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How many ways are there to control a gate
operator?
CLICKERS
'Clickers' or hand held remotes, are radio
transmitters very similar to a garage door opener
clicker. Available in two sizes, the 'mini' that
attaches to your key chain, and the standard which
will clip to your vehicles' sun visor, activate the
gate with the push (click) of the button.
KEYPADS
The next control to seriously
consider is the 'keypad'. It will allow visitors
without clickers to enter the property with a numeric
code. These units are designed for all weather
conditions, and most have memory for several different
codes so that certain codes may be reserved for
family, and others given to visitors such as UPS
drivers or meter readers. The codes are easily
programmed and may be changed
frequently.
EXIT SENSORS
A visitor leaving the property needs to open the
gate. One way is to have a keypad on the inside, or a
simple push button that will open the gate. More
convenient is the 'exit sensor'. An exit sensor is a
wand, 18" long and 1½" in diameter, and comes with
100' of cable. The sensor is buried alongside the
driveway about 85' from the gate and detects moving
metal. A vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle passing the
sensor will open the gate. It will also sense a lawn
mower and some children's toys and may not be the best
choice for every situation.
PHOTO EYES
We highly recommend the use the use of 'photo eyes'
(aka, electric eyes) or similar devices to prevent the
gate from closing if someone or something is in the
way of the gate. A photo eye shoots a beam of light
across the gate opening. If the light beam is broken,
it will prevent the gate from closing, or it will stop
the gate and reverse its motion, if the gate has begun
its closing cycle.
Together, these components make a complete smart
gate system, but can also be augmented with voice
communication.
INTERCOMS
An intercom allows voice communication and the
ability to open the gate for visitors from inside the
house. An intercom has a gate station and a single
indoor station. Four wires must be run between the two
stations.
TELEPHONE ENTRY SYSTEMS
A telephone entry system is an upgrade from a
simple intercom and includes many advanced features.
When the call button at the gate site is pushed, it
rings all the phones in the house with a distinctive
ring and the visitor can be granted entry with the
push of a telephone button. It also has an entry
keypad and includes call forwarding, code lockout,
time zone memory and other features.
- Should I use a swinging or sliding
gate?
The common
preference is a swing gate because they look better
while opening, are easier to install, and are less
expensive than a sliding gate. They are also generally
safer than a sliding gate.
A sliding (or rolling) gate is necessary
where there is a steep grade uphill in the direction
the gate must swing, or there is limited maneuvering
room inside the property for
vehicles.
- What is a left-handed and a right-handed
gate? How do I know which one I need?
Left and right "handing" refers to placement of the
gate hinges and the hinge post. Whether you choose a
swing or a sliding gate, it is important to know the
"handing" for ordering and installation purposes. Keep
in mind that a swing gate normally should open into
the property. To determine which "handing" you need
for your application, stand outside the gate
area facing the gate, or if there is no gate, face the
direction where the gate will be installed. Now
determine whether the hinges and hinge post should be
on the left-hand side or the right-hand side of the
gate opening. For a sliding gate, do the same thing,
but determine whether the gate should slide left of
the opening or right of the opening.
- What is "push to open" and "pull to
open"?
It is always best to have the gate operator on the
inside of the gate pulling the gate open for an inward
swing. But occasionally, due to either an existing
brick column or an uphill slope, it is better to have
the gate operator on the inside of the gate pushing
the gate open for an outward swing. The "push/ pull"
option is only available on the Patriot operators.
Swinging gate operators come in two basic styles:
Linear and Articulated.
A Linear Actuator is a gear or hydraulic
driven ram (screw or piston) with a rear mount that is
attached to the hinge post, and a front mount that
attaches to the gate. The ram travels in a straight
line to open and close the gate, and has adjustable
limit switches for both directions to stop the gate in
the desired position. Most gear driven linear
actuators are low voltage and have an integral battery
backup. Linear actuators can be set to push or pull to
open.
The hydraulic linear actuators are smoother,
quieter and stronger than the gear driven actuators.
They are 110 V.A.C. Battery backup is not built in,
but may be added to the system.
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Linear
Actuator Diagram
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Articulated Arm Actuators mount on a
concrete pad or a steel mounting post set in
concrete beside the gate. They are the best
choice for heavy gates, high use situations, or
to reach around an existing brick column in a
standalone fashion. They may be fitted with
battery backup, but will not work in a
push to open situation.
|
 Articulated Arm
Diagram |
- I have a home that is isolated. Can I
install an automatic gate without the expense of
running electricity to the gate site?
Yes, solar power is the perfect solution! Low
voltage linear gate operators have 12 volt D.C.
motors, and are a very practical application for solar
power in instances where running power to the gate
site is difficult or expensive. Solar Powered Gates
are not run directly from a solar panel, but by a
automobile battery recharged on a daily basis by a
solar panel. The battery can also power options such
as an exit sensor, photo eye or keypad. Most people
wonder about the reliability of solar gates. They are
as reliable as 110 volt A.C. systems up to the point
that they either have too many options drawing power,
or more cycles per day than the solar panel can
recover. A simple system comprised of operator, radio
controls, and an exit sensor will open a gate 10-15
times every day with a 5 watt solar module. To
increase the number of cycles per day, simply add
solar modules. Please contact us to learn more
about the solar panels.
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What is the difference between steel and
aluminum?
A steel gate is more traditional,
especially when scroll work is incorporated to give it
an "old world" wrought iron look. Steel is strong and
will hold up to the rigors of daily use very well. We
powder coat all of our steel gates to better protect
the metal, and offer a 3-step powder coat for areas where the causes of metal corrosion
are stronger (i.e. close to the ocean). We can also
fabricate our gates from aluminum for locations that
are particularly susceptible to corrosion. Please call
us for a quote if you wish to explore using aluminum
instead of steel.
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Can I mount my automatic gate on an existing
brick column?
A brick (cinder block, stone,
adobe, and/ or stucco included) column should be
thought of as a decorative facade and not as a gate
post. It is easier to install and service a gate if it
is hung on its own steel post in a stand alone
fashion. If the aesthetic appeal you are after is of
the gate hung on a brick column, it is important to
incorporate a steel post into the construction of the
column. If your gate is already installed and is
hinged on a column it is difficult to use a linear
operator because it will be pinched between the gate
and column when the gate is in the open position.
Mounting the gate operator in the push to open mode is
one method that will work to alleviate this problem,
another is to use an articulated arm gate operator.
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Which products and suppliers
do you use?
http://www.byan.com
http://www.usautomatic.com
http://www.power-master.net
http://www.linearcorp.com
http://www.hy-security.com
