Gate opener via motor, clutch and winch spool

[cjacky4759]

Hi,

I was thinking of implementing the idea to open the gates automatically (gates open 90 degrees) and I am not sure whether this idea is viable or is there a better alternative in choosing the parts?:

Basically there will be motor sitting in front of the gates (at the open position) and with the press of a button motor spins the slipper clutch which would then spin the winch spool (wheel drum) which would pull the rope attached to the gate.

So 12 V motor -> slipper clutch -> winch spool/wheel. With the slipper clutch in between I want to make sure that if the battery dies or something else goes wrong, the gates would not get stuck in between open/close position, so the person could manually close the gates. Or even while the gates are opening, I could manually close them (the clutch would disengage the motor).

Also I am not sure if this slipper clutch would be able to pull ~ 3 kg. to open the gates without slipping.

Slipper clutch and winch spool found on Ali:

Slipper clutch

Winch spool

Is this doable or should I choose a different approach to safely pull a rope? Thanks.

Thanks for any help.

[Paul_KD7HB]

@cjacky4759

I am not sure whether this idea is viable or is there a better alternative in choosing the parts?:

Then buy a commercial gate control system. They work inside/outside, in snow, in rain, in hot sun, wet or dry.

[cjacky4759]

Hi, great idea, but I am trying to learn how components work, how to connect electronics, etc. so that I could build my own IoT project and gain knowledge. Cheers.

[Paul_KD7HB]

You won’t learn anything until you get the devices and try them. Right now you have NO data on the gate, either force or movement or weight, etc.

[jremington]

@cjacky4759

Also I am not sure if this slipper clutch would be able to pull ~ 3 kg. to open the gates without slipping.

Test it with your gate and let us know if it works.

Forum members can help with Arduino-related problems.

[gilshultz]

Start by getting a spring scale and connect it to the pull point on the gate and see what it takes. Also you may have to consider cold weather, depending on where in this world you are.

You need to determine what power is available to do this.

You can back up the clutch with a load cell, this can tell you the condition of the gate over time as you accumulate data.

The hook thing looks interesting but consider a clevis pin, that way regardless how tight the cable is you can release it. a Clevis pin rather then the cotter key then no tools needed to open.