Solar Gate

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
Hello there,

I have a gate on my property that I would like to automate. I already have Gate


Here are the specs for the motor for the gate:
(http://gatekeeperltd.com/YG-150_Brochure.pdf)
Power Supply: AC 110V or 220V
Max Power: 735 W
Operating time: 20 to 100 seconds
Electronic Lock: DC 12V 2A (this is a separate device)

So, my question is how can I power this gate via battery with solar recharge? I've done some research and asked a few local reps here in Colorado but either they don't respond to my email or just keep asking me questions about why I don't just go buy a DC powered gate...

I think I need the following:
* Inverter - do I need something that can handle 735watts? Or is this peak?
* Battery - do I just need a 12volt deep cycle battery?
* Controller - something like: http://www.siliconsolar.com/Solar-Charge-Controller-p-16156.html ?
* A shelter/box to hold the equipment above with ventilation,etc..
* Solar panel to charge the battery(s) - 50watt?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

-Eric
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Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Solar Gate

    Some questions:

    How often will the gate be opened, 2x a day, or 30 times a day - that determines how much power it will burn.


    The DC Electric lock, is it a passive bolt: clunk to open, another clunk to lock, or is it like a scrapyard electromagnet, that while powered, clamps the gate shut, till the power is switched off ? BIG difference in daily power use.

    Weather conditions the battery will be living in: will it be in a heated shelter box, outdoors all winter, buried in snow ? Batteries don't like it real cold.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #3
    Re: Solar Gate

    ah, a reply! Thanks!

    First, I'm estimating about 10-15 times a day for the gate but just in case, let's say 25-30.

    The electric lock is a bolt activated one that hooks into a base. Here is the exact picture of it: http://www.gatekeeperltd.com/images/electroniclock.jpg
    So, from what I gather, it's opened once and the gate swings open. Then on shut, it clicks back in...

    For the box the battery(s), inverter,etc. will be living is up to me. I have a guy that is going to do the install and he'll make whatever we need. When it gets cold here in the Winter, maybe I could insulate it really well or something..

    Sorry, I just realized that my first post was cut off at the top. We're in Colorado so the temperature can range from 100 degrees to 0 during a whole year.
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Solar Gate

    i see some problems with doing it with what you propose, but if you're stubborn enough it can be done. the reason why they asked you the questions was to understand your reasoning for adding another step that would cost quite a bit of power as opposed to a purely dc system. the inverter will have to be a costly sinewave inverter capable of at least 735w and you'll probably need a 1000w inverter as i don't know of any 800w sinewave inveters. now this would be on 24/7 so it has a basic draw that will never go away even if you do not go anywhere. this ups your system requirements in pvs and batteries.
    do note that the controller you showed the link for i view as garbage. my reasoning for this is that it could blow out with any pv that experiences an edge of cloud event and even my pvs are rated with an open circuit rating higher than the 21v that controller is limited to. odds are you'll need a controller capable of at least 10amps anyway because you will need more pvs to power your inverter's idle power alone. you also will have to figure on the maximum times the gate would be opened/closed to figure the most power that would be needed in a day and the pvs would have to supply that and thensome as there are charging losses and resistive losses to also deal with in addition to the idling of the inverter. add to that some extra power to account for cloudy days or winter's short days. that lock will also be another constant draw as it is 12v at 2amps so that will need to be figured into it as well. pvs only deliver power during bright suinlight and this varies per location and time of year, but you need to calculate that for the worst time period(winter) with the max you'd expect to go in and out of the gate unless you'd have backup to charge the battery at those times such as a generator or possibly a 120vac quality charger.
    i'm not going to tell you what to buy as only you can determine what you need, but to tell the truth, i'm just as curious why the 120vac gate as others are.
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #5
    Re: Solar Gate

    Great points niel. I don't know that much about this stuff but I'm learning as I go. It seems at this point that just going with Mighty Mule (ie. http://www.cheapsgates.com/Mighty-Mule-500-Single-Swing-Gate-Opener-p/fm500.htm) and getting their solar add-on is the way to go.

    The guy I have is going to do the install for $1200 but that seems awfully high to me because according to the above URL marketing speak, there is no welding,etc..

    I will try to sell the other gate opener on ebay and might not fair too bad. Thanks for your help with this. I appreciate it.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Solar Gate

    Does your gate really need the lock, will the opener moter keep it shut ? If this is remote, and someone "Wants In" the latch will not likely slow them down much. The latch has a huge power expense.
    Likewise, the battery box, just insulated, means it will take 2 days to get cold, instead of 1 day. You need to heat it somehow, next to an outbuilding with power (why mess with solar if you have power?). You can run 120/240 V for long distances, but the 12V has much higher amprege draw, and must use heavier $$ wires.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #7
    Re: Solar Gate

    Well, if the gate motor is strong enough to hold the gate closed, then I would be fine with that. I think I found my solution though. I'm going to go with the Mighty Mule gate. The amount of time/money I spend on trying to figure out what I need for this AC gate, I can buy/install the Mighty Mule myself.

    Thanks for everyone's time with this.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: Solar Gate

    You still need to address the "Frozen Battery" problem, before it is a problem. As batteries get colder, they become less "chemically active", and power drops. This won't matter till year 2 or 3, when the battery is somewhat into it's life, first year, no problem.
    If they freeze, you have a mess, as the case will nearly always split, and thawing sulphuric acid is never a fun thing to clean up, and the gate is still closed.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: Solar Gate
    natter wrote: »
    Well, if the gate motor is strong enough to hold the gate closed, then I would be fine with that. I think I found my solution though. I'm going to go with the Mighty Mule gate. The amount of time/money I spend on trying to figure out what I need for this AC gate, I can buy/install the Mighty Mule myself.

    Thanks for everyone's time with this.

    I've had this model on my property, it works well and has an input for a 10 watt solar panel to do exactly what you want and already contains a battery so in power failures it still works. You also do not need a lock, the actuator is a screw drive that can't be pushed by the actual gate
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #10
    Re: Solar Gate

    Nice. Ok, since I have you guys here, can you help me with my dilemma?

    For the solar, for the 10Watt, Mighty Mule has it for $219 from different vendors.

    Or...I can get a 10W for $118 : http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Electric-Panels/1-to-50-Watt-Solar-Panels/AEE-10W-12V-Module/p4596/

    Granted, I may have to rig up a mount for it but I would save $100. Thoughts?
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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #11
    Re: Solar Gate

    This spring, Home Depot ( which also sells the mule ) had 10 watt solar panels for there solar attic vent fans for ~$90.00 for 10 watts close out ... it was a few months ago, but no one seemed to have a clue about the fan or panels and were just gathering dust ... might be worth a trip to HD to check it out, but its in the isle that has attic vents NOT where the gate openers are
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #12
    Re: Solar Gate

    Thanks Guppy,

    I was on their website and can't find those items. I'll go into the store tomorrow and see what I can find. If not, do you think it's a good idea to get the panel from a different place (http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Electric-Panels/1-to-50-Watt-Solar-Panels/AEE-10W-12V-Module/p4596/) and save almost $100?
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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #13
    Re: Solar Gate

    HD online is near useless ... they might have 1/1000th of the store stock if that online.

    Any 12V panel will work with the mule, check the close-out I suggested first, also HD carrys the mule 10watt panels so you can check out HD price on that as well
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