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Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterDoorKing Access Control Installation: The Johns Creek Owner’s Guide
DoorKing access control installation in Johns Creek typically runs $1,200-$2,800 for a complete keypad, card reader, or telephone entry system, depending on whether we’re pulling wire through an existing conduit or trenching new cable across the driveway. Most residential retrofits on Nesbit Ferry Road and the Medlock Bridge corridor finish in one day; community entry systems with multiple call boxes usually need two. We stock DoorKing 1812, 1833, and 1834 series components on our Johns Creek trucks, and we quote every job in writing before any conduit gets opened.
Most owners figure out something’s wrong when the gate stops responding to codes entirely, or when visitors press the call button and hear static instead of ringing through to the house. Sometimes it’s intermittent: the gate opens at 9 a.m. but ignores the same PIN at 6 p.m. That pattern usually means the main board is losing voltage under load, not that your code changed overnight.
Which DoorKing Models This Applies To
DoorKing has produced entry systems since the early 1980s, and the model number matters more than the brand name when you’re matching parts. The 1812 series telephone entry units are still common on Johns Creek single-family driveways; the 1833 and 1834 keypad models handle higher traffic at subdivision entrances off Abbotts Bridge Road. If your unit has a white faceplate with a black membrane keypad, it’s likely a 1833. The 1834 adds the built-in proximity card reader.
To identify what you have, open the housing and photograph the label on the main board. We need the part number that starts with “DK” or “PCB” plus the firmware revision. The 1812-080 and 1812-090 boards look identical but use different relay configurations; swapping one for the other will power the strike but fail to release the magnetic lock. For power supplies, the 1201 transformer (16.5 VAC) fits the 1812 housing but will cook a 1834 board that expects 24 VDC from the 1202 supply. We carry both OEM DoorKing assemblies and quality aftermarket equivalents from Linear and SECO-LARM where the spec matches; the aftermarket units save roughly $80-$140 on parts but carry a shorter warranty. We’ll tell you which route makes sense once we see the label.
Signs Your DoorKing Access Control Installation Is Failing
- Keypad beeps but gate doesn’t move. The access controller is receiving your input, but the relay that signals the gate operator isn’t closing. On 1812 units, this is often a failed K1 or K2 relay on the main board; the board needs replacement, not just a reset.
- Intermittent recognition of valid codes. Temperature swings in Johns Creek, especially the humidity spikes in July and August, cause expansion and contraction at the terminal block. A loose neutral wire will pass voltage testing in the morning and drop out by afternoon.
- Call button dials the house, but you can’t buzz the gate open. The telephone line side works; the relay output side doesn’t. On older 1812-080 boards, the DTMF decoder chip fails before the voice circuit does.
- Keypad lights dim or flicker when buttons are pressed. The power supply is sagging under load. The 1201 transformer degrades gradually; output drops from 16.5 VAC to 13 VAC, and the logic board starts brownout cycling.
- Gate opens without any code entered. The strike relay is stuck closed, or moisture has bridged the output terminals. This is a security issue, not just a convenience problem; the gate is effectively unlocked until the board is pulled.
BeforeAfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Typical Range in Johns Creek |
|---|---|
| Board swap (1812 or 1833/34), existing housing | $680-$1,150 |
| Complete entry system replacement, reusing conduit | $1,200-$1,850 |
| New system with trenching and conduit, 20-40 ft driveway | $1,950-$2,800 |
| Power supply only (1201 or 1202) | $340-$520 |
| Keypad membrane replacement (1833/34) | $180-$290 |
The spread depends on three things: whether the existing conduit is intact (corroded PVC is common where sprinkler systems overspray), whether the gate operator needs a separate relay interface, and whether your DoorKing unit is communicating with a LiftMaster, FAAC, or Elite operator that requires a dry-contact adapter. We itemize every line: part number, labor hours, conduit or wire if needed. The price we write is the price you pay; under Haven Standard Clause 1, no work starts until you’ve seen and signed the scope. Every DoorKing installation we complete carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and we leave you the wiring diagram and photos of every terminal connection.
DIY or Call Us?
There’s a safe middle ground and a hard stop. You can verify the obvious: check that the breaker feeding the unit hasn’t tripped, confirm the phone line or Ethernet cable is seated, and look for ant nests or moisture in the housing. Those three checks solve about 15% of the calls we get.
Everything past that involves line voltage, low-voltage logic circuits, and relay outputs that can damage the gate operator if miswired. The 1812 board has 120 VAC on the terminal strip alongside 12 VDC logic; crossing them destroys the board and can arc inside the metal housing. We don’t recommend pulling the board, testing relays, or attempting a swap without a meter and the specific DoorKing wiring schematic for your revision. If the gate is stuck open or the relay is chattering, that’s a same-day security issue; call us. A live person answers at (678) 394-1765, and we’ll dispatch a technician with the right board on the truck.
FAQs
How long does a DoorKing access control system last in Johns Creek?
Most units run 10-14 years before the main board fails, but Georgia humidity cuts that to 7-10 years if the housing seal degrades and moisture reaches the terminal block. We see more premature failures on west-facing installations where afternoon sun bakes the housing. Call (678) 394-1765 and we’ll check your seal condition during the estimate.
Can the board be repaired instead of replaced?
Component-level repair is technically possible but rarely economical. The relay and decoder chips are surface-mounted, and DoorKing doesn’t authorize field rework; a repaired board usually fails again within months. We replace with new or factory-refurbished units that carry a full warranty. For an exact quote on your model, call (678) 394-1765.
How long does a replacement take?
A straight board swap in an existing housing takes 45-90 minutes. If we’re pulling new wire through existing conduit, plan on 2-3 hours. Full trenching and conduit runs for a new location typically need most of a day. We quote the time estimate in writing before we start, same as the price.
Do you stock DoorKing parts in Johns Creek?
We carry 1812, 1833, and 1834 main boards, both power supplies, keypad membranes, and the common relay interfaces on every Johns Creek truck. Less common items like the 1838 multi-tenant directory board we can source next-day. If you have the part number from your unit’s label, call (678) 394-1765 and we’ll confirm we have it before dispatching.
Written by Adrian Vance, Owner, Vance Gate Repair Johns Creek at Vance Gate Repair Johns Creek, serving Johns Creek and nearby areas.