Front Vehicle Gate Project

January 2004

Have you ever priced an automatic gate controller? Me too, that's why I decided to build my own. Even the cheapest Home-Depot motorized gate controller, with no bells and whistles, will set you back 500 smackeroos. If you need a remote control, or anything else, hold onto your wallet.

I knew there must be a better way. Besides, I often see those prefab ranch gate controllers out of commission, broken and useless. So instead I bought a 1/2 hp Genie screw-drive garage door opener for about $130 dollars. I wasn't sure how I'd make it into a gate controller quite yet, but I knew the Genie came with all kinds of remote controls, buttons, and other stuff to make the gate better than most.

A little internet research brought my attention to a guy that did something very similar. Using his ideas, I crafted my own. There are just a few pieces needed, a fixed post, a gate with the motor (garage opener) affixed to it, and a connecting rod between the post and the gate. In this way, when the motor tries to pull the gate, the fixed post causes the gate to open, and vice-versa.

Lastly, I needed to weatherize the unit, so I built and painted a simple plywood box. It is a pleasure to simply push the "garage door opener" remote control button in my car when leaving or entering the property.

	Gate Motor	Affixed to Gate	Rail Connector
Inside View	Connector and Post	Weatherized Box	Inside View
Outside View	It Works!