Remote control of gate, suggestions

 Hi guys,

I have recently bought 20 acres out in the sticks and I found a 12v
gate opener in one of the sheds. I have tried it and it seems to work
OK, but there is nothing else to go with it. No controls and stuff.

Anyone now of kits of the following bits??

Key ring transmitter
12v Receiver with relay
Programmable, 10-digit key pad with relay for friends to use.

Or even better a complete controller that doesn't cost an arm and a
leg?

I have it hooked up with a 12v battery and a small solar trickle
charger, but I have to get out of the car and hold a button down to
open and close and that is not the whole idea. <vbg>

I can control the stop on open and close with limit switches to drop
power to the control relay.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received.


--

Kind regards,
  Jenny and her tribe of survivors.

 

Gate closers are usually very expensive depending on the type used.
Lever/swing operated are ok up to a 8-9 foot gate. After than every one
around here uses a rolling gate. Rollers have issues with weather. So think
about that before you start with a roller.
I believe you need more than a tickle charger depending on the gate and #
times operated a day.

I would do some research on what you have relative to manufacture. For me it
is always easier to connect same manufacture stuff than design my own.

 

     My first thought is to use a garage door transmitter/receiver, commonly
available at any Home Depot.  My second thought is that current drain of that
receiver is going to be critical.  Remember, that receiver is on 24/7 and it
will probably drain your battery more than the gate motor itself, because the
motor only runs for a few seconds at a time.  You will likely need more solar
cell and some type of charge controller to protect your battery from overcharge.

Vaughn

 

Jenny3kids@msn.net wrote:


    MPJA.com has kits like that. Don't remember offhand exactly what
they have and if it's suitable for your application.

    --Dale

 wrote:


Thanks to all, one thing I forgot to mention is that the gate is about
1/4 mile from the house so running cables is not really practical for
that distance. Id have to run fat cables to keep the voltage losses
reasonable and that gets expensive.

The keys to friends is not a really good idea as I'd have to also
issue them to the electic and gas people who come to read meters. I
spoke with the elec company and they have anyone of 5 guys so there'd
be keys everywhere. With a numeic keypad I can use the last 4 digits
of the account number for them or something like that.

I'll check out mpja, thanks Dale.

--

Kind regards,
  Jenny and her tribe of survivors.