Quote:
Originally Posted by stefang
Having just gone through the automation of a ROR process myself, here are some considerations to think of when the time comes to motorise your ROR
Ultimately you need to consider the following: - What is the weight of the roof assembly?
- Do you require a solution for a single or split roof configuration?
- Do you need 24V or 12v etc
- Are you planning on using limit switches (magnetic, actuators etc)?
- Are you on grid or off grid power?
- Are you installing solar panels on the roof of the obs?
We initially installed a couple of Gate Opener units from Grays as below. We have a 1200kg unit on our south roof, and a 800kg rated unit on the Northern roof assembly. As we have 4 x 350kw solar panels on our southern roof, we needed something with some more torque to move the roof that drives a 6kw off grid power bank.
Gate Opener - Graysonline
About $399 including track
However, after a month or so of experimentation we swapped out the units for dedicated (60RPM) 12v motors. More torque, far lower power consumption, fully weatherproof and sealed geared motors with a keyed shaft.
120 Watt Geared motors. We sent the gearing from the gate opener unit off to a fabricator to have new gears machined from Brass so they are self lubricating.
About $119 for the motor+ $158 for the gearbox and mounting flange. New brass gears machined from stock were are about $190 bucks each
Ultimately budget, power source & reliability will be your key considerations.
If you are off grid keep in mind that the coils on a gate opener pull excessive power at start up. As our Obs is off grid we went with the smaller geared precision motors as they only pull 110watts, vs 500-600watts the coils alone draw when you activate the gate opener option. If you are off grid opening and closing the roof a handful of times can bleed your power store dry.
good luck
Stefan |
Sounds like you did your homework and a lot experimentation on power consumption calculation including optimal material for the gears. Now thinking out of the box, I reckon a couple of starved wombats roped to the roof track with a food dispenser on the other end of the obs and a low consumption solenoid to open the cages flaps would do the job nicely too.
