OT Electric gate

Elmo · May 16, 2018

I need to replace my driveway gate. I have a single pipe across my driveway and would like to replace it with something similar with the capability to open and shut by remote control so my wife don’t have to stop and open or close it, especially during rain. Any help will be appreciated from folks who have one.
Elmo

Elmo · May 16, 2018

The gate will have to be battery powered with a solar charger since it is a quarter mile from the house.
Elmo

Steve@Advance · May 16, 2018

There are lots of gate openers to choose from.

Common to have it operate off grid with a 12v auto battery and solar charger. Just be sure to specify that when buying one.

They make basically 3 types, chain drive for sliding gates, liner actuator and swing arm type for hinged gates. The chain drive sliding gate type is the most secure. The swing type are not very secure, they are basically just for opening and closing a gate, not locking it.

There is also a feature that will allow operating and monitoring with a cell phone. Handy for operating it from anywhere.

If you are installing it your self, and are confident it can be done without much tech advise, buying one online will be your best bargain. They can also be bought from the big box stores. And there are companies that will turn key install one, but be prepared to pay the price!

d9gdon · May 16, 2018

(quoted from post at 23:37:43 05/16/18)
The gate will have to be battery powered with a solar charger since it is a quarter mile from the house.
Elmo

I've had my Apollo gate opener on my entry gate for 8 years now. My entry gate is a 16 ft steel pipe framed gate with hog panel welded on it at the bottom and then two horizontal pipes above the panel. The pipe frame and cross pipe is two inch. It is a heavy gate.

Here's a YouTube video. Mine has linkage welded onto the gate that gives it more leverage. I can't explain it other than it's like an elbow or a scissor link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkt708IlGmY

Here's a better example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUBMxrm7kkc

Mine works great. It got struck by lightning about 5 years ago but Apollo warrantied it fully and replaced the board in it.

I'm on my second battery in all those years. It has a solar battery charger to keep the battery full.

I'm out of state now, but I could get you a picture of my gate in the next couple of weeks if you decide to go with this.

I'm really impressed with their durability since there's 4 of us that used it daily for the first 3 or 4 years, with 2 of them being teenagers going in and out more than 5 times a day.

Dean · May 16, 2018

I have a double inward swinging gate with DC/solar powered gate opener on my "new" driveway.

The openers are linear actuators. The gate has a solenoid operated latch to "lock" the gates together once closed. Operation is by remote control or gatepost mounted keypad.

Everything operates open loop, which is a concern (I'm an EE), but in the three years that it has been in place, I have had few issues aside from adjustment issues, which I corrected myself once out of initial warranty.

I oversized the solar panel to assure no discharge issues and am still using the original marine deep cycle battery.

That said, such systems will be a continual maintenance issue. If you are not technically inclined, I would advise that you establish a relationship with a nearby well established and reliable fence/gate opener installer (Where will one find one of those?).

Dean

RobCons · May 17, 2018

I have installed several. A popular brand is mighty mule. Economical and available at TSC, HD, etc. Frankly they tend to cause the most trouble. Apollo is a very good brand.

OT Electric gate

Elmo

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Elmo

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Steve@Advance

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d9gdon

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Dean

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RobCons

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