Gate openers

IrTxRx · May 27, 2004

I am about to have my entire place fenced. There will be two gates that we will have to go through twice a day,every day. I know it won't take too many rainy days before my wife is none-to-happy with me (BTW - kids are too young to open the gates for us).

Question#1 - Can anyone offer advice on the installation of openers for 16' gate that weighs about 150#? Specifically what general problems do I need to look out for?

Question #2 - There seems to a big cost saving by purchasing on-line compared to local. Can anyone recommend a website that they were satisfied with?

Question #3 - What brand?

Question #4 - Solar vs low-voltage line? I have about 600-800' from nearest electric outlet. Cost of wire vs cost of solar panels will be about equal (although I didn't include trencher rental /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

Question #5 - What do you recommend for entry and exit hardware?

I should have probably posted on "Rural Living" but it seemed like most of the posters visited both sites.

Thanks for any wisdom you can share.

Ronbo · May 27, 2004

I have a Mighty Mule that I purchased from TSC. Added the solar charger. Well worth it if you do not have power or have questionable power. I have had mine about 4 years. Swing a 16 ft gate. Have replaced the battery twice, finally went to a 12 volt deep cycle battery, automobile size. We have about three weeks in december that we don't get enough sun to charge the battery. Controls are about $45, but I have not had any go bad yet.

Stonefox · May 27, 2004

IrTxRx, I purchased a GTO gate opener from Gate Crafters, who are in Florida, on-line. It is supposedly rated for 600# leafs. I have a 16' gate opening with dual live stock gates. The individual gates probably don't weigh more than 60# each, so there is plenty of torque in the openers to move them in the highest winds or to push some tumble weeds out of the way.. I have about 400' to the nearest outlet so I went with the solar powered charger and haven't had any problem. With my system you supposedly can cycle the gates 40x a day with out running out of juice. On their web site they have all the information you may need to make your decision. I am very happy with the product and the dealer support.
Stonefox

GerardC · May 27, 2004

Here's my gate and GTO Pro1000 opener. G

GerardC · May 27, 2004

Another View. G

wroughtn_harv · May 28, 2004

My first piece of advice is to start looking at all the gates that either have an operator hanging not being used and gates that are permantently open with the operator obviously inoperable.

Make a mental note not to buy that brand.

There's a lot more to a successful operation than just opening and closing a gate.

First there's safety. There are rules by law and points of common sense that need to be considered.

Then there's things like having the operator work off of the same transmitters as the garage doors. It's always nice to have a free exit feature so that you don't have to have a transmitter to get out. Key pads that handle the weather and time get more important the further from the house the gate is located. Intercoms are important. Video is now available at a reasonable cost if you can't see the gate from the house.

The biggest mistakes made on installations involve the hinges, hinge posts, and gate quality. The operators come in levels of quality. You do get what you pay for.

And if they fail you can guarantee it will be at the perfectly wrong time.

IrTxRx · May 28, 2004

Thanks for the posts,

GerardC - nice gate.

Has anyone used the magnetic car detectors for an exit gate actuator? Sounds like a nifty idea, but are they simple and reliable? I am using 2 7/8" pipe for corners, if this large enough for a gate post?

Thanks again

WHarv,
great idea to look at the ones left open. There is one on a county road on my way home. I'll check it tonight.

GerardC · May 28, 2004

Thanks.
I was going to get the auto detector but instead ran a doorbell button into the house and installed it next to my Video Intercom. That way I can see and talk to who's at the gate and open the gate from the comfort of my living room. I am "wired" direct for this. All vehicles (3) have remotes.
When I leave, I'll open the gate and the garage door from inside the house. I also bought the digital wireless keypad (set by the gate) and several additional remotes for the tractors, snow blower etcetera. G