosened its insidious grip on the country for the time being, there’s still plenty of good reasons to go off-grid and hook yourself up to Nature’s very own power supply, the sun. Get in touch today to find out more about our solar range.

03.01.2022 11m gate automated using a Centurion A10 with battery back-up supplied through a DC converter.

02.01.2022 Celebrating Gate Safety Week The 13th to the 19th of October was Gate Safety Week, a UK-based campaign started by the DHF (a body representing the needs and interests of the gate automation industry) in an effort to raise awareness around the safe installation and operation of automated gates. A very tragic account on a local news and current events website about a toddler being crushed and killed by a gate falling on him again highlights the need to bring this campaign to ou...Continue reading