Has anyone used an Electric gate kit?
Discussion
I never thought about the underground one.
I`m basically wanting to add to existing sandstone pillars and wrought iron gates. Underground ones would probably be a hassle to "retro-fit".
I think a lot of the expense (all) is in the motors. they are small and do have to move a fair weight (up to 200 kg). The variations in price are quite big though.....
I`m basically wanting to add to existing sandstone pillars and wrought iron gates. Underground ones would probably be a hassle to "retro-fit".
I think a lot of the expense (all) is in the motors. they are small and do have to move a fair weight (up to 200 kg). The variations in price are quite big though.....
Ten years ago I used to fit these. Here are some pointers:
Strong Arms
-----------
These type of cylinder actuators are what you would find in a moveable satelite dish arm and they come in different guises. There are the rack and pinion type which powers a small motor with reduction gearbox and pushes and pulls a rack which is attached to the gate while the motor is attached to the post. These are rare these days but availbale through Italian sources. The other types are small hydraulic with ram which are more expensive due their complexity, but will provide better service. The downfall is that they are slow and don't like heavy gates (especially gates with wooden panels where wind force turns them into sails
) and they are also easy to undo, thus providing poor security. Also these are no good for the small drive as you need enough room for them to close once the car is in.
Underground Actuator Motors
---------------------------
These provide more torque (generally) and are the professional way of doing the job. They are a bit more awkward to fit because you need to set them into concrete. The main advantage is they look like normal gates and that the gate opening speeds are quicker than one slider, as both leaves are operating at the same time. The downfall to these is the drainage ability they require: If you are considering underground motors you need a minimum of 65mm from your gate hinge point to the post. Also they should not be used near soak aways, the preferred method is drainage to a drain, or lower laying land. The reason being all underground motors when new will work underwater, but to avoid water entering the motor after time, it is better to correctly drain the founation boxes at the begining. If you cannot achieve this look above ground gate openers as an alternative, it offers a near invisible profile from the outside of the gate.
Sliders
-------
Rack and pinion offers an excellent advantage to where there isn't room for twin-leafed gates. They are relatively inexpensive and are easy to maintain. The drawbacks are you have to maintain them regulalry (or check I should say) to make sure that there is nothing likey to interfere with the rack and pinion - stones is a good example as they jam. You will have to have a guide track diamond drilled into the floor across the width of the driveway, and it doesn't matter so mucg if this is also a water runaway. These gates can be quite slow.
General
-------
Health and Safety is now very prominent with installs. You have to have Infra red beams to stop the gates from moving if triggered. All gates need to be mentioned to your house insurance company; some companies offer cover for personal accident and some won't cover you if you have them - shop around and ask the quesions first!
Average install price as done by a pro ranges from £1500-2000 excluding the gates for a twinleaved set up, and £800-£1800 for a slider.
Also bear in mind: if you live on a main road, you need to allow enough time for the gates to open before you can swing in. So a long range remote is a prerequisite.
Then there's the question of how passengers get to your house, and your postmen. Do you provide an intercom with cctv (most do) or do you have a button to open the gate a bit, or even a gate within a gate. many options. Need any advice, just ask
Strong Arms
-----------
These type of cylinder actuators are what you would find in a moveable satelite dish arm and they come in different guises. There are the rack and pinion type which powers a small motor with reduction gearbox and pushes and pulls a rack which is attached to the gate while the motor is attached to the post. These are rare these days but availbale through Italian sources. The other types are small hydraulic with ram which are more expensive due their complexity, but will provide better service. The downfall is that they are slow and don't like heavy gates (especially gates with wooden panels where wind force turns them into sails
) and they are also easy to undo, thus providing poor security. Also these are no good for the small drive as you need enough room for them to close once the car is in. Underground Actuator Motors
---------------------------
These provide more torque (generally) and are the professional way of doing the job. They are a bit more awkward to fit because you need to set them into concrete. The main advantage is they look like normal gates and that the gate opening speeds are quicker than one slider, as both leaves are operating at the same time. The downfall to these is the drainage ability they require: If you are considering underground motors you need a minimum of 65mm from your gate hinge point to the post. Also they should not be used near soak aways, the preferred method is drainage to a drain, or lower laying land. The reason being all underground motors when new will work underwater, but to avoid water entering the motor after time, it is better to correctly drain the founation boxes at the begining. If you cannot achieve this look above ground gate openers as an alternative, it offers a near invisible profile from the outside of the gate.
Sliders
-------
Rack and pinion offers an excellent advantage to where there isn't room for twin-leafed gates. They are relatively inexpensive and are easy to maintain. The drawbacks are you have to maintain them regulalry (or check I should say) to make sure that there is nothing likey to interfere with the rack and pinion - stones is a good example as they jam. You will have to have a guide track diamond drilled into the floor across the width of the driveway, and it doesn't matter so mucg if this is also a water runaway. These gates can be quite slow.
General
-------
Health and Safety is now very prominent with installs. You have to have Infra red beams to stop the gates from moving if triggered. All gates need to be mentioned to your house insurance company; some companies offer cover for personal accident and some won't cover you if you have them - shop around and ask the quesions first!
Average install price as done by a pro ranges from £1500-2000 excluding the gates for a twinleaved set up, and £800-£1800 for a slider.
Also bear in mind: if you live on a main road, you need to allow enough time for the gates to open before you can swing in. So a long range remote is a prerequisite.
Then there's the question of how passengers get to your house, and your postmen. Do you provide an intercom with cctv (most do) or do you have a button to open the gate a bit, or even a gate within a gate. many options. Need any advice, just ask
whoa, great info there.
It is basically an add-on to gates that are already there. We want the gates electrified as there is currently a wall/hedge of about 8ft and the gates are the only way in. Dont want folk coming in. But the gate kits I have seen dont have any sort of Intercom setup. Any recommendations for something like that?
It is basically an add-on to gates that are already there. We want the gates electrified as there is currently a wall/hedge of about 8ft and the gates are the only way in. Dont want folk coming in. But the gate kits I have seen dont have any sort of Intercom setup. Any recommendations for something like that?
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