Question about electric gate openers

[GT2]

Is is possible to have a gate opener activated by a photo eye?
So that it opens at sunrise and closes at sunset?
I'm researching building an outdoor solar hot water heater, and want to make an insulated door that opens when there is sun and closes when there is not.
Thanks, Tim

 

[jlsmith]

Is is possible to have a gate opener activated by a photo eye?
So that it opens at sunrise and closes at sunset?
I'm researching building an outdoor solar hot water heater, and want to make an insulated door that opens when there is sun and closes when there is not.
Thanks, Tim

My brother installs gate operators and ill ask him tonight. Seems i recall him putting something like that on a gate at one time.

 

[DennisArrow]

Tim........OF COURSE there are switches like this......they operate a multitude of devices that are common........Outdoor lighting?...........You just need one that has the capability of being sensitive enough for clouds or full sun???????? Gate/door opening mechanisms are merely motors/drives hooked up through a variety of switches through a board.......

Good luck......Dennis

 

[mefyj]

My GTO gate opener has a multitude of options. Call or search "Gates That Open" they are really good about answering questions.
However my personal opinion is that you should get a commercial grade opener as you will be much happier. Only a few dollars more and long term results are exceptional.

 

[GT2]

My GTO gate opener has a multitude of options. Call or search "Gates That Open" they are really good about answering questions.
However my personal opinion is that you should get a commercial grade opener as you will be much happier. Only a few dollars more and long term results are exceptional.

Thanks for the link, I called them and they couldn't say if it would work or not.
All they could say is that they did not have the items to do it with.

I know there are many types of switches and such out there... I just don't know if its possible to open/close using a photo switch.
From my limited knowledge, a photo switch usually opens and closes a circuit, ie interrupts voltage to a light.
However I would think its not this simple with a gate opener, seems you need something to apply power to open, and then something to reverse the power to close.

Just rambling out loud, feel free to add if you want!
Thanks

 

[JRobyn]

The control boards of most of them (MightyMule, GTO, Liftmaster, Apollo) just have terminals that any combination of normally open or normally closed switch or set of relay contacts can be wired to. The Mighty Mule/GTO User Manuals that show the control board wiring details are available from their website. But these are very low or no voltage circuits, so a photocell switch would likely need to operate a relay and then the relay contacts be wired to the gate opener.

- Jay

 

[Jimbrown]

I have three gate openers. They all work off of a momentary switch. There is no off on thing like a light switch. You close the circuit and it opens you close the same circuit again and it closes. I would think that any solar switch would do the same.

 

[Jimbrown]

I have three gate openers. They all work on momentary contact. There is no switch like a light switch that has an on and off. You close the circuit momentarily and the gate opens. You push the same switch again and it closes. The ones that they sell are very close to a doorbell switch.

 

[Redbug]

Seems to me a simpler solution to your question would be to use a timer to open and close the gate, instead of relying on a photo cell type of arrangement. A photo cell could be blocked by snow, dark clouds at opening time, etc. The timer could be adjusted periodically to match the seasonal sunrise/sunset times. Interesting question you have...

 

[BobRip]

I would think you would want it to only open on sunny days. My solar collectors does not do anything on a cloudy day. You really need a positive device that says sun is shining and it opens. Sun is out and it closes. The momentary contact thing will get out of phase and open when it should be closed and vice versa.