The Proteco Meko-8 mechanism has quite good specifications and can cover most sliding garage door cases. In detail:

• It is suitable for garage doors with a maximum weight of 800kg.
• It can operate safely and without problems up to 25 times per hour.
• It can operate safely and without problems up to 40 times per day.

Regarding the weight of the door, you should ask its manufacturer. Most sliding gates, however, weigh around 60-70kg/m. So, in most cases, 800kg is a limit that is quite safe and rarely reached by a typical residential or even commercial garage door.

The uses per hour are sufficient for an average garage door, as it can operate approximately every two minutes during peak hours. It should be noted here that if the motor overheats, it will stop operating until it returns to normal operating conditions. That is, it has thermal protection to protect itself from excessive use.

Finally, the uses per day can cover most cases of residential garage doors. The uses per day constitute a limit so that the motor does not wear out prematurely and lasts for many years without problems.

Proteco Meko-8 mechanism dimensions check

With a height and length of 31cm, the Proteco Meko 8 motor can be installed on most sliding garage doors. Also, with a width of less than 20cm, it fits even in cases where space is limited.

A typical sliding garage door layout naturally includes the gate leaf, which has rollers at its bottom. It is essential that the rollers are well-maintained so as not to hinder the movement of the door and the mechanism.

The rollers move on a rail which must be firmly fixed to the ground. The rail must be straight without bumps or deformations.

The rollers hold the door vertically to the ground. They are placed in the middle of the path so that they are always in contact with the door. They must be stable and not allow the door to deviate from its path, but without hindering its movement.

Finally (for a door without a mechanism) the last accessories are the mechanical stops of the door. These define the final position of the door both when opening and closing.

Then, for automation of the door, we install the metal (or plastic) rack on the gate leaf. The rack is a toothed bar that works with the motor's gear to transmit motion.

The motor is placed in the center of the door's travel so that it is always in contact with the door. It has a gear that transmits motion from the mechanism to the door via the rack.

In addition to the mechanism, an essential accessory for the safety of the entire construction is the safety photocells. The safety photocells are placed on either side of the opening and check for obstacles in the door's path. If an obstacle is detected while the door is closing, the photocells send a command to the mechanism's control panel, and the door stops closing and begins its reverse movement (opening).

Also, for even greater safety, a safety beacon could be installed, which gives a signal when the door is in operation. It is usually installed when the door is adjacent to busy roads, roads with heavy traffic, and in areas where visibility is limited.

Finally, in cases where the range of the remote controls is not desirable, an external antenna can be installed to amplify the signal.

Below are the wirings required for a sliding garage door mechanism and for all accessories that can be added (not all accessories are included in this set)

• The Proteco Meko-8 mechanism requires a 3X1.5mm² cable suitable for outdoor use. If the distance from the electrical panel is long, it would be advisable to install a 3X2.5mm² cable. In any case, it is good practice for the mechanism's wiring to start from a separate fuse from the electrical panel.
• Wired photocells require 4×0.6mm² cables for the receiver and 2×0.6mm² for the transmitter. If photocells with a reflector are used, then only one 4×0.6mm² cable to the transceiver is required. Reflector photocells cost a little more, but if the wiring has not been installed, they offer an immediate solution without patching and extra work.
• The key switch (keypad) or simple push button requires a 2×0.6mm² cable.
• The warning light requires a 1×1.0 mm² or 2×1.0 mm² cable.

Wiring should ideally be carried out by a qualified electrician. Particular attention should be paid to protecting cables from moisture, as these installations are outdoors.

Autotech S5060T control panel for sliding garage door mechanisms

The Autotech S5060T control panel is included in the set and is integrated into the mechanism. It is a control panel that combines simplicity of use with all the necessary functions and has been tested over time. It combines perfectly with the Proteco Meko 5 mechanism.

Technical characteristics:

• It has a socket for the mechanism's limit switches
• We can adjust the mechanism's force.
• There is the possibility of soft start and stop for less wear and tear on the mechanism and the garage door.
• It accepts safety photocells that interrupt movement when they encounter an obstacle when the door is closing and start the reverse movement (opening).
• There is an available setting for automatic closing of the door with the user selecting the closing start time. Photocell use is essential for automatic closing to function.
• There is an option for electric braking.
• The opening direction is adjusted with a microswitch.
• The panel can accept a push button (keypad or simple push button).
• The panel can accept a 230VAC warning light without a flasher or a 230VAC lighting lamp.
• It has an integrated receiver with simple operation.
• User information regarding the mechanism's functions is provided by LED lights.

The above control panel has been tested by thousands of users and has proven to be extremely reliable. In addition, it has features such as force adjustment, soft start and stop, which make it one of the best choices on the market today.

ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control for sliding garage door mechanism

The ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control is tested and reliable. It has 4 buttons where we can set 4 different mechanisms (gates, shutters, overhead garage doors, etc.). It is a 12-bit fixed code at 433.92 MHz. It has a modern design and works excellently with the Autotech S5060T control panel.

Operation of sliding gate photocells

Photocells are a product that significantly increases safety in the use of a sliding mechanism at minimal cost. These specific photocells (IR5001P) are extremely reliable and operate with a voltage of 12-24 VDC or 12-24 VAC, making them compatible with most control panels on the market. They have been on the market for years and do not present problems. They do not require maintenance and are quite reliable even in difficult weather conditions.

Photocell operation: The transmitter emits an infrared light beam, in the non-visible spectrum, which is directed towards the receiver. When there is no obstacle interrupting the beam, the door operates normally. If the beam is interrupted by an obstacle (vehicle, pedestrian, pet, etc.) when the door is closing, the control panel instructs the mechanism to stop closing the door and begin the reverse movement (opening). If the beam is interrupted while the door is opening, it continues its movement normally, and if it is open, it is not allowed to start closing.

An alternative to wired photocells is the installation of photocells with a reflector. These photocells do not require wiring on both sides of the door, making them easier to install. They are preferred in cases where the door and surrounding area have been completed without provision for wiring. They have a small surcharge compared to wired photocells but are a good solution when wiring cannot be installed.

Metal rack for sliding gate mechanism

The metal rack is the most widespread solution for use in metal sliding gates. The metal rack consists of one-meter pieces, with a diametrical pitch of 4 (module 4) and has a cross-section of 12x30mm. Each piece includes 3 spacers. It is installed on doors with a maximum weight of 2 tons and is galvanized for greater resistance to outdoor conditions.

During the installation process, the spacers are welded to the door. Then the rack is screwed onto the spacers. The rack has oval holes for the spacer screws. This allows for small height adjustments of the rack.

Particular attention during the installation of the metal rack should be paid to the necessary clearance between the gear and the rack. This gap should ideally be 1.5mm. This gap is such that the rack cooperates perfectly with the gear. If the gap is larger, the rack will "kick" and the movement of the door will not be smooth. If this gap does not exist and the rack touches the gear, then the mechanism is forced to carry the door, so sooner or later it will wear out and develop a fault.

Sliding mechanism installation procedure - Summary

In summary, the steps for installing a sliding garage door mechanism are as follows:

• Checking that the door operates smoothly manually.
• Checking for existing wiring or installing it.
• After the checks, the motor base is installed. This requires a stable foundation. Usually, a reinforced concrete base is the appropriate solution.
• Mounting the motor onto the base.
• Installing the rack.
• Installing accessories (if any).
• Checking the proper operation of the system and explaining all details for safe use to the users.

The above are simply a summary of the steps for installing a sliding mechanism. Inside the mechanism's packaging, you will find detailed, step-by-step instructions, well-written and easy to follow.

Disengagement of Proteco Meko-8 sliding automation

For greater safety, the disengagement of the Proteco Meko-8 mechanism is done with a key. We insert the disengagement key into the lock and unlock it. Then we open the flap to the fully open position and the motor now operates manually. By reversing the process (locking the flap), we reset and re-engage the mechanism.

PROTECO MEKO 8 mechanism gear

The gear of the Proteco Meko-8 mechanism is metallic for greater durability and reliability. It has a protective cover to prevent accidents and protect users.

Packaging of the MEKO-8 (Kit-Standard) S mechanism set

The MEKO-8 (Kit-Standard) S set is delivered in two packages. The first contains the mechanism, remote controls, photocells, and any additional accessories that may have been ordered separately from the set.

The second package includes only the metal rack due to its length and weight.

The set is delivered ready for installation as it has been checked by our technicians and the remote control is programmed.

Installation instructions for the sliding garage door kit

The set comes with detailed instructions in Greek. These have been edited by us to be easy to follow, even by people who are not directly familiar with the subject.

They contain detailed steps for each stage of installation, from the motor base and rack to accessories such as photocells and buttons. Detailed instructions for the Autotech S-5060T control panel, which is integrated into the mechanism, are also included.

Available documents for the Proteco Meko-8 motor (in English)

CE Declaration of Conformity

Installation Manual

Proteco Meko sliding automation commercial brochure