zannej
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So, this is my front gate from the outside:
Well, part of it. I think it is 12 to 16ft and is hollow tube style. It seems fairly heavy, but I think it is under 200lbs.
Currently it is a pain to open and close (the anchor post needs to be replaced). The current locking mechanism is a chain that wraps around a post.
I need to be able to keep my gate closed so my cows don't get out and opening and closing the gate in the rain or extreme heat is very inconvenient-- to the point that my brother refuses to close the gate behind him.
I want a solar powered unit so I don't have to worry about failure during power outages or having to run long runs of electricity from the house out to the gate since it is quite a distance.
Here is a small section of my yard (I have over 30 acres) from google maps. You can't really see the gate because it is under trees. The security light pole is over 100ft away from the gate.
I was thinking of mounting the solar panel on the light pole because it is the closest spot out from under the trees. Alternatively, I could try to mount it on the car port, but that would be a lot farther and part of the car port needs to be replaced because it was smashed. I'm not sure just how to mount the panel though or in which direction to aim it for the best sun reception.
When I was looking for gate openers, there didn't seem to be much of a selection. The brand that had the least sucky reviews was Mighty Mule. So, I'm making a list of things I would need, but I'm also open to suggestions that might help keep costs down or would make it more efficient.
Here is the list of necessary items (that I know of so far):
I'm trying to figure out the best solution for dealing with package delivery. Unlike other people in my area, my gate is right at the very beginning of my property instead of being set back, so I can't really put anything out in front of the gate on the outside without it being in the way of the power company & timber company. Currently with the gate open, FedEx and UPS drivers can just drive right in. I would say I could put my phone number up and have them call me to be let in, but most of them can't get cell signal to be able to call from there. I thought about a "honk to be let in" thing, but I hate when people drive up and honk (usually only Jehova's Witnesses do it)... Maybe I could set up some sort of sensor that makes a noise in the house?
I would love to have an intercom so people could talk to us inside, but I'm not sure where the best place to put the internal unit would be.
I still have absolutely no clue what cables/wires to get for the solar panel. I know it will have to be more than 100ft to reach the battery (unless I see if I can put the panel on top of one of the old dog houses out front)-- and it will require digging to put wires underground. So I will need conduit to put it in.
Well, part of it. I think it is 12 to 16ft and is hollow tube style. It seems fairly heavy, but I think it is under 200lbs.
Currently it is a pain to open and close (the anchor post needs to be replaced). The current locking mechanism is a chain that wraps around a post.
I need to be able to keep my gate closed so my cows don't get out and opening and closing the gate in the rain or extreme heat is very inconvenient-- to the point that my brother refuses to close the gate behind him.
I want a solar powered unit so I don't have to worry about failure during power outages or having to run long runs of electricity from the house out to the gate since it is quite a distance.
Here is a small section of my yard (I have over 30 acres) from google maps. You can't really see the gate because it is under trees. The security light pole is over 100ft away from the gate.
I was thinking of mounting the solar panel on the light pole because it is the closest spot out from under the trees. Alternatively, I could try to mount it on the car port, but that would be a lot farther and part of the car port needs to be replaced because it was smashed. I'm not sure just how to mount the panel though or in which direction to aim it for the best sun reception.
When I was looking for gate openers, there didn't seem to be much of a selection. The brand that had the least sucky reviews was Mighty Mule. So, I'm making a list of things I would need, but I'm also open to suggestions that might help keep costs down or would make it more efficient.
Here is the list of necessary items (that I know of so far):
- Mighty Mule FM200 gate opener $252.50 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FA0BYY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
- GTO Rb741 remote control 3pck $51.07 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030KE84G/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (individual remotes are $19.88)
- Casil CA1290 12v 9ah battery $17.75 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013CX23JM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (I'm open to alternative suggestions on this one)
- Camco 55373 Large Battery Box $7.80 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOX2OKS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (or a box someone recommends if they think there is something better)
- Solar Panel for Mighty Mule Gate opener 20w 12v $69.99
- Some sort of cables to connect the battery to the gate's power? Not sure what to get for this.
- Wires to go from solar panel to battery. Also not sure what to get.
- Mighty Mule Keypad FM137 $38.89 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YP96Y/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 OR Wireless Intercom & Keypad system FM136 $168.35 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QGNXJI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
- Automatic Gate lock FM143 $117.95 (unlocks when remote is clicked to open/close gate) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009SS13Q/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (would love to find a cheaper solution that works the same way)
- Wired push button control FM132 $5.55 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009SNXZM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (range 1,000ft-- would love a wireless version)
- Adjustable 10" gate wheel $54.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AX6WG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 or Shepherd Hardware 9785 4-inch gate wheel $12.67 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1A8H6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (or something better that someone recommends)
- Mighty Mule Gate Opener Replacement Transformer RB570 $15.47 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015RY4OA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 (just in case I need to replace it if something goes awry)
I'm trying to figure out the best solution for dealing with package delivery. Unlike other people in my area, my gate is right at the very beginning of my property instead of being set back, so I can't really put anything out in front of the gate on the outside without it being in the way of the power company & timber company. Currently with the gate open, FedEx and UPS drivers can just drive right in. I would say I could put my phone number up and have them call me to be let in, but most of them can't get cell signal to be able to call from there. I thought about a "honk to be let in" thing, but I hate when people drive up and honk (usually only Jehova's Witnesses do it)... Maybe I could set up some sort of sensor that makes a noise in the house?
I would love to have an intercom so people could talk to us inside, but I'm not sure where the best place to put the internal unit would be.
I still have absolutely no clue what cables/wires to get for the solar panel. I know it will have to be more than 100ft to reach the battery (unless I see if I can put the panel on top of one of the old dog houses out front)-- and it will require digging to put wires underground. So I will need conduit to put it in.
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