Automatic Gate Opener

[RxRatedZ71]

Today I ordered an automatic gate opener to be installed on our property. We've needed on for 5 years but havent wanted to compromise in quality so we opted to wait. Our gate is a 14'8 wrought iron gate custom built by a local welder in the area. We bricked around the posts shortly after install and then learned that this limits our options of openers that we can use. Also, we have to have solar since we're too far from a power source.

We've chosen to use a Liftmaster Elite 240V pad-mount opener. It uses scissor action rather that the typical hydraulic arm. I agreed to pour the pad to help with costs. We are going with a keypad entrance and exit. Stay tuned for some pics of the project...

 

[Dr Dave]

Will you have a remote for your vehicals. Do you have any pics of your custom gate. thanks

Dave

 

[RxRatedZ71]

We will have 3 remotes for our vehicles, 2 entry/exit keypads, and then a KnoxLock for fire & emergency personnel. Its required by code for our area. I would hate to think what could possibly happen if they couldnt gain access. I read about a house burning one time b/c a residence didnt pay their dues to the local fire district. The trucks came out to protect their neighbors homes from burning but not theirs. Also, i would think that your homeowners policy might have an unfavorable opinion about that also.
Ill try to get some pics up...

 

[Stimw]

I just bought a Mighty Mule Double Opener today for $599. plus tax at TSC for the gate in the pic.
I have had one from Harbor Freight for about 8 years but the codes for the remotes got messed up and I couldn't get it to work for the last 4 years.
A lot of my neighbors have Mule Openers and they don't have problems with them.
I will have remotes, key pad and a push button in the house.

 

[crbr]

Thanks for the picture

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I like the separate pad when it can be used. The newer ones have memory that has soft open and soft close, wonderful.

On your key pads, I encourage my customers to allow me to place them where they can't be operated from the vehicle, security thing.

I'm pricing a replacement set of Byan hydraulic closers for a client. I installed the gates with operators twenty (20) years ago and now he is having issues. They were the best available then and according to the pricing, best available now. Four weeks and more than some operators cost would allow the customer to have these rebuilt. We will replace instead.

Twenty years, tough enough.

 

[Dr Dave]

I'm curious, why would you not want to opperate, from a vehical, wouldn't getting out of a vehical, to enter a code, be a risk at night? Sounds like you have been doing this for more than 20 Years, I'm sure there is a good reason. thanks

Dave

 

[Redneck in training]

Residents have remotes. Visitors have get out.

 

[Redneck in training]

Residents have remotes. Visitors have to get out.

 

[RxRatedZ71]

The pad will be at least 24"x28"x16"+ deep. Ive thought about mounting the keypad to that tree along side the drive, but im not sold on that yet.

We are required to have a KnoxLock on the outside for emergency personnel entrance. Ive heard stories where a house burned b/c a resident didnt pay their annual dues to the local fire district. The FD still came out to the fire (to keep it from burning the neighbor's house down.) I would think if you didnt follow code and get a permit and your house burned b/c the FD didnt put it out, your homeowners insurance might be a bit P.O.'d....

 

[jwmorris]

We've chosen to use a Liftmaster Elite 240V pad-mount opener. It uses scissor action rather that the typical hydraulic arm.

I don't know of any opener that uses hydraulics. The ones your are likely thinking about are a linear actuator. They work pretty much the same way a trailer jack works.

I picked up lift master 3 button remotes and RX's and installed them to operate the garage, shop and gate with one remote. I also have a keypad mounted on a post outside the gate so you can drive up, roll down the window and enter code.

Mount your solar panel so it gets good sun once there are leaves on the trees. one other thing I did was mount a side marker light so when the gate is operating I can tell, even in the dark.

 

[Stimw]

I hope the pillars are reinforced!! That's a lot of weight for that masonry to handle.

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The pad will be at least 24"x28"x16"+ deep. Ive thought about mounting the keypad to that tree along side the drive, but im not sold on that yet.

We are required to have a KnoxLock on the outside for emergency personnel entrance. Ive heard stories where a house burned b/c a resident didnt pay their annual dues to the local fire district. The FD still came out to the fire (to keep it from burning the neighbor's house down.) I would think if you didnt follow code and get a permit and your house burned b/c the FD didnt put it out, your homeowners insurance might be a bit P.O.'d....

 

[Jimbrown]

Wow a 240v solar package. That has got to be big and costly.

I use an Apollo 3600 dual gate opener. It is a scissor system and runs on 12v solar.

Apollo 3600ETL Solar Compatible Dual Swing Gate Opener

 

[RxRatedZ71]

Wow a 240v solar package. That has got to be big and costly.

Ive noticed that all the nice, gated communities had one thing in common with their gates; they all used the Elite openers. The mfc says rated for 1million cycles plus and a 7 year residential warranty. We had checked into them last year but were compromising if we didnt go w/ the Elite. My quotes last year were upwards of $5k and it wasnt in solar. Now the quotes are lower this year and solar is an option.

http://www.liftmaster.com/lmcv2/pages/productmodeldetail.aspx?modelId=9713

 

[Ranger Rick]

Ive noticed that all the nice, gated communities had one thing in common with their gates; they all used the Elite openers. The mfc says rated for 1million cycles plus and a 7 year residential warranty. We had checked into them last year but were compromising if we didnt go w/ the Elite. My quotes last year were upwards of $5k and it wasnt in solar. Now the quotes are lower this year and solar is an option.

http://www.liftmaster.com/lmcv2/pages/productmodeldetail.aspx?modelId=9713

I noticed on the MFC site that the solar version qualifies for a 30% federal tax credit. Good deal for you. Rick

 

[edlegault]

So, I see these metal/steel gates with a coded entry. What's to keep the bad guy intruder from just driving through the wooden fence???

 

[2458n]

Bad guys stay on the paved areas. I worked for a major garage door factory in the test lab at one time. The liftmaster was a heck of a long lasting opener. I would buy one of their old products in a minute. The problem is that many companies decide that the million opening standard is to costly to build. What can we do to reduce the cost and settle for 500,000 operations. Stanley used to make openers about 1mile from me. They followed this thinking and have been gone for 10 years or more.

 

[murphy1244]

what do these units cost?

 

[RxRatedZ71]

So, I see these metal/steel gates with a coded entry. What's to keep the bad guy intruder from just driving through the wooden fence???

In my case, the trees on either side make it difficult to navigate My 12 gauge pump makes sure they dont live to tell about it.

These units start about $1700 online, solar package another $300, and the accessories.

 

[jwmorris]

So, I see these metal/steel gates with a coded entry. What's to keep the bad guy intruder from just driving through the wooden fence???

Dont know about the others but my fence is all steel. Guess if I were wanting in I would just disconnect the opener from the gate and open the gate.

In gated communities you would just follow someone else in.

I also have an infrared motion sensors that transmit back to the house so I know when someone or something is moving around. So if your an intruder or bad guy breaking into my property will only be the start of your problems.

It's a deterrent, doesn't turn your property into Fort Knox. Good thing most crooked people are lazy.