Redneck gate opener

[@derrickmurray241]

I was just telling my wife, why can't we rig up a garage door opener. Then found this. That's awesome. Thanks.

[@jameskniskern2261]

Just one note:the plastic on the box cover will get brittle after a year or two. If you can find a metal box it will last longer. Good work!

[@themagiccoasterlover]

This thing won't last that long. So no worries about UV destroying the plastic.

[@WillieStubbs]

I used a Coleman cooler to house mine in. It lasted for years. I mounted my motor to a railroad tie so the weight wouldn't cause the post to drift from level.

[@brenttalk9788]

@@themagiccoasterlover why won’t this idea last ?

[@KnhoJ123]

I work for a gate company. Had to share this with all the field techs. They need some fresh ideas once in a while.

[@MrTimdtoolman1]

I love the thinking outside of the box approach. The Genie door openers I have seen with a battery backup are always about 1/2 speed when not connected to a 120v AC power source.

[@dolphincliffs8864]

Same with Liftmaster. 1/2 speed and no lights.

[@noahfigueroa3534]

I love your video. I love it when people feel compelled to share their ideas...even the crazy ones. I would have never thought about doing this. Thank you!

[@jimbush8325]

Ha, if you know of or have an old satellite dish [the big ones ] They have a linear actuator that you can use to do the same thing. Most of them work on DC volts in the 24vdc range and is completely waterproof. Also if you see an old gate opener that's broken. 99% of the time it is the controller and not the actuator [which is still good and it works on 12vdc]. You can use almost any controller to open and close any actuator if the voltage is AC or DC. So when that garage door opener dies in 6 months, you have options. FYI, An old Boat lift controllers work perfectly and the ones with auto stop has a limiter switch which you can easily adjust to any project you need. Some of those even have battery backup.

[@aregee8533]

I put a $15 alexa/google compatible 2 channel relay on mine so I can get the gate started before I reach it and open it for deliveries. The 2nd channel was for a 12v magnetic lock. Works great!

[@brenttalk9788]

You’re using a garage door opener for opening a gate ?

[@aregee8533]

yes

[@scotttaxdal5297]

Beauty in simplicity on a limited budget.. Well done.

[@Rodgarc32]

As a fabricator, i always thought if a garage door opener would work for this type of application. Glad i found this video.

[@joelonderee2872]

Just one word.... "Excellent"!

[@MrJohnnyboyrebel]

I had a commercial gate opener that survived being under water during Hurricane Harvey (it was a Linear opener.) some of the sensor modules for the loops didn’t survive, but the main controller board and power supply did fine. It appears that the controller board had conformal coating on it to make it waterproof. It also prevents condensation from causing electrical problems. I’d recommend conformally coating the circuit board(s) and covering the opener with a metal box. Other than that, you had a terrific idea!

[@Alec9821]

This is great, I love it might use it myself. I don’t see a reason you couldn’t mount the actual opener on the fence and just have the arm go to the gate. Reduces a bit of weight and also allows you to build a case around the motor and electronics easier.

[@MichaelBurke-f2p]

Did you not notice his fence is just an electrical fence he had to mount it to the gate.

[@Alec9821]

@@MichaelBurke-f2p yes, I was talking about this idea in general not his specific case

[@jmaverick]

The opener has to swing in alignment with the chain rail mounted along the fence because the opener itself has a gear to drive the chain. It all has to stay in alignment.

[@MichaelBurke-f2p]

@@Alec9821 Oh my bad you didn't say in general thought you were saying he should have put his set-up on the fence.

[@nickbailey7822]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing how it works, especially in snow. Might have to build one myself.

[@holtwebb]

Dude! You're awesome. So fun to watch. Great attitude and sense of humor.

[@chefboyrdanbh]

Thats awesome! I would change out the particle board wiith sheet metal but looks great.

[@derrickboatman1560]

It was satisfying getting to see someone that understands the importance of doing research and figuring something out for themselves. If you would have bought one for $289 and just did an installation video that would have been boring.

[@NathanT87]

You've been popping up in my Facebook feed for over a year. Happy to have found your KZbin channel!

[@Richarddragon22]

my buddy used the old rail to a garage door opener and a cheap harbor freight winch to open his cattle gate on the farm.

[@seriously195]

Good stuff!!! Just a suggestion, instead of using any type of wood, you could get some composite deck boards for mounting. That way they are weather & UV safe and thicker for good mounting purchase.

[@downsouth333]

Bro composites warp and do everything wood does

[@OneWildTurkey]

@@downsouth333 With composite boards bolted between the bars on the gate, they won't warp. I think the comment was about the wood disintegrating, especially the OSB. The Flex seal helps, but it doesn't take very long before it gives up.

[@rocktech7144]

The gutter is good. But blowing snow and ice will get on the chain. Keep that puller mech lubed with chain lube or spray lithium grease to prevent corrosion on the moving parts. Apply once befote winter and once after.

[@chadmutchler5062]

Enclosed screw type, not chain. But yes definitely keep it lubed.

[@TheDilloWolf]

That's so clever! I originally pictured a sliding gate but what you built is a lot better. Thanks for sharing!

[@Sp1der44]

Pretty clever solution actually. Great video!

[@asconajuenger]

Amazing Idea! Greatings from Germany!

[@benlamborn5792]

Personally I wouldn't even install the Lazer I bet there's a way you can just use the power from one to trick get into thinking it's receiving the signal form in the other 2:43

[@KRT045]

Yeah you can just jump it on the unit itself using a jumper wire in the terminals🤷‍♂️

[@MrFredsDIY]

Great DIY and execution!

[@JoeKyser]

I like the way you guys think

[@benjaminmaikai5286]

I like this. Awesome. Ever thought of mounting a container and then putting the motor in the container mount to the wood and then put the cover on. that way if you need to do maintenance just take the cover off.

[@CSmith-oz4wp]

Great idea. I’m sure you’ll have some adjusting and updates to make as you use it but it’s affordable and it works. 😊

[@TeaBagginsMcGee]

First that is a awesome idea!!!! You might want to look into the operating temp of the battery. Would be a great way to make a sliding gate open too.

[@seewaage]

Awesome setup!

[@mattbroughton1460]

Hey thats cool, its an awsome way to use something for a different purpose.

[@markgentry6688]

That’s cool ❤. Thinking outside the box ❤

[@stratfink]

Garage door openers are common in PR for gate operation, usually on sliding gates. The safeties built into residential door motors would be a good feature to prevent the injuries that can arise with power gates.(i did this on a grand scale for decades all over the place working for two of the largest manufacturers of automatic gate operators.)

[@whosonfirst1309]

Great job, best of luck with it.

[@1mrhamel]

I'm pretty sure the opener will always be slow on the battery vs. when its plugged in.

[@stevebabiak6997]

Suggestions: Use a piece of pipe to connect the two sensors that have to not get their beam broken. Should hold up better than simply tape; the mounting screws will be what holds that assembly together in place. To better weatherproof it, attach the plastic container’s lid to the wood, and snap the container and lid together; that will seal the top and sides better. Still will have to secure it with something additional as you have already done. Garage openers normally rely on the springs to do the heavy lifting, with gravity helping to lower things. So the opener normally does not have to apply big forces, and as such they can’t be / aren’t expected to do so. I am not sure if the opener’s plastic gears will hold up well in your gate application; on my garage doors, I had to replace gears inside the openers after about fifteen years, so they do wear out even operating in the expected manner.

[@rupe53]

the force needed to move a swinging gate is pretty low, so gear wear is probably the least of his worries.

[@woodchippers_WestWingDimeBag]

hot wire the sensors at 1 and 2

[@jimbush8325]

you just wire the sensors together to bypass the safety switch

[@scubasmitty5135]

I would expect a rolling gate would be a better and compact idea,,, in any case,, your video got ME thinking !!!

[@farmboycharlie6543]

Rolling gates mostly use a roller chain. But sure as a drive mechanism a garage door opener is a cheap option

[@RealtorThomaspreciado]

Nice job dude!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Fun project, tHanks for the video!

[@KeithOlson]

Nifty idea! Some thoughts: 1. You could use aircraft cable running through conduit and around pulleys to have the other gate synced to the powered one. 2. Whether you are powering one gate or two, garage door openers aren't rated for moving that much mass. To keep it from wearing out prematurely, you'll need to add counterweights to reduce the force it will need to apply. 3. If you put the rail on a spring so that the gate hitting something will cause the rail to move and mount one of the lasers on the rail and one on the frame, then the sensors can still work as they are supposed to and stop the gate from trying to close when it can't. Cheers!

[@rupe53]

those openers have force sensing (usually adjustable) so if they hit an obstruction they reverse. BTW, you can move a swinging gate with 2 fingers. There's really not much power needed in either direction. I'd be more concerned with weather getting to them over time.

[@KeithOlson]

@@rupe53 1. "those openers have force sensing (usually adjustable) so if they hit an obstruction they reverse. " Good to know. 2. "BTW, you can move a swinging gate with 2 fingers. There's really not much power needed in either direction. " From how much the temporary pole was bending, the amount of force required wasn't insignificant. I'd still use a counterweight. 3. "I'd be more concerned with weather getting to them over time." Same. It needs to be in a properly sealed enclosure. That can be homemade, but not half-assed.

[@rupe53]

@@KeithOlson the only problem with a counterweight is we are not working against gravity so what do you do for the other direction? I mean, it's the same weight / resistance in both directions. (other than wind) BTW, that was a fiberglass pole at the first demonstration. (driveway marker?) They are made to bend.

[@KeithOlson]

@@rupe53 Hmmm... Excellent point. I'd missed that fact. I now agree that a counterweight almost certainly wouldn't be useful here.

[@brenttalk9788]

Good point ! Especially if there’s wind 💨

[@Subgunman]

Great idea! Do you have a link to the plans?

[@kevinman5019]

That was grade A Tinkering right there! Great job.

[@JDA77]

I made electric gate opener out of a craftsman garage door opener. It’s slides my gate open over 14 foot because I use cables underground it’s a double 7 foot sliding gate I would like to send you a picture of it. I’m pretty proud of it it’s lasted 20 years so far and two cars have driven through it while it was closed

[@davebenefield5387]

Can you send pictures, please?

[@brenttalk9788]

Would love to see a pic … feel free to send

[@lady_draguliana784]

i hope you weather proofed it good!

[@Lil_Ran_Ran]

I love your videos!! I love everything you do!! ❤

[@SEMPER-FI-777]

Great 1st video into your channel......your gonna do well Brother.... due to your brutal but sincere honest.......Semper-Fi !!! 👍😎🇺🇸😇

[@tomsmith3799]

That's awesome man good job

[@davidbrad-pn3vi]

Hi I really want to say I love it .I am also a Bard

[@ToeCutter454]

could probably also get away with using a linear actuator from an old car wiper blade, they're 12 volt and quit powerful and a much more compact package!

[@bradh74]

You seem like a great guy hope all goes well for you!

[@zangzang1268]

Pure functionality. Creative thinking for sure, well done sir!

[@thebeardedbard3440]

Thank you kindly!

[@mkasle68]

i like that concept there, man..✌️💨💨💨👍

[@bretgreen5314]

Brilliant solution; well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Neat idea. Enjoyed a full-watch. 👍🏽🤠 01/17/24

[@farmboycharlie6543]

So cool. I have a sorting pen I chase calves into when they escape from their pens. Seems I'm always alone or on the wrong side of that gate. That will be a game changer

[@assassinlexx1993]

I suggest you bolt a pole up to the post. Then put the light up top of the pole . This will light the gate up . Better to see if the gate is open.

[@deepersweeper969]

This is VERY cool!

[@rfiskillingussoftly6568]

My friend did the exactly the same thing on her gate in 1996/97 worked great,she loved it!

[@brenttalk9788]

How long did it last ?

[@rfiskillingussoftly6568]

@@brenttalk9788 idk She got murdered by her husband a couple of years later!

[@lloydprunier4415]

I like it! I may have to put a fence across the front of my property because of the way my neighborhood is changing. If so I think I will try this with a roller type of sliding gate. My next door neighbor has had a steel tube fence for years and has a couple of swinging gates and they have had at least 3 different gate openers and currently they just gave up and do it manually. I don't know if they are just not mechanically inclined or what? They have spent plenty of money for nothing for sure.

[@maryrichmond]

That’s really awesome!

[@StepvanDan]

Nice gate ,shoot that will work send it ,thanks for sharing Big hugs from MN

[@nooch8it197]

I did the same thing but it did hold up to the weather. Build a box for the control/motor housing.

[@brenttalk9788]

How long did it last ? Was it a solid gate ?

[@nooch8it197]

@@brenttalk9788 it didn't last the summer. It rains every day here in fl.

[@calvinflager4457]

Nice work. thanks. Does it work against the wind? Not a breeze, wind.

[@sportsmobile8328]

My brother in law did that about 15 years ago and it still works fine. You can get free garage door openers all over the place.

[@heyeverybody5616]

Well done sir!

[@danielneeland2034]

I’ve been disappointed because of the lack of reliability in the Mighty Mule/GTO system I bought at Home Depot. I’ve replaced blown components. I’ve replaced main boards. I’ve replaced the linear arm and I’ve replaced the motor in the linear arm (I used a motor out of an old Makita cordless drill). The Mighty Mule/GTO has been a lot more expensive than its base price. All this time the Genie garage door opener’s only problem has been cobwebs blocking the optical sensor. The Genie only needed a quick wipe of the sensors. No additional cost. Both the MM/GTO gate opener and the Genie garage door opener are 15 years old. Hope this information is helpful to you.

[@cdalton3169]

Neat. The GTO openers are absolute garbage. Had three, all junk. Never again. Ghost Controls, never had a problem. I like your idea! Great content.

[@obi1kahnobee549]

well done great work.

[@joshmoses1335]

That is awesome, great ingenuity!

[@WhatDadIsUpTo]

I did something similar using pulleys and a counterweight, which closes the gate via gravity. Put you a Harbor Freight magnet where a latch would go. I did that, and it's strong enough to keep the wind (North Texas) from opening it.

[@dwightvoeks9970]

I love projects like this. I would get rid of that osb and wouldn't rely on flex seal to protect it as it will eventually fail. Why not power it with DeWalt batteries. All you need are two and just alternate them when the opener slows down. I have been relying on DeWalt batteries to blow heated air throughout my house for 4 days since my furnace broke down and temporarily powered a ceiling light when I had to turn off power for an electrical repair. I get the solar idea though. No messing with it.

[@AppalachianFarmstead]

Cool build, my only concern is high winds. I have a Ghost Control opener and in high winds it struggles. I’m talking 30 mph and up. If we’re going in and out on those days I open it and put it on party mode. I put a T post at the full open spot so the wind doesn’t put stress on the opener and I can latch tight. Just a suggestion

[@thebeardedbard3440]

So far we’ve had up to 50 mile and hour and it’s held up

[@AppalachianFarmstead]

@@thebeardedbard3440 That’s good, better than my $1000 Ghost Control 😐

[@chrisdebusschere9873]

Great job

[@savagewolf1966]

That's slick,works good.

[@mora103]

Pretty smart 👍 only thing I'd do different is the wood 😅 I'd probably tack weld thin plate metal instead of plywood 😂

[@SP30305ATL]

Last year I installed a Ghost Controls automatic gate opener at a friend's house. It was $500 plus my free labor. Looks like you save even more money, but if you end up having trouble with your setup due to weather or whatever, the Ghost was easy enough and a third the price of the $1500 you were quoted. My friend is quite happy with it. Great job on your creative engineering though!

[@brenttalk9788]

What type of gate does your friend have? Is it solid wood and what size?

[@SP30305ATL]

@@brenttalk9788 It is metal and I don't have the exact width but it is probably 1.5-2x the width of a large SUV. The gate was already there--we just added the opener & controller.

[@brenttalk9788]

@@SP30305ATL is the gate solid metal re wind loading ?

[@SP30305ATL]

@@brenttalk9788 No, it was made from round stock like you might expect to see on a farm. You can google Ghost Controls gate opener for details, but it does say they don't recommend it for solid panel gates (>30% coverage) for the reason you suggested, i.e. wind.

[@SP30305ATL]

@@brenttalk9788 No it was open round stock metal like you might expect to see on a farm. You can google Ghost Controls for details, but they recommend *not* to use it on a greater than 30% solid gate for the wind resistance reason you mentioned.

[@paulblanchard7123]

Very smart idea.

[@wadekolbe429]

That's awesome! Thanks for the info...

[@paulcondie2520]

That's awesome! 💡💡💡🤔💯🔥

[@MacGyver2154]

At tractor supply the mighty mule openers are about $300.

[@ludditeneaderthal]

For your tub/cover, a can of that krylon "for plastic" spraypaint will prevent the inevitable UV degradation it will otherwise experience. Those totes have no UV inhibitors formulated in.

[@jodyengland2365]

I really do love it!

[@willseely4515]

That OSB board will turn to mush. Might be OK if sealed B4 it gets wet. Flex seal couldn't seal my leaky van. Once it gets wet, there's no saving it. Maybe some 1" UHMW from a plastic fabrication shop that might have some scrap. Still, kudos.

[@skoolzone]

I hope to see this young men turn old and gray. Because I want him to fulfill his role as Santa Claus people just look at him . Young Santa!

[@clarencefoster7689]

Old dish arm added to it wold work well with a few mods inside

[@gdounson]

Very nice..!

[@Dhannibal01]

Been there done that over 20 yrs ago with trial and error red neck design of my own design, worked for a while before it gave out.

[@brenttalk9788]

How long ? Solid gate or open re wind 💨

[@Firemanben123]

This is fantastic!

[@Adam-r7o]

Good thinking man.

[@dave5176]

I like it, but I would just use a wooden fence post and position it better so that the gate is at a true 90 degree angle to the gate post when open. The sensors could also be used on a smaller gate so that the gate won't close when there is an obstruction there?

[@unavailable1092]

Good lights

[@shelleybearden3190]

The particle board is going to fall apart the first time it rains. Move the opener so that it is it stationary to get the weight off of the gate and attach it to the gate like it is attached to the post. Mount it on metal and enclose it in metal so that it will last for years. I currently have a GTO, but when it dies, this is what I am going to do.

[@brenttalk9788]

GTO ?

[@brenttalk9788]

Woukd love to hear more about your idea

[@DA-zh9gi]

Great idea!

[@georgefamilyhomestead]

I love the idea!

[@Justthemow]

Need to swap out that plywood for treated and then make sure you coat the edges ply loves water swells and rots fairly quickly

[@blackhorse2947]

Bravo mon capitaine

[@coachgeo]

you likely need a drain hole drilled in the bottom of your cover. Temp changes will cause condensation.. it needs to drain out.

[@scaper97]

Very cool 👍

[@robert5]

How would I do this? Use a screw drive opener. Mount the garage door opener on a metal bracket to the main gate post using threw bolts and some kind of heavy duty hinge. Mound the door opener on a frame and attach the frame to the hinge. This is so when the opener activates the opener can swing on the hinge when it pulls/pushes the gate. Mount the attachment for the screw drive that goes to the garage door to the gate but with a stand off bracket that is about 12 inches long from where it mounts to the gate. When it activates, there is no wonkyness it just works, but, more like the actual gate openers if you look at those. The screw drive is the magic that makes it work. Most actual gate openers are screw drive, so you are just copying those, look at them and how they mount to see what I mean.

[@Happy3DModel-hz6uy]

cool stuff i think a gate these days is more important than a garage door opener. you can just lift the door by hand once your safely inside there