Converting gate opener to solar

T

Tomcnt909

Member
Location
SoCal
Occupation
Student
Greetings everyone, I am converting my CO-Z Auto Sliding Gate Opener to Solar powered, my inquiry is in regards to my checklist if it has everything I will need to convert my Gate opener to Solar, or if possibly there's another item needed. Also can I know which is the best battery brand to purchase that will last the longest for I will be purchasing the Camco Large Battery Box to be used to store the battery beneath the dirt.

1. 6 AWG Copper Flexible Cable Wire /+/ Copper Wire Lugs Battery/ Heat Shrink
2. Giandel Power Inverter Pure Sine Wave 1200 Watt 12V DC to 120V
3. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
4. Interstate Batteries 12V 55Ah Deep Cycle Battery Rechargeable SLA AGM

I am unsure of which Charge Controller I should purchase any recommendations ?

Renogy Wanderer Li 30A 12V PWM
Renogy 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller with LCD Display
GHB 20A 12V 24V Solar Charge Controller Auto Switch LCD
 
L

letgomywago

Senior Member
Location
Washington state and Oregon coast
Occupation
residential electrician
They don't do DIY here but what you're doing isn't as simple as you think it is and the only practical way to accomplish this would be a DC motor and whatever you do won't be UL listed or maybe even legal for your jurisdiction. I can't imagine this being cost effective in savings either.
 
J

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
I don't see why the inverter would be impractical, assuming it can handle any surge. The downside is it would be more expensive. The upside is it wouldn't risk the opener warranty.

I would save money with a low amp charge controller because you really don't need any significant power from the solar panel at any time. Whatever amps exceed the Isc of the solar panel.

Whether it's cost effective depends on whether the gate already has reliable power.
 
Joethemechanic

Joethemechanic

Senior Member
Location
Hazleton Pa
Occupation
Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
The only way I could see it making economic sense is it was in a remote location with no power. For the most part gate openers consume little energy
 
J

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
Joethemechanic said:
The only way I could see it making economic sense is it was in a remote location with no power. For the most part gate openers consume little energy
Click to expand...
The small energy consumption makes it more likely to be economic, because the cost of trenching even a modest distance to a gate location is more likely to cost more than solar equipment.

That said, if this is 'converting' an installation that already has power it almost certainly won't pay for itself.
 
Joethemechanic

Joethemechanic

Senior Member
Location
Hazleton Pa
Occupation
Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
jaggedben said:
cost of trenching even a modest distance
Click to expand...
When I was a kid, I dug a trench about 100 feet long from our garage to my grandmother's greenhouse with a pick and shovel for a water line for a large peperoni pizza, a bottle of Orange Crush and some chocolate peanutbutter cup ice cream. I had to share it with my brother too because he said he helped
 
Joethemechanic

Joethemechanic

Senior Member
Location
Hazleton Pa
Occupation
Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
jaggedben said:
Well that's about the cost of a 100W solar panel or a charge controller for this application. And not everyone has a grandkid to boss around.
Click to expand...
In 1972 that was probably a little under 5 dollars

ramsy said:
That's why homicide is most common among family members.
Click to expand...
I was about 11 so that would make him about 6. He moved dirt around with his Buddy-L dump truck and toy steam shovel
 
Joethemechanic

Joethemechanic

Senior Member
Location
Hazleton Pa
Occupation
Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
electrofelon said:
I had this fascinating experience about 10 years ago when I realized how slow and inefficient some people are at digging. I figured it was just one of those things anyone can do. But apparently I am very good at it. Unfortunately my shoulders start to give me trouble if I do too much of it - otherwise I would go down and help 😂
Click to expand...
Dirt was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid. One time I dug a hole behind the barn and my brother fell in it headfirst. It was narrow so he kinda got wedged and it pinned his arms. I went in the house for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and my mom asked where my brother was. I said I don't know. Now the whole family gets in a panic. We're searching everywhere for him. My mom hears muffled screams and we all run back behind the barn. All you could see were his feet sticking out of the hole going a mile a minute.

He still doesn't like working in tight spaces
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top