Auto Gate

Nowadays, more and more house’s owner installed auto gate system for convenience at their house main entrance.

There are various benefits from having automatic gates. One of the most obvious is intended to provide easy access to gated home; nobody really likes to get out of their car to open the gates, drive through and then close them afterwards especially during rush hour, rainy days, hot-sun or others conditions. An elegant gate with an automatic gate system also can add up value of a home.

The modern technology make life more convenient that will enable us enjoy quick, safe, fast and easy access to our home. In the past driveway gates or any type of auto gates were only meant for the rich and famous, now they are more affordable within reach for all budgets.

Before you can think about asking someone to install your auto gate, you need wiring to power the automatic gate.

Normally before you move into your new home, you plan ahead by hiring a electrical contractor or a wireman to lay the main power cable of auto gate, usually auto Gate point using 7 core x 2.5mm PVC/SWA/PVC cable buried underground will cost about RM500- but need to pay extra if you have a longer car porch.
Sometimes the auto gate installers also provide the wiring services for laying armour cable for autogate.

Why do we need to do the auto gate cable first?

This is to save you the trouble of needing to hack the cement for the hiding the cable of the auto gate before concrete casting at your car porch. Errr.. if you live in an old house chances are
you need to hack the floor unless you don't mind looking like this.

This is what happens if without proper planning

Of course, if you're rich you can do renovation and plan to install an auto gate at the same time.

Why is armoured cable for autogate?

Armoured Cable is a robust and hard-wearing power cable protected by a layer of aluminium wire armour or steel wire armour designed for the supply of mains electricity.

 Armoured cable can withstand a strong pull power  stress, it has good water resistance  and  can  be directly buried.

A few things you need to know before you figure out how to make a budget for your autogate.

1. Did your house come with a autogate cable wiring?
2. The type of gate material you want to replace or if you short of budget you can even fix up your old gate and reuse.
3. The complexity of gate design pattern.
4. Size of your gate.
5. The type of auto gate system you want to invest in.
6. Mechanical unit piston type (motor gears or hydraulic)

Whether the gate are for residential or commercial use, you will try to get the best from your budget. Most common material choose is wooden, steel, wrought iron, stainless steel or from other materials. It may cost a considerable investment but in a long run when you think when it comes with your comfort security and convenience it is worth it.

All sorts of automatic gate systems on the market such as sliding type, screw drive piston, folding gate and swing cubic underground to meet all preferences, styles and requirements.

There are two types of swing gates and sliding gates available.

SWING GATES (Underground)
CUBIC is an underground automation for swing gates, after installation are usually concealed.There is no external actuators visible onto the gate or post.
This solution allows the movement of gates and maintains aesthetic without sacrificing its functionality.

SWING GATES (above ground)

The swing type autogate is the most common type. Today the most common autogate for this type of gate is arm gate, where your gate is open and closed by a mechanical screw driver piston type, actuator for swing gates.

This type of system does not need a motor to be buried hidden in the ground. It is much easier and cheaper to install. This design overcomes a common obstacle of water seepage to electrical system which will damage the motor caused by short circuit.

Many of the underground systems are being replaced with swing arm systems to prevent this problems from recurring.

Heck!  Lest we all forget about  aesthetically beautiful, what we want to ensure is durability!

Sliding Type Autogate

As the name implies, the fence gate basically slides, it utilizes a motor that operate on gear teeth at the bottom of a gate. One thing to note though is as time goes by, the sliding system gear can become worn and damaged over time. This will result the wheel to come off the track and disrupt the gate's ability to slide properly.

This design is used when you have a very wide gate or if you prefer a gate that takes up less space when it is opened. This design is ideal for residential and factory gate.

A word of warning. Since the motor required for the sliding gate needed power to drive the heavy gate, it tends to be more powerful, there is in grave danger of crushing into pets, children and  adults.

Recently I have decided to install autogate not only to protect myself from the hot sun and rain but also as a safety measure purpose. Getting down to shut/open the gate manually can be quite vulnerable situation, compared by staying in the car which psychology will make me feel safer.

However, you still need to do your part to stay alert, you can never let your guard down. You get out of your car only after you're sure it is safe after you look around as you never knew what was gonna happen next like the robbers might be hiding. They have been watching you and wait for the right opportunity to ambush you.

The auto gate installer was an ex-colleague, whom I known as a good friend of mine. I feel safer as he can provide me with further valuable and truthful information needed before I install the auto gate. He now runs his own engineering company engaged in all sort of general engineering works which include auto gate.

I'm quite apprehensive when it comes to which gate material should I choose, after elimating stainless steel material which is way too bright and might annoy opposite neighbors.
Nah, actually it is way too expensive for my budget.

My selection of auto gate material end up for Duplex System when make our gates: Galvanized Steel and Powder Coated Paint.


What is Galvanized Steel?
Galvanized Steel is iron that has been coated through a chemical process dipping it into a hot melted bath of zinc that protects the steel from harmful rust and corrosion. Typically, galvanized dipping should from the inside or outside surface.

This process known as galvanizing, permanently bonds the zinc to the steel.The zinc is now a shield for the iron to help the metal resist corrosion. Even with galvanization, corrosion will eventually start to occur, especially if conditions are acidic but takes a long time. Therefore why we need to apply the next layer.

Why Powder Coated Paint?
Powder coating is the technique of applying dry paint to an item. The item(s) are then placed in an oven and heated.
When powder coated items are applied correctly and maintained, they should be permanent. Unlike conventional paints, powder coated paints will not peel, chip or crack.

What is Duplex System?

When powder paint is applied to galvanized steel, this is referred to as the Duplex System.

The Duplex System is the best process used today to protect against any weathering affects of our environment on steel.

The powder coating actually increases the life of the galvanized steel. The paint slows the rate of the process of at which the zinc is being consumed. This will save you from going through the troublesome of yearly painting the gate.

Other Material use on Gate

I particularly like the idea of wood fencing but need to to use the subsitution material- Aluminium  Fencing. It looks like real timber and have many advantages:

- Aluminum is lighter thus will not burden motor driver

- Wood rots and aluminum doesn't rot
- Aluminum is stronger than wood

My friend recommended this product to me, DC Moto autogate he can say with certainty that this is the most reliable. It's no point to install a cheap hydraulic actuator which can give you a lot of headaches later on. Hydraulic actuators are prone to damage to internal seals caused by high pressure from vehicular collision.

DC Moto is supported by many local installers and that spare parts are readily available as local manufactured in Penang which comes with a year warranty.

Advantages of using DC Moto autogate system:


DC Moto emphasis on green technology by using Hybrid Power. This will reduces 95% of CO2 emission. A normal automatic gate consumes about 5 to 10W of electricity during standby 24/7. By using the hybrid design, it consumes only 0.2W during standby.

The main power switch on only to run the motor or charging the battery. The Backup battery for standby uses only 0.2 Watt. The system will switch to normal power mode and thus function normally in case the backup battery fails.

DC Moto have anti spy function is encrypted so nobody can scan and clone another remote to open your gate.

Mom is apprehensive of being locked out, should there is no current and she asked my friend, "What would happen if there was no electricity...Can we still open/close the gate?"

Yes, you can still open the gate manually with keys supplied. Just remember to attached to each remote control given and please don't call and tell me you have lost it. Something you may actually only used it once in your life but when in emergency you couldn't find it.

The indoor keypad for autogate is a wireless Keypad remote control unit. This allows you to place wherever you like.

You have option to choose opening only left gate or right gate as well as both gates.

A gate operator is a mechanical device used for either open or close a gate, one at the end of each gate.
DC Moto is using rotary driver extra strong gearbox with a lever to push the gate.

Automatic gate DC Moto can also be fitted with solar panel to charge a battery.

When you push a button on a remote control to transmit signal, over a period of time or roughly 2 years from now, you have to get closer to be able to received signal.. it means battery is weak. It's a sign, you know it's a time to get a new battery.

Saying Goodbye To Old Gate

Our house existing gate hinges was replaced to fit new gate

What a hot day. Wonder why he didn't use shade umbrella stand for shelther?

Gate replaced sits on a new hinges

Punching of hole is the evidence of Galvanised Steel chemical process
 dipping, the process of bath must be on both sides

Gate covered with protective film, to be removed when arrived

Auto gate driver, in the event of no current. Just flip the green cover  and insert your key. A single
key stroke will the lock, freeing the gate to move freely 

Control Box : Panel , Receiver , Battery , Transformer

New auto gate ready to serve!

My friend Ah Ming, showed me many front gate design readily available but it fails to grabbed my attention.

I designed my own gate pattern, with aluminium wood fencing as main feature which provide the gate strong but light. Middle of gate part comes with flower pattern and side gate ornamental wrought iron leaves. The side gate gap is to allow you manually open the gate using a key in times of emergency power failure, while there is pad lock to open or close when there is a need.

Now, no more standing in the hot sun or getting soaked wet just to open/close the gate, all done with just a press of remote button will do the trick. Mmm.. I'm getting greedy, I think I will call my friend whether the option feature also can add melody when opening/closing. Err.. James Bond theme prefered.