Automated gates - pitfalls?

I was considering automated gates following a number of burglaries on our quiet country road. Audible alarms are ignored and as for the dialler types the nearest squad car is 20 minutes away at night (if there's one free). My idea is to prevent vehicles driving in and off again with our stuff - I figure that if they have to pass our TV over the hedge onto the road it just might act as a better deterrent!

Have read previous threads in the forum and found most not relevant or outdated. I'm just going to ring around and compare offerings, maybe talk to people who have had previous work done by the company etc.

Has anyone got a sliding electric gate (said to be more trouble-free) and how do you find it in practical terms? Are there any pitfalls? Do we have to have pillars already? (We don't have any gates at all at the moment!)

(Please refrain from sharing your thoughts on the philosophy of "gated" houses, though )

Practical advice welcome. Thanks

Try Nordeal in Dublin, they will send you out a catalogue. Avoid cheaper brands as they will break your heart. Stick to CAME, better motors. I have fitted sliding gates at work and leaf gates at home and both work well. I used to have a Proteco system at home and replaced it as it was allways giving trouble.
Hope this helps

Catch Security did our and they have been working for about 14 years with about 2 call outs in that time.
We have just had to replace the motor and the underground box at a cost of €2,700.

Hi there,

I had automated gates fitted about three years ago. The aren't sliding but ram operated. If you are out the country these type are fine but if you are in a town I gather that the tubes linking the ram can be snipped. The only advice I can offer - we got our electrian to install, he was very good and all the rest but if I have a problem, I have to get him out and could be waiting. My advice is to go with a contractor and have a contract agreement for servicing once a year as insects etc can do a bit of damge from time to time. I gather the slidding ones are better - can't be rammed as easily. Anyway good luck with venture we have great piece of mind with gates - better than any alarm.

Thanks to everyone for those comments.

911, what is CAME - an acronym?

Angela59, will take your advice on the contractor, thanks. One query: "If you are out the country these type are fine but if you are in a town I gather that the tubes linking the ram can be snipped"
Don't they snip the ones in the country, then????

Woods, thank you for the contact info. Whereabouts are Catch Security? We're in Co. Kilkenny.

AlastairSC said:

Woods, thank you for the contact info. Whereabouts are Catch Security? We're in Co. Kilkenny.

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Shortcut to: http://www.security.ie/index.asp
I assumed that they were just a branch of a national company or even an international one but having googled them I see that they are just Cork based.

Not trying to be smart but if you just want the gate locked for security why not just get a lock for your gate?

Toby said:

Not trying to be smart but if you just want the gate locked for security why not just get a lock for your gate?

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I can hear cries of "who's turn is it to go out and lock the gate before we go to bed"

Hi,

with reply to your query - my electrician told me that in town or cities the teenagers and pranksters cut the wires for the crack - not necessarily burglars. I am in county carlow, you say you are in county kilkenny, would you not try the likes of I think APS or APB, sorry to be vague I'm thinking of top of my head the are based along the riverside toward the library on right hand side, the do automated gates - also locally here Barrow Automation have a good reputation - I was sorry I didn't get them as I had a few problems with the Ram etc.

CAME is a brand name, check their goods at www.nordeal.com. I have found Nordeal excellent to deal with and have bought numerous sets of gates from them. Any competent electrician should be able to fit an automated kit, if you want to get a specialist contractor so be it but all these items come in kit form and have manual over rides.
The main technical problem with these gates are insects getting into the control box and causing the printed circiut boards to burn/trip.
hope this helps

angela59 said:

...I think APS or APB, sorry to be vague ...

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That'll be AP Systems on John's Quay.

Toby said:

Not trying to be smart but if you just want the gate locked for security why not just get a lock for your gate?

Click to expand...

As I said in my original post, we don't have anything at the moment, no gates, piers, nuttin'. Blank slate (or opening)

If I'm honest I suppose there's a certain convenience in not stopping, unlocking the gate, driving forward, relocking the gate etc. each time we exit or enter. I think human nature would take over and we just wouldn't bother, especially in the rain.

Thanks to the others for the pointers. I phoned around a bit yesterday and was a bit surprised that many didn't want to know, or even come out to see! I told them we were interested in a full install and contract - many just wanted to sell me the bits. Most mentioned their price as if they expected me to be deterred by it. Even when I wasn't, and communicated that to them there was a marked lack of enthusiasm

I'll follow the two definite contacts and see how they sound. Thanks for them, folks. If anyone else has a recommendation, I'd be glad to follow up those, too. I might even post up a picture of the finished product, just to annoy the "gated houses are élitist" camp. We like to think we not in the least élitist - why I was just remarking on that to the butler only yesterday

Sliding gates are better for security reasons as they can't be rammed as easily. I would make sure you go for a hydraulic system over mechanical, more expensive but it will save you digging it up in a few years time!