CellGate Watchman W450 to W480 in Palm Beach: scratched screen, rust on a Viking G5
The call was about a screen.
A homeowner in Palm Beach told me the screen on her gate intercom was scratched, and that she was thinking about upgrading the whole system. The intercom was a CellGate Watchman W450. The gate runs on a Viking G5.
What was wrong with the CellGate Watchman W450 and the Viking G5?
The screen had a lot of scratches on it. On top of that there were strange marks all over the display, the kind that make it hard to see who is at the gate. The unit was still working, but the screen was the part she looks at every time someone rings, and it was not in good shape.
While I was there I checked the gate operator too. The Viking G5 was working. But the lead screw, the long threaded rod that drives the gate open and closed, had rust on it.
What options did the homeowner have?
I showed her a few options for a new intercom, side by side. I also offered her a maintenance plan for the operator, so the rust on the lead screw gets dealt with now instead of when it starts to bind.
She saw the CellGate Watchman W480 and was interested immediately.
She added a maintenance plan for the operator to the quote, at half the regular price.
How fast could the intercom be replaced?
I was ready to go the same day she approved the quote. She picked a day a few days later that worked better for her, and that is when we came out.
How did we replace the W450 and treat the rusted lead screw?
The old W450 came out and the new Watchman W480 went in.
On the Viking G5 I took the cover off, brushed the rust off the lead screw, sprayed it with rust remover, wiped it clean, and greased it.
Why does rust on a gate lead screw matter if the gate still works?
A gate that works is not a gate that is fine. Rust on a lead screw does not stop a gate on day one. It adds friction every cycle, and the motor works harder until something gives. On an island where salt air reaches everything, that is worth catching on a routine visit.
Is the new CellGate Watchman W480 working?
A new CellGate Watchman W480 with a clear screen, and a Viking G5 with a clean, greased lead screw. The customer chose the upgrade herself after seeing the options, and she picked the day.
Intercom or gate operator giving you trouble in Palm Beach or anywhere in Broward and Palm Beach County? We show you the options and the price before anything starts.
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Common Questions
My intercom screen is scratched. Do I need a new intercom?
Not always. If the unit still works and the screen is the only issue, it is a cosmetic problem first. On this Palm Beach job the screen had scratches all over it plus strange marks across the display, and the customer was already thinking about upgrading, so we showed her a few options side by side and let her choose.
Can a CellGate Watchman W450 be replaced with a W480?
Yes. That is exactly what we did on this job. The customer saw the W480 and chose it on the spot, and the old W450 came out the day of the swap.
My Viking G5 works fine. Why does it need maintenance?
Because working and healthy are not the same thing. This G5 was running, but the lead screw had rust on it. The lead screw is what drives the gate open and closed, and rust there adds friction and wear every cycle. Cleaning it and greasing it now is a lot cheaper than waiting for it to bind.
How fast can you do an intercom upgrade?
We were ready the same day the quote was approved. On this job the customer chose a date a few days later that worked for her, and we came out then.
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