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- Feb 12, 2020
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I have way more projects than 6 and it seems when one thing gets fixed another breaks.
I bought a Might Mule MM360RK solar powered kit for my front gate. It was a 16ft tube gate. The MM version I got can swing up to 550lbs and can have up to 25 codes for opening or something like that. It was on sale at Tractor Supply but is no longer listed there. Closest I can find is the 360 out of stock one on Amazon.
It came with a 5w solar panel. I believe I upgraded to a 10w.
I also got an automatic gate lock that I can use to keep the gate shut if someone tries to push it open. The kit I got recommended using a marine battery, which I got but unfortunately I suspect it may be dead as I never opened the box and it sat for a long time. Life got in the way of my plans. To set it up requires digging a trench. Person who was supposed to do it is not reliable and never showed up to do it (still owes us $1k in yard work).
In some ways it is a good thing that it never got put up because the hurricanes took my gate down. The post that held the gate up broke (gate appears undamaged). The gate post on the other side needs to be fixed up/reinforced, but the broken one needs to be pulled out and replaced.
I can't find the same type of post that was used-- looks like it was from a telephone pole.
I want to replace it with a 6"x6" squared post Pressure Treated #2 rated for burial. They have a 12ft one at Lowes. Removing the old one will suck because it's set in quickrete and we will have to detach the remains of the fence from it. (It's also going to suck getting the fence fixed because of uprooted trees, but getting the gate fixed would keep my cows in and stop unwanted neighbors from driving in.
What I need to do:
- Remove old broken post & Replace with new post (after painting/sealing post)
- Reinforce or replace standing post on other side (it's wobbly)
- Get proper anchors (can't use aluminium) to hold up gate and put gate back on
- Dig trench to run underground landscaping wire to where solar panel will sit as well as running wire to other post for the locking mechanism (must be wary of phoneline that passes through that area- goes right next to post)
- Set up box and battery w/ proper connections to hold charge from solar panel
- Re-use pole (if possible) from old satellite to install 10w solar panel (if re-use is not possible, buy new pole or pressure treated post)
- Install some sort of charge controller between panel and battery if necessary
- Program remotes and garage door openers in vehicles to open gate
- Program code for keypad and install a keypad mounted to the main gate post (will get backlit wireless one, but it can be wired)
- Install post next to driveway with button so delivery people can push to open gate to exit
- Possibly install 12v / solar powered light on top of gate post so people can see that there's a keypad (will probably have to wire to solar panel/battery since the post is always in the shade)
- Install keypad covers to shelter the keypad and button (possibly install light on top of button post too)
Do I need (or would it be a good idea to get) a charge controller between the solar panel and the battery? If so, any idea what kind to get?
List of things I need for this project
- Mighty Mule 360 550lb Gate Opener solar kit (already purchased)
- Mighty Mule Gate Lock (trying to remember which one I got & find the link) I think it was possibly this one (FM143)
- 10W solar panel (already purchased)
- 12V battery w/ 250 CCA (purchased one but it's old and might be bad)
- Box for battery (already purchased)
- 100ft low voltage landscaping wire (already purchased)- this is rated for direct burial (might need more) I could also get 200ft of 16/2.
- Wired LED Lock Button (IF this works with a gate opener-- still waiting for a reply from seller) or might go with a smaller one & use a wireless doorbell box or something
- Outdoor 1-gang box for button or a shallower box since the large button will be under cover
- Wireless MMK100 GDO backlit keypad (can be wired)- it has a cover and is backlit
- Plastic keypad cover for both the button and the keypad (just in case)
- Pressure Treated #2 6" x 6 " x 12' post (I wanted 10' but they only had 8' & 12')- for gate posts; might need 2
- Pressure Treated #2 4"x4" x 8' post- for exit button
- Pressure Treated #2 2"x6" x 8' boards- for underground horizontal support for gate post
- Some sort of paint / sealant for pressure treated boards & posts (since some will have to be cut)
- Fast setting Quickrete to keep posts stable
- 12v lights to sit on top of posts (undecided- am up for suggestions)
- Post for solar panel (if satellite pole can't be re-used)
- Gate sign saying it closes automatically in 30 seconds
- Gate sign saying not to climb or push the gate
Newer satellite image
Any other thoughts/suggestions?
I didn't want something that would make the gate open when it detected a vehicle driving over because it might hit tractors. I'm wondering if I should get some sort of sensor that will stop the gate from opening or closing if if detects an obstacle.
Edit: Saw this video that shows how to use 2x4 to stabilize a gate post. I want to do a double going in opposite directions. I like this one because of Coco.
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