So, the house we are getting *crosses fingers! L O L!* we want to add a gate to it.

It is heavily wooded, and approx 400ft from the house/power so a battery and solar is really the only choice.

Now, heavily wooded.. barely any sun per-day.

I was thinking a battery and 1 panel to test, and possibly add another panel if it doesn't get enough juice.

I am wondering if anyone can suggest any panels and electric gate setups that run on 12v?

I plan to build the gate myself, but would like to buy the electronics, or at least the parts to put it together, and I`m thinking if I can get it to run 12v I won't need an inverter.

Suggestions?
Ideas?

The gate will open/close 2x in the morning and 2x in the evening. We don't expect to come/go anymore than that really. Maybe 2x more total per-day.

Sounds like a place to use a wiper motor from a junk yard

I wouldn’t say that it’s impossible to run wire 400 feet and have power. Run the gate off a 12-volt motor. But run 120 volts to the gate underground (in a good low loss wire) and step it down with a switch mode power supply. Switch mode power supplies are inexpensive (I would bet you have thrown a few away over the last several years, computers use them), and very tolerant of input voltage variances. They will work with much lower or higher voltages then just 120-volts.

A 50 watt solar panel will cost $300.00 or $4.00.00 or more. A good charge controller cost at least $100.00, a battery cost $50.00 or more.

A 50-watt switch mode power supply can be had for free. But you need 400-feet of wire to power it.

400ft isn't impossible... but would cost a LOT $$$.
Through the trees, brush, etc.. lot of $ to dig the ditch then more $ for the wiring, etc

Still may do it based on cost of panel/etc.

The first thing to do is find a gate is to figure out how much voltage & amperage the motor will draw when opening the gate under a load. Then figure out the best / easiest way to deliver about 50% more power than that. A gate will be harder to open in the winter if you get snow. The motor will draw more power to open it. Also if you go solar, use a bigger battery then needed because of the loss of power when it’s cold.

I would have to imagine there are lots of powered gates made so it should not be too hard to find a 12-volt one. Don’t forget a weatherproof housing for the electronics.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_813_813

Looks like a nice kit.
Add a battery and a panel or two and it would probably work fine.

Overkill, our gate wont be that heavy or large but the smaller unit needs more stuff to make it run.

-Todd

Ordered it + extras.
Total came to around $1200... I got 2 solar panels, the 2nd battery, few other items for the gate, a person/car sensor/alert + 2 additional sensors for other spots.

Should be fun to wire it up

Now I just need to build the gate, and the hinges too!

I plan to do a bunch of write-ups soon on the blog too