Frequently Asked Questions

e-Loop

  • Purchasing through one of our authorized distributors, resellers or by contacting us direct at Microtech Designs.

  • Microtech Designs warranty being 24 months from date of purchase.

  • All e-Loop products are CE & RoHS Certified, documentation can be found here

Troubleshooting

  • Ensure your e-Loop is correctly calibrated (refer to the included instructions)

  • Ensure your e-Trans transceiver is correctly coded into the e-Loop (refer to the included instructions)

Setup/Reception

    1. Ensure vehicle is triggering the e-Loop sensor (watch for single Yellow LED Flash).

    2. Ensure the e-Trans transceiver is receiving clean power, in accordance with the specifications listed on the product instructions.
      e-Trans 20 & 50: 10-36V DC
      e-Trans 100 - 300: 10-36V AC/DC

    3. Ensure the transceiver is located within line-of-sight of the e-Loop. Ensure the transceiver is not
      enclosed within a metal casing: if a metal casing is necessary install one of the many compatible
      external antennas offered.

    4. Ensure the transceiver is not located close to any AC cables as they can interfere with the signal.

  • If your reception is poor it is likely something is interfering with the transmission signal. To check for interference follow these steps:

    1. Try moving the e-Loop and e-Trans closer together (Note if moved ensure the e-Loop is re-calibrated)

    2. Disconnect transceiver from control board power & connect to a different power supply (e.g 12v Battery)

    3. If using an external power supply fixes the issue, the interference is likely caused by your gate board or accessories.

    4. Reconnect without any accessories plugged in (typical causes are GSM Boards & Receivers). If the transceiver works, add accessories back 1 at a time to find the incompatible accessory.

    5. Once identified: try powering the accessory externally & test transceiver again. If external power is not feasible, clamp a ferrite bead around the accessories power cable as close to the accessory as possible. This will reduce interference from radiated noise traveling via the cable.

    Note: If signal strength is still poor, the use of an external antenna can boost radio capabilities.

  • This will depend on which mode you need the sensor to operate in, if used in pulse mode you can place the sensor up to 50 meters from the gate with standard antenna, if used in presence mode to prevent gate from closing until vehicle has moved off the sensor, this will need to be in a position where the vehicle cannot move off the sensor until the gate is open. Ensure the loop is in the center of the driveway and that vehicles are driving directly over the loop.

  • This is a feature on commercial e-loops only and is an indication of low signal strength, if this occurs, we recommend moving the transceiver or e-Loop to a better position or adding an external antenna to the transceiver.

  • This is a feature on commercial e-loops only and is an indication of no communication link between the e-loop and the transceiver, if this occurs please check transceiver is powered up and that you have the e-loop and transceiver paired, if this has been confirmed we recommend moving the transceiver or e-Loop to a better position or adding an external antenna on the transceiver.

  • Check you have a DC voltage between 10V and 36V at the terminal block, also check you have the polarity correct, the e-trans 50 transceiver will not operate on AC and can also be damaged if AC is connected. We do however offer a compatible AC to DC converter. Note: transceiver will not operate from a bridge rectifier alone. A 470 uf to 1000 uf 50v capacitor must be connected to the DC output.

  • Check you have the N/O and COM wired correctly to your gate board, also make sure it is wired to the open input.

  • If the maximum amount of loops has been coded into the transceivers, you will be unable to pair additional loops.
    e-Trans 20 - 2 e-Loops
    e-Trans 50 - 4 e-Loops
    e-Trans 100 - 4 e-Loops
    e-Trans 200 - 4 e-Loops
    e-Trans 300 - 6 e-Loops
    To code a new loop in, delete coded devices and try again.

    Sometimes pairing problems can occur if there are strong signals from other systems nearby; try moving away from the area and try again.

Loop Detection Issues

  • There is a built in 5 second delay timer in reading the radar after a vehicle moved off the loop. This feature is present to ensure vehicles with trailers are accurately detected.

    • If Lag time is between 5-60 seconds, the issue is likely caused by:

    • The release trip point may be too low for your applications due to background noise. You can raise this value to 800 for faster release. This will force radar read more frequently than the default 5 seconds.

    • If release time exceeds 60 seconds (i.e. an hour) it’s likely that your issue is caused by poor reception.

    • For instant release you can navigate to loop settings on an e-trans 200 or diagnostic remote, and change mag speed from “slow” to “fast”

    • For even faster response you can go to advanced radar and change wait time from 5 seconds to 2 seconds


      Note: be aware adjusting these settings may result in trailer not being detected in the drawbar area.

    • Check operation by putting diagnostic remote into Open RX mode and check that the loop is detecting the vehicle. If not; connect the diagnostic tool to the loop and select diagnostic mode. This will allow you to monitor the magnetic field, if the magnetic field is not raising to 800 then there may be a problem with the sensor. Check that when no vehicle is present, that readings are between 0-200. If background noise is high i.e. 0-800, it is likely there are underground AC cables beneath the loop causing interference.
      Note: Before adjusting trip level we recommend speaking with a technician.

e-Trans Fault Indicators

  • Problem: My e-Loop is triggering but the transceiver is not activating

    • Check antenna is not obstructed

    • Check e-Loop is operating correctly

    • Trip the e-Loop with a magnetic screwdriver and see if yellow LED flashes indicating detection

    1. All lights flashing: lost connection between the e-Loop and e-Trans 50

    2. Yellow LED flashing when loop is actived: the coded loop(s) have low battery. This is also displayed on the code LED on the loop for easy identification.


      Note: It is possible an additional loop is coded into the e-Trans 50 unintentionally. To fix this, delete all coded e-Loops and recode your desired loop.

    1. Flashing of LP1, 2, 3 means lost connection between the e-Loop and e-Trans. The LP Number indicates which loop has lost connection.

    2. Menu LED on and LP1, 2, 3 or 4 means low battery on the loop, this is also displayed on the code LED on the loop for easy identification.

      Note: It is possible an additional loop is coded into the e-Trans 50 unintentionally. To fix this, delete all coded e-Loops and recode your desired loop.

    • “Lost Connection” is displayed. This means one of the coded loops has not been detected within a 12 hour time frame. Navigating the menu will determine which loop has lost connection.

    • “Low Battery” is displayed. This means one of the coded loops has a low battery by navigating the menu you can determine which loop it is. This is also displayed on the loop by the code LED flashing when loop is triggered

      Note: It is possible an additional loop is coded into the e-Trans 50 unintentionally. To fix this, delete all coded e-Loops and recode your desired loop.