Electric Gates

JBWexford · 31-07-2017 7:13pm #1

Hi,
Please help!
I'm looking to get (a) gates installed (2) have them automated.

Anything I've looked up is so confusing. They only seem to do the electrical work. I'm guessing I need to contact both separately, an electrician and a gate fabricator?

I've had one quote already - 4,800 for a very modest size steel gate and underground automation system. That seems very expensive to me. The cables are already fitted since I built the house only a few years ago. I went to gateinstallers.ie and anyone else in the Wexford area who you could advise?

Building a house was less stress than this, seriously!!!!
THANKS!

kub · 31-07-2017 11:05pm

Sorry is the â‚¬4,800 including for the gates, the automation and vat?

JBWexford · 31-07-2017 11:56pm

kub wrote: »

Sorry is the €4,800 including for the gates, the automation and vat?

Hi, yes, 4,800 to include VAT (but overall, it's 5,000 to paint the gates too). People have said that 4k max would be reasonable. They seem like very genuine guys. I've no issue with paying but I hate paying above the odds when it's not necessary. It seems a lot considering that the cables are all fitted already from the house to the gate and the guide prices on their website (the company employing them) are a lot lower. 1,000 over budget feels a bit steep.

I've been quoted 2,600 for the automation alone (underground, CAME) and 1,950 + vat for the gate. I've read a few posts saying that Automation should be approx. 2k.

kub · 01-08-2017 1:18pm

Well I am speaking as a pro here and on average now, bearing in mind all of the H&S stuff that are now associated with auto gates I think for that Came quote it is around correct.

With regard to the actual gates, I cannot be precise here.

JBWexford · 01-08-2017 2:33pm

kub wrote: »

Well I am speaking as a pro here and on average now, bearing in mind all of the H&S stuff that are now associated with auto gates I think for that Came quote it is around correct.

With regard to the actual gates, I cannot be precise here.

Thanks for your reply. I've arranged for two more quotes so I'll make a decision based on those and their references. Many thanks for taking the time to write, appreciated a lot.

kub · 01-08-2017 8:33pm

No problem at all, just make sure that each installer is taking the safety side of things seriously.

If I can dig out the H&S requirements of auto gates, I will PM them to you later

Fakediamond · 04-08-2017 10:42pm

I paid €100 per foot for really nice metal gates, including dipping, painting and installing. He brought his own electrician, who charged about €2k roughly, cables were already laid. I had my own gate posts already up as well.

I'll pm you the name of the gate maker, nice bloke and easy to deal with.

alan partridge aha · 04-08-2017 10:55pm

All prices are vat inclusive. North Wexford area.

Underground all electric work Italian make DEA not cheap Chinese rubbish. Gsm dialler and keypad and 2 fobs.
€2200.

14 feet entrance 2' metal gates with nice detail. Galvanised and black powder coated.
€1900 fitted.

Total €4100 just completed this week.

alan partridge aha · 04-08-2017 11:03pm

NB The electrician needs to have the qualifications in
electric gate installation.

kub · 04-08-2017 11:13pm

alan partridge aha wrote:

NB The electrician needs to have the qualifications in electric gate installation.

What qualifications are these?

alan partridge aha · 04-08-2017 11:22pm

kub wrote: »

What qualifications are these?

A PSA licenced contractor. They are usually a qualified electrician as well.

Stoner · 04-08-2017 11:32pm

alan partridge aha wrote:

A PSA licenced contractor. They are usually a qualified electrician as well.

No not usually. Most of the installers i know are not qualified electricians.

They don't need to be

insullation · 04-08-2017 11:33pm

I installed electric gates a couple of years ago and I sort of regret it now. It was a good job at the time but they have given me trouble on a number of occasions and are not cheap to fix. One guy explained that any motor buried in the ground with water running into it will give trouble and I suppose that makes sense. But my main issue is that I feel neighbours are less likely to call in randomly since I installed them as they see them as keep out sign and I miss neighbours calling for chat. I could leave them open but after spending what I did on them it would be a waste. Your quotes seem reasonable...try a get a couple of years guarantee from installer.

alan partridge aha · 04-08-2017 11:45pm

Stoner wrote: »

No not usually. Most of the installers i know are not qualified electricians.

They don't need to be

They don't have to be, but if they are connecting back to the fuse box, then they have to be a qualified electrician.

listermint · 04-08-2017 11:47pm

insullation wrote: »

I installed electric gates a couple of years ago and I sort of regret it now. It was a good job at the time but they have given me trouble on a number of occasions and are not cheap to fix. One guy explained that any motor buried in the ground with water running into it will give trouble and I suppose that makes sense. But my main issue is that I feel neighbours are less likely to call in randomly since I installed them as they see them as keep out sign and I miss neighbours calling for chat. I could leave them open but after spending what I did on them it would be a waste. Your quotes seem reasonable...try a get a couple of years guarantee from installer.

Surely you should be used when your out or on holidays why lock them if your in and you want people to pop around.

Realistically they only offer deterrent they won't solve any determined criminal

shootermcgee · 04-08-2017 11:53pm

I seen a homemade system where he used parts of a lorry like the hydraulic pump and rams of a taillift .he brought power out to the gates it uses 2 24volt battery and a large battery charger to keep them charged .a simple keyswitch to open and close the gates it was a lot cheaper than a purpose built kit .it works well outside his house as he hid all of the components in a bush

insullation · 04-08-2017 11:56pm

I'm just making the point to the OP to consider if electric gates are necessary in his situation. It's a lot of money and will cost him going forward in my experience. A lot of people have electric gates that don't really need them...including myself. If they break again I will not fix them. I'll Just convert them to regular gates

insullation · 04-08-2017 11:57pm

shootermcgee wrote: »

I seen a homemade system where he used parts of a lorry like the hydraulic pump and rams of a taillift .he brought power out to the gates it uses 2 24volt battery and a large battery charger to keep them charged .a simple keyswitch to open and close the gates it was a lot cheaper than a purpose built kit .it works well outside his house as he hid all of the components in a bush

Wouldn't fancy a kid getting caught in that....and keeps an battery charger in a bush...what could possibly go wrong...

alan partridge aha · 05-08-2017 12:00am

insullation wrote: »

Wouldn't fancy a kid getting caught in that....

+1 Electric gates can be a killer if not installed correctly.

shootermcgee · 05-08-2017 12:13pm

insullation wrote:

Wouldn't fancy a kid getting caught in that....and keeps an battery charger in a bush...what could possibly go wrong...

It's all enclosed in a waterproof steel box and it's quite safe for children because it needs a key to open and close

kub · 05-08-2017 1:45pm

alan partridge aha wrote:

Underground all electric work Italian make DEA not cheap Chinese rubbish. Gsm dialler and keypad and 2 fobs. â‚¬2200.

In all my years I have yet to come across a Chinese made automatic gate system.

The Italians have it wrapped up.

kub · 05-08-2017 2:24pm

insullation wrote:

I'm just making the point to the OP to consider if electric gates are necessary in his situation. It's a lot of money and will cost him going forward in my experience. A lot of people have electric gates that don't really need them...including myself. If they break again I will not fix them. I'll Just convert them to regular gates

I agree with you, they have a snob element attached to them.
I have installed probably hundreds of auto gates over the years and only 1 that was actually practically needed in a house was one which was close to a busy road, there were young kids in the household and one of the parents was in a wheelchair.

When I hear the word security in the same sentence as auto gates it makes me smile, auto gates are for convenience.

alan partridge aha · 05-08-2017 2:33pm

kub wrote: »

In all my years I have yet to come across a Chinese made automatic gate system.

The Italians have it wrapped up.

Well they are out there, talking to the guy who installed my system. He had to try and help someone who has them installed. He has installed thousands so I'm sure he has came across them.

kub · 05-08-2017 4:17pm

alan partridge aha wrote:

Well they are out there, talking to the guy who installed my system. He had to try and help someone who has them installed. He has installed thousands so I'm sure he has came across them.

Sorry I am not at all doubting that they are out there but I am sure any reputable company would stick with what they know best and that the equipment cost is secondary in any calculations. No offence to our Chinese friends of course

alan partridge aha · 05-08-2017 4:31pm

kub wrote: »

Sorry I am not at all doubting that they are out there but I am sure any reputable company would stick with what they know best and that the equipment cost is secondary in any calculations. No offence to our Chinese friends of course

Exactly, and it was installed by an non psa contractor. Basically a chancer who's price was a lot cheaper than the proper installers. The customer is now paying the price.

kub · 05-08-2017 5:59pm

alan partridge aha wrote:

Exactly, and it was installed by an non psa contractor. Basically a chancer who's price was a lot cheaper than the proper installers. The customer is now paying the price.

Unfortunately you pay for what you get

alan partridge aha · 05-08-2017 7:10pm

kub wrote: »

Unfortunately you pay for what you get

+100%

Tweaky · 13-09-2017 8:56pm

@ JB Wexford
How did you get on with the additional quotes. I got a quote here in Cork for € 2600 for the CAME underground system as well

@kub - have your customers been able to get relief under the HRI - Home Renovation Incentive scheme for the installation work you did for automatic gates.

kub · 13-09-2017 9:18pm

Tweaky wrote: »

@ JB Wexford
How did you get on with the additional quotes. I got a quote here in Cork for € 2600 for the CAME underground system as well

@kub - have your customers been able to get relief under the HRI - Home Renovation Incentive scheme for the installation work you did for automatic gates.

Yes they have indeed, just added the invoice i gave them with other works carried out in their homes.

elperello · 13-09-2017 9:27pm

listermint wrote: »

Surely you should be used when your out or on holidays why lock them if your in and you want people to pop around.

Realistically they only offer deterrent they won't solve any determined criminal

A Garda told me that the type of people that you put up electric gates to deter are wary of them even when they are open. Apparently they are afraid of being locked in if someone presses a button.

pango · 16-01-2020 5:36pm

I HAD AUTOMATED GATES BUILT AND FITTED BY AN ''PSA''REGISTERED CONTRACTOR SOME YEARS AGO AND OVER THE PAST 16 MONTHS HAVE COST ME 1400 EURO IN REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. I JUST CANNOT DEPEND ON THEM AND AS I LIVE ALONE, AM DEAF AND 84 YEARS OLD I FEEL VERY STRESSED AND VULNERABLE.
AS THE CONTRACTOR HAS ALL THE CODES AND ELECTRIC DATA ETC AND BEEN THE ONLY ONE DEALING WITH THE GATES CAN I NOW CHANGE TO ANOTHER CONTRACTOR.
I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN HIM ANY MORE

have2flushtwice · 16-01-2020 10:38pm

Hi I think you need to call the contractor out again and have someone with you to ask the questions. t's your gate so he has to give you the code.

thadg · 16-01-2020 10:48pm

JBWexford wrote: »

Hi, yes, 4,800 to include VAT (but overall, it's 5,000 to paint the gates too). People have said that 4k max would be reasonable. They seem like very genuine guys. I've no issue with paying but I hate paying above the odds when it's not necessary. It seems a lot considering that the cables are all fitted already from the house to the gate and the guide prices on their website (the company employing them) are a lot lower. 1,000 over budget feels a bit steep.

I've been quoted 2,600 for the automation alone (underground, CAME) and 1,950 + vat for the gate. I've read a few posts saying that Automation should be approx. 2k.

get a price for FAAC or DITEC electric gate system. Very good systems. Call National Automation for a number of an installer in your area. Most commercial premises use these systems. You should get your gates made, powder coated, installed and automated for under 4500 inc vat

pango · 17-01-2020 11:24am

have2flushtwice wrote: »

Hi I think you need to call the contractor out again and have someone with you to ask the questions. t's your gate so he has to give you the code.

Thank you. HE WONT CO-OPERATE. ELDERLY ARE ''CASH COWS''. I HAVE TO GET ADVICE FROM 'PSA''

Fakediamond · 17-01-2020 4:34pm

When your gates were installed, you should have been given the manual with operational instructions, troubleshooting guide to minor issues etc, you paid for it, it’s yours. I have been able to sort out loads of minor issues by myself, and I am useless with tech or electrical stuff.

You have a few options:

Make a complaint to the PSA

Tell him you will go to Gardai or Joe Duffy if he doesn’t hand it over

Get a friend/family member/priest to make the approach on your behalf. Most people don’t like to be known in their community as unhelpful or of taking advantage of an elderly person.

elperello · 17-01-2020 5:12pm

Sorry to hear about your problem.

You could call out another contractor and get him to quote for the necessary repairs or replacement.

The chances are that an experienced gate fitter won't require any data or input from the old contractor.

pango · 17-01-2020 9:14pm

Thanks to all who answered.
I hope the PSA. can recommend someone dependable

kub · 18-01-2020 11:00am

pango wrote: »

I HAD AUTOMATED GATES BUILT AND FITTED BY AN ''PSA''REGISTERED CONTRACTOR SOME YEARS AGO AND OVER THE PAST 16 MONTHS HAVE COST ME 1400 EURO IN REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. I JUST CANNOT DEPEND ON THEM AND AS I LIVE ALONE, AM DEAF AND 84 YEARS OLD I FEEL VERY STRESSED AND VULNERABLE.
AS THE CONTRACTOR HAS ALL THE CODES AND ELECTRIC DATA ETC AND BEEN THE ONLY ONE DEALING WITH THE GATES CAN I NOW CHANGE TO ANOTHER CONTRACTOR.
I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN HIM ANY MORE

When you say some years ago, can I ask you please how many exactly?

Just a properly specified and installed gate automation system should not cost that sort of money in the short term to maintain.

Currently the only involvement that the PSA have with regard gate automation is on the administrative side of it.
There is currently no standard in place for gate automation with regard to know how and other such technical experience etc.
Perhaps your original installer had a PSA licence for Intruder Alarms or CCTV but this has nothing at all to do with gate automation.

My best advice to you would be to get a reputable company in to have a look at the existing installation because if these gates have only been automated in recent years, that amount of money spent on repairs seems odd to me.

pango · 18-01-2020 12:49pm

Thanks kub, maybe you can explain to me why on his invoices he has an SSAIB certification stamp and also a PSA stamp and registration number. These have only started to appear on his invoices since last year 2019. Surely the LICENSE by the PSA must stand for something and a contractor having them should at least give some confidence to the customer.

elperello · 18-01-2020 12:59pm

He can't install or work on gates without the PSA registration.

https://www.psa.gov.ie/en/PSA/PSA%2060%20Access%20Gates.pdf/Files/PSA%2060%20Access%20Gates.pdf

He definitely won't want any bad reports going in to them but I doubt it is worth your while.
At the end of the day you just want your gates working and an end to your business relationship with him.
As Kub says just get someone to look at your gates and give you advice/quote.

kub · 18-01-2020 9:07pm

pango wrote: »

Thanks kub, maybe you can explain to me why on his invoices he has an SSAIB certification stamp and also a PSA stamp and registration number. These have only started to appear on his invoices since last year 2019. Surely the LICENSE by the PSA must stand for something and a contractor having them should at least give some confidence to the customer.

I am sorry but I can only guess and make assumptions as to why he has various things on his invoices because I have zero idea who it is we are referring to.

Does he also do Security systems such as Intruder Alarms and CCTV etc ?
Perhaps he fits the Intruder and CCTV systems to meet a certain standard ?

Believe me please when I say this, i am a licensed PSA contractor, I get audited every year to ensure that my certification is constantly valid and to the necessary standards.
My auditors only check Intruder systems and CCTV systems which we have fitted.
I have yet to be audited for any work in association with gate automation.
Neither has any other company that I have heard of.

Currently the only standard that has anything to do with gate automation is purely on the paperwork end of it.

pango · 19-01-2020 1:33pm

Thanks again all you helpful people but you see my PROBLEM is a H & S issue with the gates. There is no sensitive obstacle detection and the gate leaves won't stop if something is passing through . Gates will not stay in the open position.
I don't want to say who the Contractor is ,but I will let the forum know if and when my gates are safe and sorted. mile buiochas.

Stoner · 19-01-2020 3:28pm

Again, just as a reminder.
Please don't mention the contractor at all here
Thank you

kub · 20-01-2020 9:22am

pango wrote: »

Thanks again all you helpful people but you see my PROBLEM is a H & S issue with the gates. There is no sensitive obstacle detection and the gate leaves won't stop if something is passing through . Gates will not stay in the open position.
I don't want to say who the Contractor is ,but I will let the forum know if and when my gates are safe and sorted. mile buiochas.

Well it depends on when your gates were originally automated, you could bring the H&S issues to the attention of the Health and Safety Authority because they did issue a publication with regard to gate automation approx 2 years ago, so from there forward , I am sure they would be interested.
However if before that, I feel they may not be but no harm in bringing it to their attention.

RonTon · 23-01-2020 3:33pm

Question on automation of electric gates:
Is it possible to have gates connected to a Wi-Fi setup easily? I have the option to put a SIM card in so you can ring but was looking to not do that
Any advice appreciated

kub · 23-01-2020 11:14pm

RonTon wrote: »

Question on automation of electric gates:
Is it possible to have gates connected to a Wi-Fi setup easily? I have the option to put a SIM card in so you can ring but was looking to not do that
Any advice appreciated

Yes, that can be done.

Is this a whole new system or an existing one?

Just to give you an idea of what is out there, if it is new :

https://www.cameconnect.net/came/pages/index_en.html

Stoner · 24-01-2020 10:44am

Sonoff units, the low voltage type, can be added to give voice control over wifi, Google home, Alexa etc

RonTon · 24-01-2020 11:00am

Cheers guys , it’s an existing automated gate,what I’d like to be able to do is control them with Alexa or widget on phone ,something like that ,was looking at trying to set up something like a broadlink hub but I don’t know if that would work ,I do have Wi-Fi that reaches the gate and a shed close .i also have security camera pointed at gate so I can check before opening.
Any idea would the broadlink work ?

Broadlink RM Pro+ WiFi Smart Home Hub, IR RF All in One Automation Learning Universal Remote Control Compatible for Apple Android Smartphones, Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CNP9MGS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_8bSkEbZQ4W6M1

The fob I use is a Ditec
Remote DITEC GOL4 C https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0177QV7F6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_fzSkEb0MGN7S7

kub · 24-01-2020 10:47pm

RonTon wrote: »

Cheers guys , it’s an existing automated gate,what I’d like to be able to do is control them with Alexa or widget on phone ,something like that ,was looking at trying to set up something like a broadlink hub but I don’t know if that would work ,I do have Wi-Fi that reaches the gate and a shed close .i also have security camera pointed at gate so I can check before opening.
Any idea would the broadlink work ?

Broadlink RM Pro+ WiFi Smart Home Hub, IR RF All in One Automation Learning Universal Remote Control Compatible for Apple Android Smartphones, Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CNP9MGS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_8bSkEbZQ4W6M1

The fob I use is a Ditec
Remote DITEC GOL4 C https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0177QV7F6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_fzSkEb0MGN7S7

Ok, Stoner might be able to assist you with the home automation stuff.

But regardless of what you get to hook up with your wife, it will need to have a dry normally open contact which will need to be actually wired into your gate controller as opposed to trying to get the unit to communicate with the remotes or remote receiver, the frequency on those is miles away from wifi frequencies.

RonTon · 28-01-2020 11:19am

I ordered a sonoff rf hub ,gonna try that ,under €20 delivered so worth a punt ,hopefully it will read and learn the frequency , as far as I can tell mine isn’t a rolling code so it might work .
If that doesn’t work I’ll try the broad link hub

28-01-2020 12:04pm

Let us know how you get on.
I want to do similar with my faac gate.
I've been planing on modding my spare gate remote so a sonoff can pulse it.

Electric Gates

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