So I want to build an automatic gate opener since I don't want to pay $400+ for something like the GTO mule.

This site is full of people that seem to be able to come up with ideas on how to rig up lots of things so I figured I'd ask.

I'm stuck at what do to do for the actual opener that will swing the gate open/closed and survive in outside conditions.

I was thinking of finding an old big satellite dish actuator, that swung the dish around, but I'd need to feed it with 36V to make it something you don't fall asleep waiting for it to open.

I want to power it with a 12v battery which I will keep charged with a solar setup, and have a remote to activate it.

Suggestions?

(too bad they don't make a super large version of the door lock actuators we use on our trucks to do all sorts of things).

 

Well it depends on what you want it to do what type of gate etc.

First; Do you want it to swing or lift?
Second; What type of gate is it? (IE tube, wrought iron, wooden)
Third; How long is the gate?

But honestly unless you have all the parts already layng around, there is a real good chance that you are going to run close to $400, maybe even more in parts and materials. That's not counting your time and labor to put it together.

 

It's about a 12' chain link swing gate, it's pretty light.

The GTO mules for $400 just have the actuator/remotes so it just seems pricey for that.

 

Would you consider renovating the gate so that it rolled behind and parrell to the fence? I see more of these kinds of electric gates. I guess the rollers work with less energy than a swing gate.



I have a second cousin that would love to move to florida and have a job as a gate man.

 

Well it won't take alot to move, the problem is you'll need a ram with a pretty long stroke. Which the satelite jack would do, but like you said is slower than moses. The problem with giving it mor juice to speed it up is one of two things. They make a mechanical jack that is basically a gear driven mechanical jack. The motor has a very small gear and is already turning pretty fast. There is not enough room in the case to install a larger drive gear to speed it up. If you give it more juice to speed it up it will burn up pretty quick.

Similar problem on a hydrolic jack, The built in pump is already turning really fast. Just isn't putting out the volume to move alot of fluid in a short amount of time. Speed it up and you'll burn up the pump.

Off the top of my head...
On the cheap, with out spending a thousand dollars in parts.
Any power steering pump, 12v electric motor "IE starter", long stroke ram with spring return, battery, solar panel, remote control system.

Put a pulley on the starter and mount it and the power steering pump to a steel plate with battery, attach starter and power steering pump together with a belt. Build a case around starter/pump assembly to protect from weather. Mount solar panel on case.
Run hydaulic lines to the ram that is attached to the gate and the corner post. Set remote system so that when actuated it runs starter for 45 second or however long you think it will take you to get thru the gate. When it shuts off the spring will close the ram closing the gate.

Granted you are not suppose to run a starter for more than 30 seconds on a vehicle, but since it's not under a full load of torque then it won't over heat very easily. So should beable to run it for 2 mins at a time, several times a day with out worry.

This is just an idea starter, I would sit and plan and make lots of mods to the design before I ever began to build it myself.

Edited:

Silver has a GREAT idea which sparked a really cheap idea.
Install it on rollers to slide open. A simple 12 volt motor and any number of ways to pull it open with out hydraulics. Dropes it down to just a motor, solar panel, battery, and remote. Less to go wrong = less maintence too.

 

Yeah, the rolling method does seem easier. I'll play with that.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

If you have a paved drive you can put a roller on the end so it is supported will rolling behind the fence. If it is a reversing motor you can use a small roller chain hooked to the gate and ran around a drive sprocket on the motor.

 

Here is a pretty high tech way to do ithttp://www.easygates.co.uk/canti_gate_kit.asp

Scroll to the bottom of this page as well. It has a prety good drawing of how to do it right.
http://www.amazinggates.com/sliding_gates.html

Oh hell just do a search for "sliding gates" and you will get hundreds of ideas.

 

Under $400 seems pretty tough to do. At work we have gates for for vehicles. One is elevated on a series of rollers and the actual gate itself is about twice the length of the opening. I assume it is for counter weight purposes. The gate although very low to the ground never touches the ground. It probably takes 20 to 30 seconds to open fully.

Another automobile gate actually swings open. It is about 12' wide and opens very quickly. Probably no more than 5 seconds.

I have seen gates like the first one I mentioned that actually rolls on rubber wheels.

I have no idea how to build one. Just giving info on what I've seen. I'm sure one could be rigged up using a remote garage door opener. But under $400?

 

If your married just send the wife out to open and or close it. If not then maybe your girlfriend will do it for you.

 

Thats why if Im not driving and there is 3 people, then I dont want to ride shotgun, because thats the person that has to get out and open the gates. LOL

 

Harbor Freight has one, regularly $400, now on sale for $330 - may be worth checking out - do a search for "gate" from the web site. Kinda looks like an oversized door lock activator.

Jim