Quick Answer
Dual swing gates can drift out of synchronization when one leaf moves slower, loses position reference, encounters more mechanical resistance, has a weak battery, or the controller’s timing/communication is no longer correct. The result may be one leaf arriving early, overlapping incorrectly or closing in the wrong sequence.
Synchronization problems should be diagnosed through mechanics and position data before simply changing delay settings.
Different Mechanical Resistance
If one leaf has worn hinges or drags on the ground, it may move slower even with identical operator settings. Correct the gate first.
Battery or Power Differences
Separate operators can have different battery condition or voltage drop. One side may slow under load and gradually lose timing.
Position Reference Loss
Encoder, limit or learned-travel errors can make one operator believe it is farther along than it really is.
Communication Delays
Primary/secondary systems may use wired or wireless communication. Faulty communication can disrupt coordinated start/stop behavior.
Intentional Leaf Delay
Some gates use a delay because one leaf overlaps the other or an electric lock must engage in sequence. Changing the delay without understanding the hardware can create collisions.
Wind Exposure Can Affect One Leaf More
Different leaf size, cladding or site wind can make one side slower under certain conditions. This can look like an electronic sync issue.
Relearn After Mechanical Changes
After hinge, arm, motor or limit work, dual systems may need re-commissioning. Verify both leaves and the closing sequence through multiple safe cycles.
Synchronization Is About Arrival, Not Just Start Time
Two leaves can start together and still arrive at different times because of mechanical resistance, battery condition, motor performance or wind. Good synchronization therefore considers travel behavior, not only programmed delay.
For overlapping leaves, the closing order is especially important because the wrong arrival sequence can cause the leaves to strike each other.
Common Mistake: Copying Identical Settings
Two leaves may have different lengths, loads or operator geometry. Identical speed/current settings are not always the correct commissioned result. Use the manufacturer’s dual-gate procedure and the actual mechanics.
Example: Wind Pushes One Leaf Out of Sequence
A pair of solid swing gates stays synchronized on calm days but one leaf slows in strong afternoon wind. The controller and motors are healthy. The site load is asymmetric because one leaf is more exposed.
The solution may involve application review, wind-aware operator sizing or gate design, not repeated synchronization adjustments.
Synchronization Depends on Both Position and Timing
Dual gates may use separate limits, encoders or timed movement to coordinate the leaves. If one side begins later, travels more slowly or stops short, the system can appear "out of sync" even though both motors still run.
Look for a change in one leaf’s mechanical speed before changing controller timing. A dragging hinge or weak battery on one side can create the same visual symptom as bad programming.
Closing Sequence Can Be Intentional
Some double gates are designed so one leaf closes first because of a center stop, overlap, maglock or physical meeting condition. What looks like a delay may be programmed behavior.
The important question is whether the sequence changed from the known-good setup or no longer produces a proper closed position.
When recommissioning, verify each leaf individually, then test the programmed sequence repeatedly. Synchronization should account for real gate speed, not force both actuators to match a timer while one leaf has a mechanical problem.
Wind Can Make Synchronization Look Worse
A solid double-swing gate may expose one leaf to different wind load depending on building position or direction of travel.
If synchronization problems appear only on windy days, mechanical resistance and operator margin deserve review.
Do not solve an environmental loading problem only by adding timing delay. Verify that each operator is correctly sized for the actual leaf and exposure.
Gate Stops and Locks Can Affect Closing Order
A center stop, electric lock or overlapping leaf arrangement may require one leaf to move before the other.
If the physical stop or lock alignment changes, the timing can appear incorrect even when controller delays are unchanged.
Inspect the closing hardware before changing synchronization settings.
Repeated Re-Synchronization Is a Warning Sign
If the system needs frequent timing or limit adjustment to keep the leaves aligned, investigate the underlying mechanical or sensor drift.
A stable dual gate should not require constant tuning.
Repeated correction usually means one side is changing over time.
Test the Pair After Any Single-Leaf Repair
Replacing one actuator, hinge or battery can change the timing relationship between leaves.
Recommission the pair after work on either side so the repair does not create a new sequencing problem.
Bottom Line
Dual gates go out of sync when the two leaves no longer move under equivalent mechanical, power and position conditions. Fix the slower or inaccurate leaf first, then recommission timing and sequence according to the operator design.