DIY fence gate motor installation? Easy?

ChrisBirmele · Oct 12, 2023 2:37 pm

My fencing contractor could not supply the gate motor I needed, so I plan to get a suitable one and install it myself (low voltage 2-core wire setup, external transformer, sliding gate).

I am pretty handy with my tools and it doesn't look very difficult, but would be interested to hear from anyone who has done this before.

Thanks, regards
Chris

Hausen · Oct 15, 2023 5:51 am

Hello,

There's not a whole lot to them, 4 bolts into concrete and then screw your rack to the gate with a touch of clearance so the rack doesn't have pressure on the gear.

The electrical side I would not like to give advice on but if you're just plugging it in then it's an easy enough job if your fence has been built properly and they've laid down concrete where your motor goes (preferably after You've run conduits to your motor

ChrisBirmele · Oct 15, 2023 6:02 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes it doesn't look very complicated, just wanted to check if someone has done it. I have been quoted $1'000 to $1'400 bucks for installation (without the motor). Thought it was a bit of a rip off. :-)

Regards

Hausen · Oct 15, 2023 6:14 pm

ChrisBirmele

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes it doesn't look very complicated, just wanted to check if someone has done it. I have been quoted $1'000 to $1'400 bucks for installation (without the motor). Thought it was a bit of a rip off. :-)

Regards

I mean, I install them/sell them for a living so I haven't done DIY, unless you count the first one I installed lol. (electrician by trade).

Usually a 6-8 hour job for my techs to install , wire up and install gate rack, so at electrician rates $1000 isn't too far off the money to be honest.

I guess it's the electrical part that would put most off. Some control boards require you to bridge out safety inputs and other little things that you would need a basic understanding of electrical circuits to get up and running.