Recommendation points
To use the automatic gate with maximum comfort, a remote control unit should be installed. Your attention will be presented to three types of automation for sliding gates, which have varying degrees of technical complexity and ease of use.
Method one. Remote keychain
This type of automation holds the palm in popularity due to its ease of installation and use. A ready-made installation kit can be purchased at any gate accessories store. For example, a set of an external remote control and a DOORHAN receiver will cost no more than 2,500 rubles, but this is a completely budget option, such equipment is much less reliable than the products of such well-known manufacturers as the German Hormann or the Italian FAAC. They offer two-channel control panels in the price range of 1500-2500 rubles and receivers from 2500 to 4000 rubles.
Using the FAAC XR2 868 two-channel receiver for 2000 rubles and the TX2 868 SLH remote control for 1000 rubles as an example, you will easily understand the principle of operation and the connection diagram. It is important that the receiver and the console operate at the same frequency and have two channels. The devices in question operate at 868 MHz.
It is necessary to program and code the remote control and receiver:
- Connect the receiver to the 12V power supply using the terminals “+” and “-” on the printed circuit board, observing the polarity.
- Press both buttons of the remote control for a few seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
- There is a learning button on the receiver board, you also need to hold it down before the LED starts blinking.
- When both indicators are blinking, you need to hold down the gate control button and hold it until the indicators light up continuously for at least 2-3 seconds.
- Then the remote button must be released and again quickly pressed 2 times.
The receiver board has two relay outputs with normally open contacts. They imitate the operation of buttons and through them you need to pass the starting power lines of the starter coils.
Note!If the gate is controlled by buttons, there is no need to dismantle the latter, the control contacts can be connected in parallel.
The board contains DIP switches, the position of which determines the behavior of the board’s relay output. In position “1”, the contact is briefly closed during signaling. In position “2” the contact closes when the button is pressed and opens when the button is pressed again. This nuance is important to consider when drawing up a circuit and determining the operating mode of the limit switches.
You can also use an old car alarm box. Remove all loops from the unit except for the central lock control wires.
The device supplies 12V voltage pulses to the paired wires to lock and unlock the doors. The pulse duration is short, but in most cases it can be adjusted. To start the electric motor with a low impulse voltage, you need to add two additional relays to the circuit with a 12V coil supply. Thus, the alarm unit will supply voltage to the relay coil, it will pull in the contacts that close the control circuit of the starter coil.
Method two. GSM controller
Remote control of sliding gates can also be realized with controllers with built-in GSM signal transmitter. The convenience of this method is that there is no need to keep the control panel close at hand, you can open the gate by calling your cell phone or sending SMS. Moreover, you can give the command to open from a long distance..
Note:there is a problem with the stability of the signal: sometimes, due to the poor quality of the coverage of the mobile operator, there is a delay in the execution of the command.
On the Russian market, the most common signaling controllers are “XITAL”, which can be adapted for gate automation. The controller has three groups of relays, the contacts are switched when the corresponding command is given. Normally open relay contacts are connected in parallel with the control buttons. So the NO contact of relay group No. 2 must be connected in parallel with the gate opening button, contact No. 3 is connected in parallel with the closing button. Such a scheme requires the mandatory presence of limit switches, the opening contacts of which are installed in the open circuit of the starter coil holding circuit..
It is convenient to use ready-made SMS templates to send a command. To open or close the gate, a short SMS message must be sent to the SIM card number that must be installed in the control unit. Upon receipt of the command, the controller will close the corresponding relay contacts for 1 second, after which the gate will begin to move in the desired direction, which will be stopped by disconnecting the limit switches.
Control scheme through “Xital”
“XITAL” also has one remarkable function that can be used to more conveniently open the gate manually. This is the function of setting the system for control.
If you assign the function to turn on relay No. 1 during arming, this gives an additional opportunity to turn on the drive in one direction. The main essence of the method is that the setting of the XITAL system for control can be carried out through the Touch Memory magnetic key, the sensor for which can be placed in a convenient place on the side of the driver of an approaching car. To activate the function of switching on the relay when arming, you need to set the value “1” in the 39th cell of the telephone directory. The only problem is that the gate moves only in the direction of opening and you have to close it manually by pressing a button..
Note also that when the system is put on control, relay No. 1 remains in the on position until “XITAL” is removed from control. But even this disadvantage can be eliminated by connecting two digital time relays, such as Elko EP SJR-2 with a set operating time of 1 second, or two relays with a release delay, to the outputs of relay No. 1. This will turn the constant voltage into a short-term impulse..
Thus, when the system is removed from monitoring, the relay is turned off and the normally closed contact is closed, supplying voltage to the time relay. It keeps the contact closed for a second, which is enough to start the drive and open the gate. The relay then resets itself and turns off the power circuit. When the system is put on control, relay No. 1 is switched on, its normally open contact closes, which closes the gate in the same way. Now, if you install a similar reader from the inner side of the yard, you will be able to control the gate using magnetic keys.
Attention! To avoid unintentional opening when switching off and re-energizing, equip your XITAL with an autonomous power supply.
Method three. RFID and Arduino control
The Arduino Leonardo board and modular components can be used to achieve an unprecedented degree of automation and a number of interesting features. The board comes in a boxless design, so, first of all, take care of a sealed enclosure for it. Also, do not place the device too close to magnetic starters to avoid electromagnetic interference..
One of the great features that Arduino can do is open a gate when a car approaches. It is necessary to clarify right away that this pleasure is not cheap, and, nevertheless, this option is more profitable than buying branded automation. For example, a set of an active RFID tag and a coordinator-reader from ICBCOM costs 40,000 rubles. More reliable and secure long-range radio identification systems cost even more – the Parsec PR-G07 kit will cost 100 thousand rubles. All you need is an active RFID tag of the SHF or RTLS standard with a radio frequency of 2.4 GHz costing 3,000–5,000 rubles and a reader. In addition, you need an Arduino Leonardo board, with all the necessary expansion modules, the purchase will cost up to 5000 rubles.
Considering the cost of an active RFID tag, assembling a control circuit with your own hands is 3-4 times cheaper than buying an inexpensive turnkey solution from ICBCOM.
You can use the simplest type of devices. For example, a label “Radius A” and a reader “Radius C” from SpaceTeam will cost up to 10,000 rubles. This reader does not have a coordinator, it just transmits an encrypted signal to the RS-485 port. Therefore, you need an interpreter and an executive module, the task of which is performed by the Arduino Leonardo.
Control with Arduino and RFID tags
The reader is connected to the Arduino board via an RS-485 shield. The two boards just need to be matched and connected with pin pins, then connect the reader to the RS-485 bus terminals. The radio tag is mounted inside the car (the optimal location is under a plastic bumper), when the tag falls within the scanner’s range, it sends data for processing to Arduino. If the tag identifier is recognized by the sketch, the board includes analog outputs to supply power through intermediate relays to the drive. The gate remains open as long as the RFID tag is at a certain distance from the reader, so that when the car is removed, the gate will close automatically.
The board itself can be used as a programmable master and has almost unlimited control possibilities. If configured correctly, the system itself will turn on the parking light, contact the smart home and send it information about the owner’s arrival. At the same time, the board takes over absolutely all the tasks of controlling the drive and simplifies the electrical circuit as much as possible..
Now you can make the operation of your gate as convenient as possible using different control methods depending on your preferences. As you can see, even technically complex assemblies can be easily done by hand..
Can you provide more information about the remote control for gate automation? How does it work and what features does it offer? Is it easy to use and program? Can it be customized to individual needs?