The Right Screw Size For Your Lift Master La412

The LiftMaster LA412 is a solar-powered gate operator designed for residential use with Class I vehicular swing gates. It has a 12V nominal Class II battery voltage source and a 14.5 Vac, 30 VA max battery charger supply. The operator comes with hardware for installation on gates that pull-to-open, but an accessory kit is required for push-to-open gates. The LA412 has a range of safety features, including photoelectric sensors, and can be used with LiftMaster Access Control Technology.

Hex nut, flat washer, and lock washer

Hex nuts, flat washers, and lock washers are all types of washers, which are thin plates with central holes. They are used to distribute the pressure load between two joining surfaces and to prevent nuts or bolts from driving into the material of the surfaces being joined.

Hex Nut

A hex nut is a type of nut with a hexagonal shape. It is used to secure a bolt or screw. The six sides of the hexagon allow it to be tightened using a wrench or other tool.

Flat Washer

Flat washers are used to distribute the load of a screw or nut and to prevent damage to surfaces, especially soft wood and plastic. They also help to reduce the chance of the fixing gradually loosening over time. Flat washers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials depending on the intended use.

Lock Washer

Lock washers are designed to maintain a secure connection and prevent fasteners from vibrating loose. They are often attached to the nut side of the fastener and are tightened to a required torque beneath the ordinary fastener. Lock washers are made from hardened metals such as stainless steel, galvanized steel, zinc-plated steel, or silicone bronze. They are commonly used in transportation applications such as automotive, aircraft, or marine, where persistent vibration is present.

There are two basic types of lock washers: spring action (or split) washers and tooth washers. Split lock washers are helical-shaped split rings that exert a spring force on the fastener when fastened. Tooth lock washers have teeth that bite into the nut or screw head and the surface it contacts, providing a stronger hold for larger screws.

Hex bolt and carriage bolt

Hex bolts, also known as hex cap screws or machine bolts, have hexagonal heads and machine threads for use with a nut or in a tapped hole. They are typically made of steel, stainless steel, or nylon, with varying levels of corrosion resistance. The length and diameter of hex bolts vary, and they are commonly used in automotive and structural applications.

The LiftMaster LA412 solar gate operator requires a hex bolt with the following specifications:

• Size: 5/16"-18 x 1-1/2
• Quantity: 1

Carriage bolts, on the other hand, are round head square neck bolts used to fasten plastic, metal, and wood. They are often referred to as "coach bolts" and are designed to provide a self-locking fixture. The square neck of the carriage bolt prevents it from spinning while the nut is fastened and makes it ideal for security applications such as locks and hinges.

The LiftMaster LA412 solar gate operator does not explicitly mention the use of carriage bolts. However, it is worth noting that the provided hardware list includes items such as hex nuts, flat washers, lock washers, and hex bolts, indicating that similar types of fasteners are used in the installation process.

Control box mounting hardware

The control box must be mounted within 5 feet of the gate operator and as high as possible for the best radio reception. The mounting hardware will vary depending on the type of surface the control box is being mounted on.

For a wood surface, you will need four #8 1-1/4" zinc-plated wood screws. For a metal surface, you will need four #10-32x6" zinc-plated machine screws with nuts and lock washers. For concrete or brick surfaces, you will need four 1/4" x 1-3/4" masonry screws. If mounting to a post, the U-bolt size will vary depending on the post. The U-bolt thread sizes for the control boxes are: 1/4" for the standard control box and 3/8" for the XLM control box.

Photoelectric sensors

There are several types of photoelectric sensors, including:

• Through-beam sensors: These sensors have the emitter and receiver installed opposite each other. When an object passes between them and interrupts the light beam, the reduction in light intensity is detected. Through-beam sensors offer long sensing distances and stable operation.
• Diffuse-reflective sensors: In these sensors, the emitter and receiver are housed together, and light usually doesn't return to the receiver. When the emitted light strikes an object, it reflects the light back to the receiver, increasing the light intensity. This type of sensor is easy to mount and adjust.
• Retro-reflective sensors: Similar to diffuse-reflective sensors, these sensors have the emitter and receiver in the same housing. However, they use a reflector installed opposite to reflect light back to the receiver. When an object interrupts the light, the reduction in light intensity is detected. Retro-reflective sensors offer simple wiring and optical axis adjustment.
• Distance-settable sensors: These sensors use triangulation to determine the position of an object. They can detect the distance to the object and are suitable for detecting small objects with high precision.
• Limited-reflective sensors: Like diffuse-reflective sensors, these sensors detect objects by receiving reflected light. However, they restrict the light emission and reception area, allowing them to detect objects within a specific distance from the sensor.

Control board and batteries

The LiftMaster LA412 control board is compatible with the LiftMaster Models LA412 and LA412-S Swing Gate Operators. It is important to note that this control board is only compatible with units manufactured before 2016 and will not work with LA412UL units. The control board is blue in colour.

The LiftMaster LA412PKGUL Replacement Control Board K1D8388-1CC /LA412 is another control board option for the LiftMaster LA412. This control board was introduced in January 2016 and is compatible with the LA400, LA412, and LA500 gate operators manufactured after that time. It is important to check your individual equipment for compatibility. This control board is not compatible with LiftMaster gate operators manufactured before January 2016.

The LiftMaster K1D8052-1CC Main Control Board is also compatible with the LiftMaster LA412, as well as the LA400 and LA500 models.

To power the control board, you will need a 12-volt battery. The LiftMaster 29-NP712 Replacement Battery 12V 7Amp is a suitable option and is specifically designed for the LA412 vehicular gate operator.

Frequently asked questions