The question is quite complex, but solvable if you know what you should pay attention to when choosing. It will depend on numerous factors, for example, the weight of the gate leaf, the type of accessory gear. The climate and time of year when the electric drive will be operated are of great importance. In winter, the load on it increases and there must be a power reserve.
When thinking about which automation for sliding gates to choose, consider the following parameters:
- Power reserve of the sliding gate motor. It must be impressive, otherwise the drive will not work under unfavorable climatic conditions.
- The material from which the gears in the gearbox are made. It is better to choose metal ones, as they are more reliable.
- Limit switch type. It should be magnetic if you plan to use the gate in winter. The mechanical one will freeze, preventing the gate from opening.
Sash weight when choosing an electric drive
Which automation for sliding gates to choose can be determined by knowing the weight of the sliding gate. If it is 200-500 kg, a lightweight gate drive will be required. Such structures are installed in dachas, private houses and cottages. In this case, the sash can be made of a profile sheet, plastic, or metal mesh. The opening size is from 3 to 5 meters.
If the weight of the gate reaches 1 ton, then automation for weighted sliding gates will be required. In such cases, the opening width can be up to 6 meters. The door is made of profile sheet, metal mesh or wood, metal with artistic forging. For industrial doors, an electric drive with a significant power reserve is always used.
Automation for heavy sliding gates is installed in industrial workshops, large manufacturing enterprises, and warehouses. The demands placed on it are increased. Such an electric drive must withstand the weight of the sash up to 1800 kg. The size of the opening can be 5-8 meters.
Knowing the basic parameters and types of automation, it becomes much easier to make the right choice and not experience difficulties with installation and operation in the future.
Fourth gate drive option (working)
To drive the sliding gates, I decided to use a VAZ windshield wiper motor gearbox, from Niva, they are identical in other models, from 01 to 07 VAZs, they cost about 1000 rubles new, at disassembly you can buy from 300 to 500 rubles.
You need to install a bicycle sprocket on this engine; for this you need standard splines from the windshield wiper trapezoid. I welded them to the sprockets as evenly as possible and cut off the excess.
Next, I made a bracket to mount the motor from the wipers to the gate, or rather to the area next to the gate. I made it from three corners (punched fasteners), left over from the construction of a frame house. I also welded a chain tensioner from an anchor.
Next I screwed on the engine
Installed the sprocket
To the site prepared during the installation of the sliding gate itself, I welded two bolts, heads down, in order to secure the drive
I screwed the gate drive and put washers in there just in case. I already had the chain installed, I just experimented a little with its tension. In the photo below, the chain is attached to the gate with the ability to adjust the chain tension.
The next photo is the left side of the gate, where the chain is attached with a self-tapping screw to a profile pipe, inserted a metal self-tapping screw directly into the link, and screwed it into a bracket made of a profile pipe, wrapping the excess around the bracket
I installed the limit switches even before I screwed on the drive; it’s more pleasant to do this in the warmth than in the cold (see also the article automatics for gates). I found the wires on the windshield wiper motor to which the power needs to be connected empirically, there are only four wires, the black one is ground, I looked for the second one at random (in the block it is located diagonally from the black one).
Now you just need to connect the automation, which I wrote about earlier (link above)
I hid the automation in a plastic box with a lid, seemingly sealed. As a stand for this box, I welded a profile pipe to the bracket (see photo below). At first I wanted to hang it on the fence, next to the gate, but then the gate would block the receiver, as a result of which the control distance would be reduced to 10-15 meters (at best). Now the range of the key fobs inside the yard is about 30-40 meters, outside the gate about 15-20 meters, the corrugated sheet greatly reduces the range of the key fob.
Video of the operation of sliding gates controlled by automation from China.
Video of the gate working from the outside
The gates have been working for about a week, two weeks, three weeks, more than a month, in general they are working normally (and the temperature has dropped below 30 degrees), so far no problems have been identified. I did not install additional locking devices, the gearbox does not allow the gate to be rolled back by hand, of course, if you apply more force, you can move the gate, but then the limit switch will close and the gate will close again.
The automation budget including the gate is about 4,000 rubles.
PS I think that if you use a low-speed motor, for example, like I have in the last (working version), then the idea with cables is not so bad, the cost of the cables is cheap, installation is also simple, so if you don’t have a chain and sprocket, then you can try to implement the option with cables. I will repeat the principle of such a drive: the load through the pulleys constantly pulls the gate to open, and the motor winds the cable to close, but not vice versa, because then the gate can be easily opened from the outside, we install the limit switches in the same way as in my version with a chain.
UPD from 12/05/2016
It snowed over the weekend, and snow got into the profile on which the bearings of the hanging gates roll, as a result of which the gate began to open poorly, the drive could not cope and the gate stopped, so we had to urgently make a protective canopy on the guide profile.
The protective canopy was made from a U-shaped profile for plasterboard 40*100*40 mm, screwed onto metal screws. It took 2 pieces.
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Automation from different manufacturers
When going in search of suitable automation, every person is faced with a large assortment at points of sale. Products from different manufacturers that have been on the market for several years are presented. It is difficult to say which is the best automatic for sliding gates. Each brand has its pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages. This can be seen using the example of the most popular manufacturers: Came, Doorhan, Nice, Faac, An-motors, Hoermann.
The electric drive from the Italian company Came is very popular. It easily copes with its job of opening and closing gates in the summer. In winter, minor difficulties may arise - ice forms on the limit switches and the rack. It can be removed and the automation will function properly.
The Came electric drive has an external gear made of steel, and an internal gear made of fluoroplastic, which is wear-resistant and resistant to high temperatures. With the help of mechanical limit switches, the automation is turned off when the leaf hits the end point.
The electric sliding gate drive Nice fully satisfies the needs of customers who need automation for lightweight gates weighing 500 kg. It will cost less, cope well with the assigned functions, and will last a long time if the load on the electric drive does not exceed permissible limits, otherwise rapid wear of the internal gears made of plastic cannot be avoided. Mechanical limit switches are also provided here.
Faac sliding gate automation is manufactured in Italy and has earned great trust from customers. It is fully adapted for use in harsh winter conditions, as it has a large power reserve and magnetic switches that do not freeze on ice. All parts are made of durable, wear-resistant materials. The inner gear is made of brass, the outer is made of steel. It becomes approximately clear how to choose gate automation so that it meets important requirements.
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NICE
Many users like the Nice drive for sliding gates due to the fact that they are available in two types - lever and linear. All models of the brand are characterized by excellent design, ease of use, and safety. In addition, manufacturers are constantly introducing new technologies, thanks to which their products successfully compete with models of other brands.
Among the economical models, there are many good reviews about the Nice RD400 electric drive. It is designed for gates weighing up to 40 kg and is capable of operating at temperatures from –20 to +50 degrees. The functions of adjustment, speed, pause, acceleration, deceleration at end points can be adjusted, and also detects obstacles. The drive is easily and reliably mounted, which is also noted by many users. It is convenient to set it up thanks to the built-in control unit. Programming is carried out using three buttons, and the end positions of the gate can also be controlled. Has a function for partial opening of the gate. The cost of the model is 13,950 rubles.
A more powerful Nice drive for sliding gates is Nice THOR 1561. It is designed for gates weighing up to 1500 kg, features an electronic clutch and extremely silent operation. Safety of use is ensured by an electronic brake, which can be programmed to eliminate gate inertia. The engine is equipped with forced ventilation to increase the intensity of work. The cost of the model is almost 31,000 rubles.
Here are a few more notable electric drive brands:
- Doorhan is a domestic automation system, made flawlessly and aimed at a long service life. Handles heavy loads well and has excellent reviews.
- Hormann is a German brand, 5 year warranty. Provides quick opening and closing of the sash in any climatic conditions. All parts comply with international quality standards.
- An-motors is an inexpensive but reliable electric drive that is accessible to many. The engine and electronics are manufactured using the latest technologies in Belarus.
Knowing the main manufacturers, the task of how to choose automatic gates becomes easily solvable. If you still have any doubts, you can always contact our company. Our managers will advise you by phone on any questions related to the purchase of automation.
