The main convenience of automatic swing gates is that you can close or open them using the remote control. Everyone today wants to make their life as comfortable as possible. That is why the owners of private houses or their own garages are increasingly found automation for swing gates. With your own hands, you can mount it pretty quickly, while getting an excellent result.
System Features
It's worth figuring out how this whole system works. Automation of the gate is possible by means of a drive, which is mounted directly on the gate. A gate automation kit is not difficult to mount with your own hands. The installation process is not that easy. Here you need to follow a clear sequenceactions combined with precision and qualification at each stage of work. When installing the drive, there are several features. It is necessary to take into account the sash in relation to the height of the pillars. If the installed automation does not imply the presence of limit switches, then it is required to install leaf stops. If you miss such an important nuance, you can get a completely unexpected result. The electric motor will fail, and the functioning of the entire structure will hardly be called normal.
Package
Many elements contain such a complex as automation for swing gates. It will be possible to mount it with your own hands only if all the components are present. For the correct and high-quality installation of the gate, you need to understand this and have minimal experience in solving such issues. The automation kit contains: 1 control unit, 2 drives, 1 set of photocells, a small beacon and a remote control. The advantages of this type of mechanism include a long service life and exceptional strength. The mechanism is easy to operate, and the gate opens at a speed of up to 15 seconds. Among the shortcomings, one can single out such a moment as the presence of at least one obstacle in the path of the gate, because of which the drive may well fail, and this leads to jamming. There should not be any obstacles in front of the opening. Only in this case, it can be expected that do-it-yourself automation for swing gates will function for a long time without failing. Carrying out preventive measures will help to eliminate failures during workequipment. All parts that require it must be periodically lubricated with special substances. If the automation fails, it is strictly forbidden to make physical efforts if necessary to open the gate, there is only one solution - to call the master.
Homemade drive
As you can already understand, with a great desire, do-it-yourself automation for swing gates is no longer such an unrealistic idea. This is a pretty good way to save your own money. If you have not only practical interest in this case, but you are interested in the realization of the idea itself, then this case is just for you. And it's quite an exciting process.
Required Items
The mechanism of a satellite dish is used as the main element of such a drive. Its set of equipment includes a worm gear that replaces the electric drive. The basis of the satellite television system consists of a rotary action mechanism. This is an engine that can be used to install automation. The worm gear works on a principle similar to that of an electric drive. This option is more profitable in comparison with store drives, since it requires a voltage of 36 volts for its operation, and for store drives it requires a regular network of 220 volts. For assembly, you need to get two working drives from satellite dishes. It is worth choosing models with the longest stem. You will also need a remote control and a transformer, its power should be 36-40 watts. The remote is used to openstructure and its closure. It should work at a distance of about 50 meters. In addition, it would not hurt to stock up on two key fobs sold in stores that sell goods necessary in the field of security.
6 hours will be enough to collect the drive. In order for the gate automation to work efficiently with your own hands, you need to equip it with a current relay. Without it, the motor may overheat and break down. And with its help, you can easily make a drive for the gate with the most minimal cash investment. If you like the finished assembly more, you can save on installation as well.
Installation process
When installing an electric drive for swing gates, it is required to take into account the side of the gate leaves opening: outward or inward. So, if you are interested in how do-it-yourself gate automation is installed, then here you need to list the necessary tools for these purposes. You will need: drill, hammer, pliers, building meter, screwdriver, electrical tape. In automatic gates, unlike conventional ones, there is an electric drive. Therefore, before installing it, you need to decide which option to choose.
Types of electric drives
Electric drives can be linear or lever. To accurately determine the choice, you need to know the distance between the loop and the inside of the post. Distances up to 1.5 cm require the use of a linear actuator. Its cost is noticeably lower than that of the lever. If the measured distance is 1.5-3 cm, then it is appropriate to setlever drive type. It is as reliable as linear.
The gate automation scheme assumes that it is required to install not only the drive, but also a set of equipment. It is important to determine the width of the sash, as well as possible wind vibrations. Many people are afraid to install all this equipment on their own, as they do not have the necessary experience and knowledge. But here it is important to remember the need for attention to detail, then there will be no problems with installation.
How is it done?
It is important to check that the leaf movement is easy when the drive is started. If something interferes with this, then it is necessary to find the cause and eliminate it, since the movement of the electric drive must be level. Otherwise, it is possible that the post may tilt, the angle of movement will shift, and this has a bad effect on the automation of the entire structure. After fixing various problems, you can proceed to the process of installing automation. It is important to follow the instructions as accurately as possible so that the operation of the system is as long as possible.
Regular pattern
Do-it-yourself automation for swing gates is installed on products that open inwards, while it is appropriate to use any electric drive. When using steel poles as a base, it is appropriate to install a linear drive. It is compact and reliable, and its cost is relatively low. You can also use a lever drive, but it is much more expensive. A difficult option in the presence of brick columns and finding the gate right in the middle. In suchcase the linear actuator is not suitable.
Lever-type automation is mounted on a pole, while the gate opens due to levers, while they must be at a distance of no more than 200 mm from the poles.
Gate opens outward
There are two types of devices available for use in this case, however, a garage door opener with a linear mechanism would be the right choice. This is a cheaper and better solution. Automation is mounted in the opening, and occupies no more than 150 mm on both sides. On narrow gates, the system is attached at the top. The actuator is usually mounted directly on the pole. Do-it-yourself automation for swing gates is installed so that the hydraulic drive allows you to open them outward. Next, the fastener bracket is welded to the structure. When opening a gate with a linear drive, there must be 1 cm of free play. After that, you can check the correct movement of the leaves and the movement of the electric drives. The next step is to install the stops for opening and closing, and then attach the motors. At the end, you need to equip the jumpers, connect to the consoles, and also turn on the mechanism. If one leaf is to move in a different direction, then the wires on the motor need to be reversed.
Finishing work
After that, do-it-yourself automation for swing gates must be equipped with limit switches. If you have not provided for the use of such elements, then it is required on the boardset the period of operation of the sash, as well as the force of opening and closing. Do not set the maximum force, as this will shorten the life of the device. It is recommended to set the minimum force so that the gate opens normally outwards.
Next, you need to build in a signal lamp, as well as a special photo device. Gates that open outward will work quite well with such automation.
Problems and errors
Quite often there are cases when people mount everything with their own hands, but do not cope with this task due to lack of experience. This leads to a lot of errors, due to which the automation refuses to work, and the drive completely fails. Everything should be connected in stages, since this is what will correct any problems in case of mistakes. Otherwise, it will be very problematic to establish the cause of the breakdown. Proper and precise installation, together with the high quality of the electric drive, allows the gate to function as long and correctly as possible. Even if you use automation for sliding gates, you will quickly be able to assess how convenient it has become for you to drive in. This is especially noticeable in winter, when you do not want to leave the warm interior of your car to open the cold gate.
Do-it-yourself automatic sliding gates
To protect the entrance area on the territory for various purposes, sliding gates can be used, which operate using special automation. In this case toothere are certain features of the installation. Do-it-yourself automation for sliding gates is installed in stages. First you need to weld a steel cantilever pipe to their structure from below. During the operation of the entire structure, it moves along roller carts installed on a specially organized foundation. Came gate automation has proven itself well. In the closed position, the lower corner of the gate is rolled up by the end roller into the trap. During the opening of the web, this movement helps to prevent lateral vibrations of the device.
Automation for sliding gates must be mounted taking into account certain points:
- the installation of such structures begins with the arrangement of an independent foundation, as well as the foundation located in the opening and to the side of it, in the direction of opening the entire structure;
- gate fastenings and their frame itself must be characterized by a high degree of resistance to winds;
- installation of a special retaining part is required, through which it is possible to increase the width of the leaf structure in the direction in which the gate opens;
- the sliding gate system must be provided with effective protection against burglary, as well as a special type of protection against various adverse factors.
Conclusions
Now you know how do-it-yourself swing gate automation is mounted. If you have a strong desire, you must strictly follow the instructions in order to get the desired result. It is important to note that automation for sectional doors is installed according to a similar principle. Therefore you don't havethere should be no difficulties with the installation process.
