Gate automation in Auckland: what the job involves
Turning a gate into an electric gate takes three things: a sound gate, a motor rated for it, and power at the gateway. Automatic gates in Auckland come up on new builds and on older homes alike, and the order of work is the same for both.
Start with the gate. The NeoSlider manual says it must be in good working order and well balanced, so that one person can move it with no more than 15kg of force. If yours drags or has dropped on its hinges, that gets repaired first.
Then the motor. For sliding gates at homes, Dominator rates its NeoSlider 500 to 500kg and 6m wide, and its NeoSlider 800 to 800kg and 8m wide. Merlin's New Zealand range has the Slide 600 for sliding gates and the Swing L300, Swing A200 and Swing LR 500 for swing gates.
Getting power to the gate
Mains is the usual choice, and it often means new work at the driveway. The NeoSlider manual wants a weatherproof 240V 10 amp outlet within 1 metre of where the opener mounts, and says a qualified electrician must do the installation where 240V is used. The EWRB says fixed wiring like that needs a licensed worker and a Certificate of Compliance within 20 days of finishing.
If trenching across a finished driveway would be a headache, ask about battery backup and SmartSolar packages from Dominator, or Merlin's solar powered rural gate opener. A battery also earns its place in Auckland's winter storms: the gate still runs when the mains is off.
Safety beams are worth asking for up front
An electric gate is heavy and moves on its own. The NeoSlider manual strongly recommends safety beams, which need underground cabling from one side of the gateway to the other. Plan that before new paving goes down, and keep the keypad at least 1.5m high, out of children's reach, with a view of the gateway.
Everyday features worth comparing
Dominator's gate openers come with weather resistant covers, soft start and stop and an auto close function, and they can run off the same remote as a Dominator garage door opener, with smartphone control as an option. Merlin says its myQ app can run a gate only with an internet gateway and monitored safety infrared beams.
Merlin gives its gate openers a 3 year warranty. Check the term and what it depends on before you choose, as salt can be left out.
Electric gates around Auckland
Close to a harbour
Within 500 m of the coast or a harbour you are in exposure Zone D, BRANZ says, so ask about the finish on the gate and on the motor's fixings.
Stormy winters and springs
NIWA says gale force winds are most frequent in winter, and that strong westerlies with thunderstorms are most likely in winter and spring.
Sheltered corners
BRANZ found sheltered spots near the harbour held about 3 to 8 times more salt than open ones, so rinse the parts of a gate the rain never reaches.
What we would do
Get the beams and the power sorted in the same conversation as the motor. If a new driveway or fence is going in, ask the door specialist where the cable needs to run before the concrete truck arrives, because that is the easiest moment to do it.