Tips on Electric Gates - Design, build and install

[al_cam]

If swing gates with underground actuators, make sure they are well drained.
(The W*****s that installed the ones I have to use didn't do this so it is fun in winter when they freeze)
They should have battery backup for when power dies, but if power is off for a while, make sure there is a manual override. My neighbour has to unbolt his every time there are power issues.
Put in a keypad rather than push button so nobody can use gates without the code.
If a distance from your house, install a GSM device so guests can just phone the gate to enter. it can also be used for a remote intercom.
Put in a good sized conduit whenever things go underground so you can add/repair things easily.
We have Came gear and I have to say it is quite good, only problems are with the sensors, but I think that might be due to them being submerged most of the year.

Al.

[oscarose]

Anyone got any tips for electric gates as ...

Don’t get stuck.

HTH.

[Scrag Meister]

Didn't mean to hijack the thread but I've been looking at rollershutter doors and extending our garages out another three feet - was there anything in particular you had to watch out for?

PM'd you to avoid a full on hijack

[Lockhouse]

If you thread a piece of rope through the spring, it stops the broken lumps going into orbit.

Very good tip - thank you.

[hyperD]

...they make more din than a skeleton having a w@nk in a biscuit tin

[BigTime]

Didn't mean to hijack the thread but I've been looking at rollershutter doors and extending our garages out another three feet - was there anything in particular you had to watch out for?

Had one of those to on another place which I highly recommend. No issues when the electric is on. One thing to watch out for was the spring mechanism which had a warning sticker on it but I'm afraid I can't remember what it said so be careful.

[Lockhouse]

We are in the process of getting a new garage built and have gone for a rollershutter door as this means the garage can go to the pavement and internal floorspace is fully useable.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread but I've been looking at rollershutter doors and extending our garages out another three feet - was there anything in particular you had to watch out for?

[BigTime]

Don't bother. Had a new build flat with a swing gate that opened automatically on exit and a fob on entry. Always ******* broken so you had to get out of the car and force them open which made them totally pointless.

[Zoiderman]

I think the slide gates look more industrial, imo. Much prefer the opening ones.

[EternalOptimist]

There are a fair few sets of these near my current client. I dont have a clue about installation, maintenance etc, but the swing ones look prettier and look like they would make a racket if anyone tried to scale them, the slide ones look ugly and they look easy to get over.

my side gate is bars of wrought iron that look a bit flimsy, but if anything, even a cat, goes near, they make more din than a skeleton having a w@nk in a biscuit tin

[Scrag Meister]

Swing opening restricts the useable space, usually are not permitted to swing onto a public thoroughfare, be that pavement, footpath or road. Sliding means you have more useable space on any driveway but need sideways space for the gate to slide into.

We are in the process of getting a new garage built and have gone for a rollershutter door as this means the garage can go to the pavement and internal floorspace is fully useable.

[Doggy Styles]

Convert the bridge over your moat into a drawbridge. That's what I did.

sas

[MarillionFan]

Anyone got any tips for electric gates as I'm going to have some put in later on this year. In respect to sliding versus swing opening, problems you may have had with yours, any "I wish I had known that" scenarios...

I'm planning on making and installing them myself so any pointers to designs and plans would be most helpful too.

TIA

You must make sure that the hidden pit you build in front of the gates for unwelcome visitors is deep enough. I did mine to 50 feet and some people survived. Make sure it's at least 200 feet, smooth sides and at least an extra 50 feet of water. Laser equipped sharks are then not necessary.

hth

MF

[ChrisPackit]

Anyone got any tips for electric gates as I'm going to have some put in later on this year. In respect to sliding versus swing opening, problems you may have had with yours, any "I wish I had known that" scenarios...

I'm planning on making and installing them myself so any pointers to designs and plans would be most helpful too.

TIA