The gate

[wroughtn_harv]

Morning RaT,

I haven't been able to find the Car Sense free exit probe online. But you can call Automatic Gates here in Dallas at 214 637 1776 and talk to Gary or Eric. They're both knowledgeable and easy to talk with about gates.

I did have a problem with one of the units. Place in the country, both members of the couple worked day jobs. I put in a gate with an operator and a free exit probe.

He calls and tells me that his dogs are getting out and waiting for them at the gate when they get home in the evenings. They'd inspected the fence and it was intact so they figured it had to be the gate.

I checked everything out okay but decided I'd replace the probe just on the off chance that it was malfunctioning.

I was idling in front of the gate talking on the phone after completing the work. Their great dane with the big chain collar and umpteen tags walked up and plopped down dead over the probe. Gate opened. Both dogs came out to see what was up.

I made an adjustment on the sensitivity of the probe. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dummy: Work? What is that?

 

[_RaT_]

What are those Danes wearing? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I thought the probe reacted to metal which resulted in changing the inductance on the coil of wire in the probe.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

This particular installation involved the customer wanting to have his four wheeler activate the free exit. So I had it adjusted accordingly.

The Dane had a chain collar with numberous metal tags. When it laid down over the probe and then moved it activated the probe.

The customer was willing to drive his four wheeler over the probe versus beside it if it meant keeping the dogs in.

Here's the finishing touch on the job.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

That was the only carving done with a sandblaster.

It's really quite simple to do. First you freehand out your desired inscription on a sheet of aluminum. Then you cut it out with the plasma torch. That is the template which is clamped to the stone of choice.

Blast it.

Remove aluminum template.

Drill two holes in backside of the stone and epoxy in studs. The studs are welded to the pipe fence.

This job is done.

It seems like it's lasted forever.

The highs for me were many. You see I get high on challeges.

It's a good one. There will be another visit to finish out all the trick stuff on the gate when the new home is complete. Right now I've got the power temporaried and the gates open and close only with transmitters and the keypad. But in a couple of months we'll feed it from the new cabinet with all the computer controls and video feed.

So until then this will be the last picture.

Bet you're glad for that. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[dummy]

<font color="blue">Bet you're glad for that.
</font> Nope. Always happy to watch a pro do what they do best /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif especially when they're teaching me the little tricks along the way. Thanks, Dale

 

[shoppintractors]

Dale,

Well said. You just never know what you going to see when wroughtn harv posts a picture. Always interesting, original, creative, informative, educational, and of course...well received. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif .....and they always come with great "harvism's".

Don

 

[_RaT_]

Harv, I oredered an exit probe from the folks you suggested. If it is the same probe as the one from a local dealer (EMX) then I saved about $100 on the purchase. I ordered a 100' 12 volt model. Talked to Chris, great place.

 

[_RaT_]

The EMX probe works superb Harv, THANKS for the information! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I don't have any pictures because right now I'm running cameraless (hint hint Santa!).

But today the star rock in the overhead was involved in a T/C (traffic collision) and suffered fatal injuries.

One concrete truck out of fifteen that was coming onto the property for a pour decided the private entry would accomodate a loaded redimix truck.

I got a call this morning informing me that my presence was required. We have both uprights of the overhead tilting north when they were biased neither north or south before. Three out of four of the pins supporting the star rock in place broke loose out of the stone. The fourth held but the rod bent over severely.

When I got there my first concern was the rock falling and hurting at a minimum the new concrete driveway. I was able to remove the camera intact and then remove the stone from the overhead.

It will be an interesting repair to say the least.

 

[MF1455v]

Harv, do you know what your clearance is for the star?

I have been concerned about the over head part of my gate still under construction. If I remember correctly from reading on the Texas DPS web sight, a truck must have a permit if over 14 ft high. My over head is 15 ft 4 in with rock on the drive way. So I was thinking that would be good. With the fence going in before the house and shop there will be a lot of trucks in a out. I sure would like to avoid the same call you got.

Thanks
James

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's where the star used to hang.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Check out the lean.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

What really hurts is this was open and it's only about fifty to sixty feet away from the rock gate.

About fifteen of sixteen drivers didn't have a problem with getting their concrete trucks to the pour.

 

[daedong]

Harv,

What a bummer, I don't know what else to say. I would be shattered I guess you are to.

 

[jinman]

Harv, that really hurts to look at. After being there and seeing what a great job you did, it makes me a little nauseous to see the damage. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif What's the prognosis on repair? ...start at the ground and work up? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Vin,

One of the interesting things for me is what happens with me after a job is complete. It goes from being my child to someone's brat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, I can look at a job that I've done and it's like it was done by someone else. I know I did it. But I can walk away from it and that's it.

So the damage is mine to fix. Mostly because I'm the only one who knows all that has to be done for the repair to make it like it was before. It would be interesting to see what competive bids would look like on this one. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jim,

I've given an estimate to the adjuster. And they've agreed to my guesstimate on what it's going to take to make it back like it was.

First the star stone is a total. And new stone has to be found, carved, plumbed, and rehung. Due to new law this month I'm not allowed to hook up the camera so that will be done by another vendor.

I will remove the gate and hinges from the hinge post. I will remove the overhead at the sweeps. I will prepare the posts for pulling. This will involve welding a strap suitable for a thirty five ton truck crane's lifting ability.

Once the old posts are gone. Then I will install new posts, reattach the overhead, rehang gate, install new star stone, and then paint the whole structure two coats of paint.

If everything goes according to plan they will get by with spending something over nine thousand dollars. If it doesn't go according to plan, concrete driveway gets broken by pulling hinge post or a fifty ton crane is required etc. It could easily exceed ten thousand for the repair.

The insurance adjuster's first words to me was "when I saw that gate I said a prayer of thanks that he didn't hit that too."

 

[markct]

sure sounds like alot of work, how much did ya charge for it the first time anyhow, just curious. the thing that surprises me most is this deal with not being able to legaly install the camera, why is that? i never thought that it was a big deal to put up a security camera on private property, whats the reason it has to be done by another outfit?

 

[EddieWalker]

Hi Harvey,

Having personally seen the gate, I'm saddend by its damage. But at least you get another job out of it, so that's always nice.

I'm also curious as to why you can't install the camera????

Eddie

 

[wroughtn_harv]

The gate and entry was in the twenty grand range.

As of January 1 in the state of Texas you must have a license to install and maintain security equipment like telephone entrys, cameras, etc.

I chose not to be grandfathered in the qualiftying and I don't want the license. Nothing political, nothing against rules, but I do like keeping my life as simple as possible. Those aspects of the power gate business have always been more of a pain than they're worth.

There are a ton of bright young men out there who like nothing better than to work on that stuff. My plate is full with doing the work I enjoy. Live and let live.

I look forward to the repair. I think it will be fun and interesting. There's a part of me that says anyone can build an entry like that. But I'm not sure just anyone can repair one. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[txdon]

Harvey, I was just wondering, Is the next star going to be higher, or do you figure they better start making smarter drivers. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif