Remote control gate

[Jeff]

I found a motor for my gate.  Its a 12 volt 6 RPM gear reduction used in moving big tractor mirrors. I've almost got everything collected that I need to try to make this work next time I go North.

Here is what it will be opening and closing.

[Jeff]

THe Cedar tree in the photo is leaning towards the camera and the gate bar pivots on a lag bolt that goes into the tree. There should be plenty of room to hide the hardware behind the trees and the gate should look just like a cedar post crossing it.

[Jeff]

Well, looks like my 12 volt remote switch is defective.    Hopefully they will let me return it for a replacement.

[pigman]

...... a lag bolt that goes into the tree.

An old sawyer putting metal in trees. 



Bob

[Jeff]

Its not a tree, Its a gate post with roots and foliage and its not metal, its an adjustable threaded ferrous hinge point.

[farmerdoug]

That could only come from a old sawyer.

[Furby]

Let's see if he changes his tune in about 5 years and forgets that lag is there!

[Jeff]

I just tested my gate motor for opening a makeshift gate here. It looks like its going to work! I was going to take pictures but I have to wait now. My drag link was way to lite and bent. I'll make a new one out of the leg parts of that old wheelbarrow I tore apart.

[Jeff]

I put a mock up together in the backyard just to make sure this was going to work, and I think it will work fine. I have it all together other then wiring in the little solar 12 volt trickle charger to maintain the battery.

The motor has all kinds of torque. It has a 1/4 inch square drive, so for part of the drag link I used a 1/4" drive socket (METRIC  ) and welded it to the chunk of light steel strap. It slides right on the motor shaft snug, and I just drilled a hole through it for a cotter pin to hold it on. The box is a little square D box.  The motor and the remote switch module are in the box. The battery and the solar charger will be remote from the drive. I plan on taking a ladder down and placing it about 12 feet up in the tree. That will keep someone from walking off with it real easy.  The drive box is lockable and I will lag that from the insdie of the box to secure it, then lock it.  I know, if someone wants it, that wont stop em, but at least they will have to mess it up to take it.  Hopefully, as small as it is, and where I will put it, no one will even know that cedar post is anything other then that.

Ive used a bungee cord as the adjustable link for the crossbar to the motor.

 




I stuck my hand in this shot for scale. The box aint very big.


Here is a movie clip of our backyard preliminary test. The remote works from up to 50 feet away.

[Nailhead]

You know, it doesn't take much to keep some people busy!!

[Paul_H]

Works good eh? 

[asy]

Hey Jeff!

What a COOL gate! Looks like it'll work really well!

Do you guys have BUMP GATES over there?

asy

[Reddog]

Asy, I have bumped a gate, but it never opened like that.

Most times I had to fix something on it. 

Jeff, looking pretty slick.

[Mooseherder]

Do you guys have BUMP GATES over there?
asy

No, But we got this feller named Bill Gates who put Windows Up to keep everyone else out.

[Jeff]

Its all installed, tweaked, and works very well.     I had to mess with several configurations but finally got one that works real good. The video clip link below shows a malfunction during testing.  The gate now goes up much easier due to increased spring load (tighter bungee) .  And comes down slower (shorter bungee)    Since the photo the solar collector has been installed and the whole thing camouflaged with strategically placed bark and branches.

 

[ga.player]

how about a wheel chair motor, i have a friend that's in a w.chair,...  i have gotten an old chair from him and am in the process of making a system to open and close a solid shop door (12' x 12') just a thought, I have another friend who is trying to create a gate opener using a pool pump and bucket (water for weight), and spring loading the gate.

[Jeff]

so far my gate is still working nicely and I have not had anyone try o fiddle with it.  With gun deer season opening in 3 days the fiddlrs will probably be out in force

[SwampDonkey]

Hope everything weathers the storm. 

[Firebass]

Good Job Jeff, 

Looks like you too like to piddle with mechanical things.  So I thought I'd share some of my favorite piddling inspirations.
 
Old Hospital bed's have very powerful reversible motor with acme threaded shafts in them with a up down controller.  Actions often sell them cheap.  The only drawback to these is that there mostly 120 volt.

Old Satellite dish's have a great weather resistant DC Acme thread drive with limit switches and tie rod ends.  Getting harder to find..  these are DC voltage so you can use batteries or remote sites.

Old motorcycle engines have a 4 ,5 or 6 speed transmissions with a wet clutchs-  remove the cylinder barrel and head, tear it apart and take the crank to a machine shop tell them to turn a straight shaft to take the place of the crank with a 1" key on the end where the flywheel was mounted.  You can then put any source of engine or motor to the 1" keyed shaft you like.   Gives you a nice transmisioin with clutch that has a thousand uses.  These little jem are great because you can find old motorcycles everywhere, they're lightwiegt and can handle easily handle 30hp or more.   I have a 250 Yamaha dirt bike engine it weighs around 20 or 30 lbs. set up like this.

Back to your gate:   I like the electric fence (Capacitor) Idea.

Firebass

[pineywoods]

re  piddling inspirations

Add to that list.. rear axle out of riding lawn mowers. Open it up and weld up the spider gears. Makes a real nice reduction gearbox with 3, 4, or 5 speeds plus reverse. I put one in a home built concrete mixer. Only disappointment...reverse gear don't un-mix the concrete