Way back in December of 2022, less than a year after we bought the island place compound, HA had said that she absolutely, positively wanted an automatic gate opener. As a kind of gag gift, since the prospect of moving still seemed very far away at that point, I bought her a gate opener for Christmas. We’ve been keeping track of it ever since, and moved it over on the boat.
Today, at last, I felt it was time to install the thing. Though I had hung the gate knowing it would get an opener, and it can be swung open or closed with gentle pressure from one finger, there are still challenges. The first is that the instructions say that the gate post must be set in concrete and preferably made of steel. I have a wooden post, but that wood is notoriously strong and pest-resistant ‘ōhi’a. It’s set in the ground, not concrete, but that ground has had over a century of having gravel laid on it for driving. I think it will work out.
I have scavenged batteries from two “uninterruptible” power supplies whose function is, uh, interrupted. I have reconditioned and charged those batteries, and they seem to be ready. I have a solar panel to keep them charged, but it’s really shady around the gate so I’m not sure I’m going to be able to keep them charged without hooking them up to house current (also solar, though).
We’ll also have to teach Luna the Big Dog™ about the gate: how to stay out of the way when it’s moving, and keep clear of cars coming and going.
I got as far as cutting a notch for the actuator bracket when I discovered that my 12” drill bit — that I’ve kept in the same place in my toolbox for over 30 years — is missing. Ugh. I’m going to have to order a new one before I can proceed.
Still, it’s a start and I think we’re going to like not having to get out of the car to open and close the gate whenever we come and go. Especially if we ever get real rain.
—2p