Ghost opening the gate
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Ghost Controls Gate Opener is fantastic! Battery operated, this unit is easier to run off solar than it is to wire up an outlet for the ac transformer that would otherwise charge the battery. Gate speed and smoothness is perfect, and it's tidy, with the motor in the operator arm, so everything is off the ground and out of harms way. Cable clean up is coming soon, but I'm completely satisfied with the operation of the product.
Thanks so much for this video. I'm going to install one of these instead of getting a very old Liftmaster opener repaired. The push to open option is great since I can keep the opener inside my carport. Much less expensive parts and simpler if future repairs are needed. Thanks for the tip on finding the resting spot before marking the holes.
Lowe’s is discontinuing these DTP1 Single Gate Opener KIT for around $145, as well as all the Ghost accessories, 75% off! I scored 3 Kits, 3 Solar 10W Panels for $30 each, 3 Premium 5-button remotes for $10 each, 3 ZombieLocks for $50 each, 3 Wireless Exit Sensors for $49 each, and the Push-to-open bracket extenders for $6 each! That was 2 weeks ago! Check your local Lowe’s, on top shelf stock, for any leftover stock remaining, as that’s how I found mine! Check outdoor area for clearance accessories being staged out there, and also check the back wall, for all the clearance items from Lowe’s!
WOW! That is incredible pricing!!! I'm still delighted with mine, but at that price I'm tempted to buy one for every door in our house!
Thanks a bunch! My swing out 16’ gate is gonna be motorized by midweek! I’m using your exact setup!
Upload a video and send the link or shoot a photo to me at Dave@MasterGermAndOdorRemoval.com. I'd love to see it!
@@DavePR almost finished it today; have to get the solar panel up, plant a stop post, and secure the wires. Hardest part was handling the gate solo!
@@willloy8901 Solar panel up? That thing has just been laying on top of my wall, as seen in the video, since the video. It worked so well there that I didn't bother with it.
@@DavePR the solar panel is up, and it works better than I expected. It was making 15.5V with minimal sunlight. Before I installed it, I checked the voltage on the batteries. After installing and many check openings/closings, the batteries still had over 12V. I also installed the access keypad and the ghost lock. Seems to work perfectly so far? I am going to reposition the antenna in hopes of operating gate from the house.
As you mentioned in your video I could not find any information on how to install the opener where the wall amount is the same plane as the gate like yours. I am so glad I stumbled across your video.
Thank you a million times for your short and informative video.
I use the opener every day! Yesterday I took out the recycle trash, today I used the opener again to bring in the can and blow out the pine needles.
I am a huge fan of this gate opener!
@@DavePR after I saw your video, I ordered my opener and I'm tackling the job tomorrow. Thanks again
@@DavePR Maybe it will say in the instruction book? But maybe you could answer me this question?
Since I'm installing my opener on the same plane as the gate, just like yours. Push to open, just like yours.
How far away from the closed gate does the bracket that is mounted to the wall that holds the opener arm go?
@@mrfiskars I'm out of town right now, but will check next week when I get home.
If I recall correctly, it was just a bit so that the arm when fully extended and the gate is closed gets to the wall. The measurement is a result of where you put the anchor on the gate itself.
I hope that makes sense.
@@DavePR it sure does make sense, thank you
Thanks Dave for sharing this great information about gate opener, now Im ready to install it. ! Thanks!
Thanks for writing! I'm glad you're going to install it. Let me know how it goes--you're going to be very pleased with this gate opener!!!
Thanks for posting this Video!
Planning on adding this Setup to my Dual Gates, hopefully soon!
Thanks Dave for showing the Ghost Controls opener in operation. I've been looking for a video to show how fast the opener is but until now, haven't been able to find one.
Wow, thanks for writing, Jim! I was looking for something similar--can it be on a block wall, and couldn't find that photo, either, so I gave it a shot and added the photo to the webs. I know you're going to appreciate not only the gate opener's speed, but I really appreciate the simplicity. If you're in the Phoenix area, I'll come help you install if you'd like.
Here's my review on Home Depot's website:
www.homedepot.com/p/GHOST-CONTROLS-Architectural-Series-Solar-Single-Automatic-Gate-Opener-Kit-DTP1XP/300985207
My name is 59ona64, and if you click on my "name," then you'll see some of the Ghost Controls accessories reviewed as well.
Add a positive stop with a piece of aluminum angle iron. Screwed to the face of the gate because one gate is always going to close before the other one and you can set your limits against the gate but it works doesn't it? Good job
This is a pretty good video and they should pay you.
Absolutely! They make a wonderful product, and it was supplied to me to write a review, but I was so excited about this solution for our home that I did the video. Thank you!
@@DavePR do you honestly thing the product is great? Doesn’t come with the battery box and I bought the duel swing with the solar panel and I have to buy the battery battery box separate
There is a wiggle room in the shaft so you need to pull it all the way out while in the fully retracted position to get rid of that wiggle room otherwise you will end up with the V like you had .. Not fully closing will be a major problem if you are using a zombie lock .. I tried 2 gates and the shaft had the about 1/8” of wiggle in both and it caused my 14” gate to close about 1-2” ahead of the desired ending position .. I know this is against the instructions which says not to touch the shaft after automatically retracting it but it is the only way that worked for me to get a tight closing.
Thanks for the tip.
I learned also to screw in or out the silver arm that comes out of the actuator for fine adjustments.
Just installed the Ghost and also have ~1/8 of actuator end play. I tried what you said and also what the OP, Dave Robinsons said, and no matter what was tried the actuator has ~1/8 inch end play, wiggle room . Open or closed, the end of the 12 ft gate moves about 3~4 inches because of this end play. Did you completely remove the end play and make it solid? I watched other vids and it seems like those gates also have a couple inches of play opened or closed. As my install is a single swing gate, the closed position is fine 2 inches in either direction. Just thought the actuator would be more solid and have better gear tolerances. Never owned a gate opener before so maybe this is typical...
@@ridemfast7625 yes pull it out and tighten the gate with every thing pulled out as far as you can ..
I have a square gate as well not a round barn door. Did those adapters come with the kit for a square gate option ?
You could have mounted the gate operator on the recess of the brick column and open them to the inside. He only need 4 inches geometry but it works doesn't it? Good job
Absolutely that would be cleaner, but those blocks are thinner, whereas the H block is grouted, so there is concrete back behind the fragile exterior of the block.
If the interior blocks were stronger it would be a perfect way to get it more out of the way when opened!
Thank you!
Here in Australia I recently replaced my old gate opener from (APC) the great thing about the new control box is with the two batteries that come with the kit are charged through the motherboard so there is no need for a solar panel. My other gate closer I installed a battery back up and it was charged with a transformer.
I use the solar panel supplied. It feeds into the motherboard, and out to the batteries. It keeps them charged up and ready to go, no external transformer needed.
The openier is wonderful for us!
@@DavePR I would only install a solar panel if I was off the power grid.
@@robertbutler8004 mine didn't come with a plug in. That's an option, but I was really happy to not run power across the side slab to the gate opener.
Sorry for dumb question, But I’m confused . If your inside your property does the gate open into your property or outward away from your property ?
I have this one set. up to swing out. Same unit can swing in, the only difference is how you set it up to function. Mine swings out.
@@DavePR Thank-you for your response . I have the same kind of Masonry columns and my mounting will need to be similar to yours . I just wanted to make sure I would still be able to have the gates open to the inside of my property. If they had to open outward I would have to stop in the road for them to open .
@@dtm6215 The biggest change is that your gates will rest with the arm extended, so it pulls the gates inward.
Mine rest retracted and push the gate outwards.
When I installed these, nobody had yet posted any photos or videos of block wall mounting and pushing outward, so we just crossed our fingers and gave it a shot. I'm so glad we did, and this electric gate is one of our favorite features of our home, and my kids LOVE it.
Ghost Controls has been awesome for us.
@@DavePR yes I have looked everywhere and finally found your video . No one shows them mounted to brick posts or block posts. I think the arms being extended all the time would possible cause damage to them . I will have to really think this over .
@@dtm6215 they’re designed to be extended all the time and pull to open. Your use is the standard use.
Mine is the oddball setup.
Give Ghost Controls a call.
Can i hook this to a marine battery large one?
Yes, absolutely. It's a 12 volt system, so any 12V power supply will work. The larger battery will simply provide more open/close cycles without needing to be recharged.
I get 1-2 years out of one of these smaller batteries, with Ghost Control's solar panel connected.
Thanks for the great review. I appreciate the tip about running the Piston to see final resting spot before mounting the bracket to the gate. Looks like you might be able to weld a pair of those arms at a slightly shorter length and keep existing mount spots but get a square close. I'd be happy weld them for ya if that's the case. I've had plenty of self installs of nice hardware that came out just a tad off. I know the feeling. If part is available, you could ship to me, I'll cut and weld, then ship back to you. I have no idea if this could work but knowledge has value. Id love to give back a weld for it if it would help ya out.
Wow, Brian! That is a really fantastic offer--I'm honored. I drilled the stop for the non-powered gate to match the front of the power gate, and I'm the only person in my world who really cares, so I really appreciate the offer, but there's no need.
I'm really glad the tip was helpful for you. I'm really impressed with the opener, and at this price point, I think every house in suburbia should have powered gate openers, as well! This is not just for the Paradise Valley crowd, but this is genuinely for everybody--easy install, easy operation, custom controls if you want them, and reliable as can be. Let me know if you install a gate opener. I'd like to see how it goes for you.
Is this still working good? Any problem with battery or the solar panel?
It's great! Read the comments for updates--they're pretty boring because it works. There have been some issues, but Ghost Controls Customer Service Dept is fantastic!
How did you determine the distance to mount the bracket from the gate im looking to mount it on a 24 x 24 brick coluum similar to your mounting on block and gate will swing out
Richard
Great question, Richard. I mounted the large u-bracket to the block at the correct height for the operator arm to push against the middle horizontal black metal bar in the gate. I went in from the edge of the block so that my anchors were not in the side wall of the block, but in the sections of the block that get mortared (concrete poured down the hole from the top).
Then I just put the end of the operator arm where it naturally wanted to be and mounted the small u-bracket to the black horizontal gate bar.
Note that the operator arm has fine-tuning by turning it clockwise or counterclockwise. I didn't realize this when I was installing it.
@@DavePR thanks for getting back to me
Why do some sets have a car battery vs the smaller ones in your video?
The smaller one in my video is also a 12 volt battery, just like a car battery. The difference is the storage capacity--a car has a much larger battery because it has much more demand to start the car.
The smaller ones in the video are more like motorcycle batteries.
The small size makes for an easy wall-mounted battery box, even in soft block like my wall is made of. I now have two batteries inside, just because I have the room, and they need to be replaced probably every few years since they are out in the AZ sun all day.
@@mastergermandodorremoval Thanks for the reply. I like how you put that bracket on your pillar. I was considering that but wondered how you did it. I have limestone pillars but the bolt will not go all the way there like the way the instruction guide suggests.
@@danwesson1934 I used Red Head sleeved anchors, probably 3" x 3/8" but I'm not sure. I drilled the hole in the block, and found that it isn't filled with concrete, so I knew I had to be careful tightening. If it was filled with concrete, as I would have expected, I would just go as long as I could and tightened it up. As it is, I need to retighten every few years because the block is so soft that the sleeves wiggle out.
Next time I do it, I'll add construction adhesive to the back of the bracket and then retighten the anchor bolts to minimize the sleeves walking themselves out of the hole.
@@DavePR I’m hooking this up a 200 pound gate. I hope it works
@@danwesson1934 Let me know how it works. If your gate is hung properly, the start and stop will be the only hurdle--mount your arm very securely to the post so there is no wiggle. If your gate is balanced, a child should be able to operate it, so the initial kinetic and final kinetic moves should be the only concerns.
Drop a video link here, or shoot me an email with your install to TH-cam@MasterGermAndOdorRemoval.com. I'd love to see it!
WELL DONE ON A GREAT REVIEW!! I'm thinking of using them to open a set of lightweight barn doors (a much cheaper option than automatic barn door openers). Do you see any issue with this and how long is each arm when it's closed. Each barn door panel is only around 36 inches. Many thanks again!
So sorry I didn't respond sooner. Are your barn doors hinged to open in or out? I don't see an issue for when they're closed, because they're not always mounted at the 0" mark, but in the negative inches area, if that makes any sense. If the door is 36" wide, you may have the front clevis pin bracket at 35.5ish inches (where the doors meet in the center), and then the foot of the actuator arm would be mounted past the hinges, and often times around the corner of the supporting post that the door hangs from. Am I understanding your setup correctly? I think this would be a go, and a smokin' deal that you'll end up showing off to your neighbors. Since the remote is dual button, two barns can be set up on each remote--the cattle barn on one button, and the machine shop/garage on the other button. Please post a video or pictures of your set up and post the link here. I'd love to see it.
One more idea: Ghost Controls makes different length actuator arms (called Operators). Check out their site here: ghostcontrols.com
There is an optional lock to purchase. Will the gate swing or manually open if you don't install the lock?
My gate stays closed and I have not purchased an optional lock. Think of it as a garage door opener--one can purchase an additional lock to keep the door closed (the handle in the middle of the door engages and disengages garage door locks...most people don't even notice the handle, if it's there at all).
The garage door opener keeps the garage closed without additional locks. An additional lock can be added to defeat the garage door opener, but no one does that.
If your property is typically vacant, an extra lock may make sense for you, but for my residential application I am very pleased with it without an additional lock.
If you're talking about replacing the clevis pin, I have not and I'm not worried about it. Can someone get my gate to open? Sure, but the person who does that won't be dissuaded by a lock on the pin.
I don't know if this answers your question. Let me know if I misunderstood. Feel free to drop a link to photos of your gate or a video of your application.
@@DavePR it makes sense. I was hoping for this answer.
Dave, Thank you for the well-done video. How did you bolt the bracket in the block? My application is a bit different. The gate is hinged to a 12 x 12 brick post. The instructions ask to drill thru the post in order to fix the bracket. but I don't believe I can in this case.
I did bolt the bracket to the block--I used sleeve anchors from Red Head. You'd want to do the same--use two of the four holes in the back of the bracket and you're good to go. I need to fill that block with concrete, but a year later the gate is still doing just fine with just being anchored into a hallow block wall. Good luck with your project, and when you finish it, send me a link to your video. I'd love to see it in action!
Great video! So helpful. Only one question left before I purchase.. I need an outward open solution and have a skinny driveway. How much room do the swing arms take up inside the entrance when fully open?
Mine is 7.5" from mounted side of gate to furthest out point of the actuator arm. Add an inch if you have it held open at 90 degrees. Mine I open a bit wider, the width of my concrete H-block the arm is mounted to--the gate opens to the edge of my driveway, which is a little further than 90 degrees.
It' been almost 18 months since you reviewed this opener. Has your opinion changed at all? I'm on the fence (pardon the pun) about this vs. Mighty Mule - and quite frankly, the reviews for the MM are scary.
Yes, I still love this opener! I thought for a few days that it was getting sloppy, but the problem is that the cement block to which my actuator bracket is bolted is not filled with concrete (not grouted), so my bolts needed a touch of tightening. I kept thinking I'd fill the blocks with concrete, but I have not needed to since I tightened it again, and really just a bit more than finger tight that second time. The operator arm starts and finishes really nice and slow, as you can see in the video, so that there isn't incredible torque put upon the bolts.
I still feel the same about Ghost Controls' gate opener. The only thing I'd change is adding a second keypad behind the gate like I have in front of the gate because of one of my favorite features--you can't open the plastic control box and push a button to open the gate. I have remotes behind locked doors and in the car, so a second keypad would be great, but not necessary.
The solar panel has continued to keep the battery charged. I have been very pleased with this opener.
Dave Robinson awesome. Thanks for your reply. Due in no small part to your recommendation and review, I have one being delivered today.
I got one installed today and it was not really that easy right away. Like he says don't lock anything down until you know for sure where are of your holes, bolts are going to be. I followed there instructions and basically had to start over. I have the dual gate one and cedar posts. Thing is bad ass now! This is the gate opener to get. I bought everything and it was about 1100 bucks or so.
@@DavePR Great video! First one I've found with fastening to concrete. Any idea the diameter of anchor you used?
@@ronmcgowan Probably 3/8". I just used what I had on hand that fit the existing hole in the bracket, and I filled it up.
We still love the electric gate, and operate it at least 30 times a week.
Good video. I was going to buy a mighty mule but reviews were not too great.
Still going strong, even through this brutal AZ sun. It's on the south side of my house, so everything is in the sun morning until night. I'm stoked it's working so well.
herЫvore
thats the UPSIDE down 4