Real smart folks don't know much more then most of us.... It's all in the
ability to ask questions.... Yours indicate you have really thought about
this Bob... I have used one of these to build an opener for my 16' X 8'
drum style roll up door for the same reason... I just wasn't going to pay
900 bucks for an opener... The upside to your thoughts are the rolling
codes and avaliblity of the Cheapest opener on the market... ( install tips
below my signiture ) ( I got three junk models to play with from my local
installer... he was tickled to see what I did with them ) Keep in mind it's
not designed for this.... and the teflon gears inside can go away with use.
Mine wore out after only 4 yrs.... LOL... who cares at that point... a 30
dollar set of gears and I was up and running again.
1. The Sears opener that I have is two directional and has limit sitches
inside that are totally adjustable within the range of the average Garage
door....( more then adequate for what your going to do ) they are on Teflon
1/4 28 threads that are about 4" long and have brass contact stops on each
end. If the gate hits something it will automatically reverse directions.
2. I think it's standard Bike chain... and avalible at your local hardware
store... or industrial supply by the foot. ( I'm 99% on this one )
3. I had to build a disconnect in to my system. it's simply a spring clip
that connects a steel inner rod to my sleeve on the outter.
Keith Turk
( I mounted this thing vertically and welded a 3/8ths shaft to the chain
drive sprocket on the opener... sticks out about 5" then I put a 3/8's ID
sleave over it that is welded to the Chain shaft ( pull chain used
manually ) Makes for a really cheap opener.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Nogueira" <nogera@prodigy.net>
To: "shop-talk" <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 11:51 AM
Subject: Gate openrs
>
> Folks,
> Need to run an idea by you and see if it flies;
>
> About two years ago I installed a gate on my driveway. Its a slider with a
> metal track that crosses over the drive and metal wheels on the gate. It
has
> a 16 foot opening.
> The electric openers for this type of gate use a chain attached to both
ends
> of the gate and a drive motor with a sprocket that sits inside the gate.
When
> the sprocket is turned via the motor. it pulls the chain and opens or
closes
> the gate depending on which direction the motor is running The problem is
> these opener are rather pricey at 800 to 1200 dollars.
>
> While at Sam's last week I saw a electric garage door opener (1/2 hp) on
sale
> for 135.00.
> The thing that caught my attention was that it was a chain operated
opener.
> The wheels started turning and what I've come up with is the idea of
buying
> the opener and building a case which would allow me to convert it to open
the
> gate. I'd have to mount it vertically and install a couple of idler
> sprockets.
> 1. What I'm not sure of is how these chain driven garage door openers know
> when to stop or how they reverse ( does the chain simply loop thus the
motor
> always runs in one direction or does the chain and motor actually reverse
> direction?).
> 2. Are the chains used in this type application standard chains or one of
a
> kind ?
> 3. How do chain openers deal with disconnecting the door from the opener
for
> manual operation?
> As always thanks for any advise .
> Bob Nogueira
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/shop-talk
|