Written by Super User on 29 October 2026. Posted in Articles.

Get the Ultima

Looking at a DACE Sprint or Condo?
Get the Ultima!

The DACE Ultima RT, Ultima HT and Ultima ACDC are the next generation of the Sprint and Condo motors.

Why choose the Ultima over a Sprint or Condo?

The Sprint and Condo are proven DACE motors, and you will still see them for sale.
DACE has since built a better one. The Ultima RT is the new generation of the Sprint and the Ultima HT is the new generation of the Condo.

⚙️
Steel Internal Gears

Both the internal drive gear and external pinion are steel for longer lifespan and better shock tolerance when obstructions are detected.

🖥️
Large Graphics Display

On-board help screens and joystick navigation make setup and troubleshooting straightforward without needing a laptop or app.

🔊
Voice Prompts

Audio guidance for setup wizard ideal for first-time DIY installers.

📡
1024 Remote Capacity

Program up to 1024 code-hopping remotes across 16 channels.

💾
USB Software Updates

Firmware is updated via USB, and BMGi ships units with the latest software already loaded before despatch.

🛡️
Adjustable speed and ramping

Open fast and close slower, with ramp up and ramp down adjustable per centimetre, for smoother gate movement.

😊
Pedestrian Auto Close

Set your gate to open partially for a pedestrian and then have it auto close behind them. With peace of mind that your gate hasn't been left open.

😴
Sleep Modes

Three sleep levels (light, medium, deep) keep energy consumption low during quiet periods.

Full Specification Comparison between all DACE Ultima Motors

Specifications	DACE Ultima RT25	DACE Ultima HT18	DACE Ultima AC/DC 500	DACE Ultima AC/DC 800
Max Gate Weight	500kgs	600kgs	500kgs	800kgs
Max Gate Length	15m	15m	20m	20m
Max Running Speed	25m/min	18m/min	40m/min	28m/min
Cycles Per Day	45	45	1500	1500
Max Startup Force	22 kgf	28 kgf	22 kgf	32 kgf
Max Running Force	15 kgf	18 kgf	15 kgf	22 kgf
Motor Power	120watts	120watts	120watts	120watts
Motor RPM	4500rpm	3100rpm	4500rpm	3100rpm
External Pinion Gear	Steel	Steel	Steel	Steel
Internal Drive Gear	Steel	Steel	Steel	Steel
Onboard Receiver	1024	1024	1024	1024
Battery Operated	✔ Included (12v)	✔ Included (12v)	Optional (12v)	Optional (12v)
Solar Kit Available	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✘ No	✘ No
Auto Close	0-30min	0-30min	0-30min	0-30min
Pedestrian Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Party Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Manual Release	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Collision Sensing	Close & Open cycle	Close & Open cycle	Close & Open cycle	Close & Open cycle
Transformer Supply	220–240V AC	220–240V AC	220–240V AC (inbuilt toroidal)	220–240V AC (inbuilt toroidal)
USB Software Upgrades	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes
Self Diagnostics Screen	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes

* Please note that the operation speed is dependent on the gates weight and pull force

Choose your Ultima

DACE Ultima RT25

The next generation of the Sprint, for residential gates up to 500kg and 15m.

$820 Electric
$980 Solar

Fastest of the RT and HT: 25 m/min
Kit includes 4m racking, 2 remotes,
2 release keys

View RT25 Kit

DACE Ultima HT18

The next generation of the Condo, for residential and light commercial gates up to 600kg and 15m.

$820 Electric
$980 Solar

Built for heavier steel gates and busy driveways
Kit includes 4m racking, 2 remotes,
2 release keys

View HT18 Kit

DACE Ultima ACDC

For high-traffic residential gates up to 800kg and 20m, with inbuilt transformer and optional battery backup.

$990 Electric

Up to 30 m/min and 1500 cycles per day
Needs mains power at the gate. Not for solar-only.

View ACDC Kit

Quoted a Sprint or Condo? Ask these five questions

Put these to your supplier, then ask for the same answers on an Ultima:

Are the internal drive gears steel for both motors?
Can I adjust the opening and closing speed?
Does the motor come with a standalone solar charger?
Can I adjust the ramp up and ramp down?
Is the software upgradable?

The Ultima range answers yes to all five.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions on the DACE Ultima

Can the Ultima motors run during a power outage?
Yes. The RT25 and HT18 run off an included 12V battery (charged by transformer or solar). The AC/DC 800 supports optional battery backup — add a 12V 7Ah battery.

What's the maximum gate size each model handles?
The RT25 and HT18 both handle gates up to 15m. The AC/DC 800 and 500 handle gates up to 20m in length.

Can I install these myself?
Yes — all four are supplied as DIY kits. The 12V low-voltage system means no electrician is required. Low-voltage cable can be stapled along the fence or buried just 100mm underground.

Are these motors weather resistant?
Yes. All four models are designed for outdoor Australian conditions. The transformer included in the electric kits for the RT and HT is rated IP67.

Is there an obstruction safety feature?
Yes — all models include adjustable collision sensing in both the open and close directions.

Can I set the gate to auto-close?
Yes. All models have configurable auto-close times from 1 sec up to 30 minutes.

What warranty is included?
All four models include a 2-year back-to-base warranty covering the motor, gearbox, and control board.

How do I measure if my gate is suitable?
Measure startup force and running force with a luggage or fishing scale.

What happens if I have questions when I'm installing?
If you have questions throughout the installation, you can call the office Monday - Friday to speak with our trained staff PH: 07 3205 3002

Automatic farm gate openers, electric or solar

BUYING GUIDE · AUSTRALIA

AUTOMATIC FARM GATE OPENERS, ELECTRIC OR SOLAR

"Farm gate automation" covers more ground than solar alone — plenty of properties automate a gate with straightforward electric power because mains already reaches the gate. This guide compares electric and solar, swing and slide, and walks through what's actually involved in fitting one to an existing gate.

WHY AUTOMATE A FARM GATE

Beyond convenience, an automatic gate means not having to get out of the vehicle to open and close a gate in the rain, at night, or with your hands full — and it lets you control who's coming and going without needing to be at the gate yourself. For working properties, that adds up over hundreds of openings a week.

AUTOMATIC FARM GATE OPENERS, ELECTRIC OR SOLAR

ELECTRIC OR SOLAR — WHICH DO YOU NEED?

If mains power already runs near the gate, an electric (mains-powered) opener is usually the simpler and often cheaper option upfront. If the gate is any real distance from power — which is the case for a lot of farm entrances and paddock gates — solar avoids the cost and disruption of running a cable, and works entirely off-grid.

ELECTRIC VS SOLAR FARM GATE OPENERS

	ELECTRIC (MAINS)	SOLAR
Best when	Mains power is already close to the gate	The gate is far from power, or running a cable isn't practical
Install	May need a cable run and an electrician for final connection	No trenching or cabling — fully DIY-friendly
Running cost	Minimal, drawn from household mains	None — free once installed

Going off-grid? Our full solar gate opener guide covers panel sizing, battery life, and cloudy-day performance in more detail.

SWING OR SLIDE?

SWING VS SLIDING GATE AUTOMATION

	SWING GATE	SLIDING GATE
Space needed	Clear arc for the gate to swing open	Clear run alongside the fence line
Good for	Flat entrances, standard driveways, most farm gates	Sloped driveways, wide openings, tight spaces

FITTING AN OPENER TO AN EXISTING GATE

CHECK YOUR GATE IS SOUND

Hinges, posts, and the gate frame need to be in solid condition before automating — a motor will find and expose any existing weak points, not create new ones.

CONFIRM WEIGHT AND WIDTH

These two numbers decide which kit has enough torque and travel range for your gate.

CHOOSE ELECTRIC OR SOLAR

Based on how close mains power is, and whether trenching a cable to the gate is practical.

INSTALL AND TEST

Most kits are DIY from here, with clear instructions and phone support if you want to double-check anything before you commit.

RECOMMENDED KITS

E8 500

Entry-level kit for a single farm gate or acreage driveway, available in solar or mains-powered setup.

TMT 400LLS

Heavy-duty swing gate motor for large timber or steel gates on wide rural entrances.

ULTIMA DACE

High-traffic sliding gate opener for a driveway used several times a day.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's the difference between automatic and electric farm gates?

"Automatic" describes any gate that opens and closes on its own — the motor can be powered either by mains electricity or by a solar panel and battery. "Electric" specifically means mains-powered. Both are automatic; electric is one way of powering that automation.

Do automatic farm gates need mains power?

No — solar kits run entirely off their own panel and battery, so mains power isn't required at all. It only matters if you specifically choose an electric (mains-powered) kit.

Can an automatic opener be added to an existing gate?

In most cases, yes, as long as the gate, hinges, and posts are in solid condition. If your existing gate is damaged or undersized for the opener's requirements, that's worth addressing first.

How much does it cost to automate a farm gate in Australia?

Cost depends on the kit, gate size, and whether you go electric or solar (and whether cabling is required). Call our team with your gate's details and we'll talk through options at different price points.

Solar or electric — which should I choose?

If mains power is close to the gate, electric is usually simpler and cheaper upfront. If the gate is any real distance from power, solar avoids cabling costs entirely and is fully self-contained.

PROVEN ACROSS AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS

BUYING GUIDE

SOLAR GATE OPENERS

Full comparison of solar vs mains, panel sizing, and battery life for off-grid properties.

QLD · DARLING DOWNS

DARLING DOWNS FARMS & ACREAGE

Cropping and grazing country — heat, red dust, and gates used multiple times a day.

QLD · Western Queensland

REMOTE & OFF-GRID WESTERN QLD

Station country with no mains power at the gate — fully self-contained solar setups.

NOT SURE WHICH KIT SUITS YOUR GATE?

Tell us your gate weight, width, and power situation — we'll point you to the right setup, solar or mains.

PH: 07 3205 3002
HOURS: Mon–Thurs 9am–4pm, Fri 9am–3pm

Hits: 517

Written by Super User on 05 August 2026. Posted in Articles.

Solar gate openers, built for Australian properties

BUYING GUIDE · AUSTRALIA

SOLAR GATE OPENERS, BUILT FOR AUSTRALIAN PROPERTIES

Whether it's a suburban driveway or a paddock gate three kilometres from the house, the right gate opener depends on your gate, your power access, and how often it's used. This guide covers solar vs mains power, swing vs slide gates, how to pick the right kit, and answers to the questions we get asked most.

Not sure solar is right for you? See our full guide to electric vs solar farm gate openers for a broader comparison of both power options.

SOLAR GATE AUTOMATION FOR WESTERN QUEENSLAND

SOLAR VS MAINS POWER

This is the first decision, and it usually comes down to how far your gate sits from mains power — not personal preference. Here's how the two compare:

SOLAR VS MAINS-POWERED GATE OPENERS

	SOLAR	MAINS-POWERED
Power source	Self-contained panel & battery — fully off-grid	Runs off your existing mains supply
Install complexity	No trenching or cabling required — genuinely DIY-friendly	Needs a cable run to the gate; may need an electrician for the final connection
Best for	Remote gates, farm entrances, anywhere mains power doesn't reach	Suburban driveways with easy access to power near the gate
Ongoing running cost	None — power is free once installed	Minimal, drawn from household mains
Reliability in bad weather	Battery backup covers overcast stretches; very low sun over many consecutive days can reduce charge	Not weather-dependent

SWING VS SLIDE GATES

The second decision is your gate type — this is usually already decided by your existing gate or driveway layout, but worth confirming before you buy a kit.

SWING VS SLIDING GATE AUTOMATION

	SWING GATE	SLIDING GATE
Space needed	Clear arc for the gate to swing open, inward or outward	Clear run alongside the fence line, no arc needed
Good for	Flat entrances, standard driveways, most farm gates	Sloped driveways, wide openings, tight spaces with no swing room
Typical install	Motor mounts to a post beside the gate	Motor and track mount along the ground or fence line

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT KIT

WEIGH AND MEASURE YOUR GATE

Gate weight and width are the two numbers that decide which motor has enough torque and travel range. Most kits list a maximum weight and length — check your gate against both, not just one.

CHECK POWER ACCESS

If mains power doesn't reach the gate, or running a cable means trenching a long distance, solar is almost always the more practical and cheaper option overall once install cost is factored in.

CONFIRM SWING OR SLIDE

Your existing gate and driveway layout usually decides this for you — swing needs clear arc space, sliding needs a clear run along the fence line.

MATCH THE KIT TO HOW OFTEN IT'S USED

A single household driveway and a station entrance used a dozen times a day by different vehicles need different duty cycles. Heavier daily use calls for a heavier-duty motor, even if the gate itself isn't that heavy.