Programming and controls · Rolling Shutter Guide
How do I adjust the limit screws on a switch-operated shutter motor?
On the motor head, the screw whose arrow points up sets the bottom limit; the down-arrow screw sets the top. Turn toward + to add travel and toward – to take it away. For a limit that overruns, turn toward – until the shutter stops short by itself, then turn toward + to creep it into place.
Key facts
- Each arrow shows the way the axle turns for that move, so on a Roll-A-Shield shutter the up-arrow screw sets the DOWN limit and the down-arrow screw sets the UP limit. Roll-A-Shield data
- Roll-A-Shield presets the limits when the shutter is built; in rare cases they drift or zero themselves in shipping, and the first test is done by two people with the box cover off. Roll-A-Shield data
- Gaposa rates its mechanical-limit motors for about 4 minutes of running before the thermal protector cuts in, so long adjustment sessions need rest breaks.
- Mechanical-limit and manual-override motors have no obstacle detection; only the limit stops the curtain. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Gaposa mechanical-limit motors on a wall switch, and Gaposa manual-override (CMO) motors, wired or radio, on rolling shutters including Roll-A-Shield's. Somfy override motors use push-buttons instead, and Gaposa radio motors without override set their limits from the remote; both are linked below.
Which motors have limit screws?
Motors with mechanical limits: a switch-operated motor without a radio, and a manual-override motor, whether it runs from a switch or a remote. On these the limits are two adjusting screws on the motor head, and the switch or remote only drives the shutter while you turn them.
| Your motor | How its limits are set |
|---|---|
| Gaposa switch-operated (mechanical limits) | Two screws on the motor head, this page |
| Gaposa manual-override, wired or radio | The same two screws, this page |
| Somfy manual-override, wired or radio | White and yellow push-buttons; see the Somfy override page |
| Gaposa radio motor without override | From the remote's back buttons; see adjusting a Gaposa limit |
Roll-A-Shield's switch-operated shutters run from a paddle or toggle wall switch (momentary or maintained) or an outdoor key switch (momentary). The kind of switch makes no difference to setting the limits.
What do I need, and do I have to open the box?
Yes: the screws are on the motor head inside the shutter box, at the motor end. Roll-A-Shield's guide checks the limits with the box cover off, one person inside at the switch and one outside watching the shutter.
Tools: the limit adjustment tool that fits the screws; the wall switch (or the paired remote on a radio override motor); a helper; a ladder.
Stop: Mechanical-limit and manual-override motors have no obstacle detection. While you are changing a limit nothing else will stop the curtain, so if it looks like it is going too far, stop it at the switch straight away. You never need to open the switch box or touch the motor wiring to set limits. Following a published Roll-A-Shield guide does not void the warranty. Mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician.
Which screw sets the top and which the bottom?
The screw whose arrow points up sets the bottom limit, and the screw whose arrow points down sets the top limit. The arrow shows which way the axle turns for that screw's move: to lower the curtain into the rails, the axle turns the way the up arrow points.
Each screw also carries a plus and a minus. Plus adds travel in that screw's direction and minus takes it away. Go by those printed marks rather than by clockwise or counterclockwise; Gaposa says the procedure is the same with the motor on the left or the right of the box.
How do I fix a limit that goes too far?
Back the limit off until the shutter stops short, then add travel back a little at a time.
- Start at the opposite end from the bad limit, so you have the whole travel to work with: shutter up if the bottom overruns, down if the top overruns.
- Run the shutter toward the bad limit and, while it moves, turn that limit's screw toward minus, many turns.
- If the shutter is about to pass the right point before it stops, reverse it and keep turning toward minus, then run it toward the limit again. It can take a few tries.
- When the shutter stops short on its own, turn the same screw toward plus while holding the switch. The shutter now creeps a little at a time.
- Stop when it reaches the right point, then run it fully up and down to test both limits.
How do I fix a limit that stops short?
Turn that limit's screw toward plus. Gaposa's procedure for the top: run the shutter up until it stops, then turn the upper screw toward plus until the shutter reaches the position you want; if you go past it, run the shutter down a short way, turn toward minus and repeat. The bottom works the same way with the other screw.
Where should the shutter stop?
Roll-A-Shield's install guide gives the targets.
- Top: the bottom slat still sits inside the guide rails.
- Bottom: the whole roll of slat is off the axle and the hanging straps have pushed the top slat toward the box.
- Too far: if the slat starts to roll up the wrong way round the axle at the bottom, stop the shutter at once with the switch.
If it has already happened and the top slats are bent, read a shutter that ran past its limit before running it again.
What changes on a radio override motor?
You wake the motor with the remote first.
- On the remote, select the channel for this shutter.
- Hold the left programming button on the back of the remote until the motor jogs.
- The motor jogs slightly up or down. If it jogged the wrong way, press UP or DOWN to correct the direction.
- Turn the screws exactly as above: the up-arrow screw for the bottom limit, the down-arrow screw for the top.
What if it still is not right?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Turning a screw changes the wrong end | Turned the other screw | Up-arrow screw = bottom, down-arrow screw = top |
| Still overruns after many turns | Turning toward plus, not minus | Check the printed marks and reverse |
| Motor stops responding mid-session | Thermal protector after about 4 minutes of running | Rest about 15 minutes |
| Runs the wrong way for the switch | Up and down wires swapped at the switch | Not a limit problem: turn the power off and have a licensed electrician check the switch wiring |
| No movement and no hum | No power | See why a shutter won't go up or down |
For a limit that will not hold at all, or a motor you cannot reach, call (480) 921-0200.
Watch it done
How to Adjust Mechanical Limits on a Switch Motor
The written steps on this page are the reference; the video shows the same job.
Frequently asked questions
Which way do I turn the screw, clockwise or counterclockwise?
Go by the plus and minus marks printed beside each screw on the motor head, not by clockwise or counterclockwise. Plus adds travel in that screw's direction and minus removes it, whichever side of the box the motor is on.
My shutter goes down too far. Which screw do I turn?
The one whose arrow points up. That arrow shows the way the axle turns to lower the curtain, so it controls the bottom limit. Turn it toward minus to stop the shutter higher.
Can I set these limits from a remote?
Not on a mechanical-limit or override motor; the screws are the limits. On a radio override motor the remote only drives the shutter and wakes the motor while you turn the screws.
The motor stopped responding while I was adjusting. Is it broken?
Probably not. Gaposa rates these motors for about 4 minutes of running before the thermal protector cuts in. Let it rest about 15 minutes, then carry on.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Replacement motors, remotes, straps, slats and hardware ship from our Tempe, Arizona factory. Phoenix-area owners can book a service visit; everywhere else, our technicians help by phone. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.