Preparation for Automated Gates

Technique wrote: »

I'm getting gates fitted soon, and I hope to get them automated next year. I'd like to put in an underground box in preparation for this for the electric motors to save having to dig up my driveway again.

My question is, is there a generic box that will fit any type of motor, regardless of the supplier/manufacturer? I'd like to price around next year and see what's available, and not rush into something now which will tie my hands.

Thanks.

No sorry there is no generic foundation box for underground motors.


With automatic gates now there is very serious safety standards that simply have to be complied with, therefore i would strongly recommend that you contact some local installers and get a few written quotes from them.
Any reputable installer will advise the correct make and model of motors dependant on the design and weight of your gates and indeed should not have an issue in supplying you with foundation boxes now, which they should advise your builder on the correct way of fitting them.

Technique wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, very helpful.

Any advice on specific brands to go for, or indeed any to avoid?

Again the design and weight of your gate will have a huge bearing on manufacturers but here are a few excellent manufacturers:

Faac, Came, Casit .

Ensure that whatever you go for that they come from an Italian manufacturer, traditionally these are one things that they have excelled at manufacturing.
I have heard of some Chinese stuff, personally I would not go near them.

tech wrote: »

does anyone know where I can get CAME PhotoCell colums / Post to hold Photocells for inside my gates??

CAME have an office in Dublin give them a ring.

tech wrote: »

Has anyone fitted a battery backup to your gates, for when the power goes?

It’s not really necessary as there is a manual override for situations where the power goes. We have had two power cuts in two years that called for a manual opening. Not worth the extra expense of a UPS backup for me?

tech wrote: »

True but would be nice, to be able to get in or out on a wet stormy night!

We made a decision some time ago to change over to 24 volt motors on all new gate installations so our customers have battery back up from day 1.


Manual release is still present, in my own long experience manual release is a pain especially when it seize's up, is low to the ground and has not been operated in ages.

tech wrote: »

HI Kub

thanks, how ill I tell if there are 24v or 12V? is it a big job to add in the battery ? I have a PC ups could this be used?

220 volt or 24 volt, I have yet to come across a 12 volt Gate system.


What is the make and model of the equipment you have ?

tech wrote: »

Came frog.

Good make, they are available as 230 volt and 24 volt.
Are you lucky enough to have the latter ?

i reckon im on 230v?

Thanks was thinking same, where can i connect UPS just outside fuse board ,before the run of cable out to gates.

kub wrote: »

Yes it is indeed, your only option really for back up on that is a UPS, a decent one at that.


Also, every 3 months test and oil your manual overides, beleve me, that night in the piddling rain when you are down on your hands and knees, you will be glad.