Let's face it - opening and shutting gates is a real hassle. Whether you're coming in from the farm or arriving home late on a rainy night, our solar powered gate is always there to greet you. No more getting wet or feeling unsafe as you get out of your car. . . Just one press of a button and you're inside the safety and security of your own property.

Designed and built for all weather conditions, our solar-powered gate does away with the need to run 230v power long distances to remote sites. This is achieved by using free solar energy, collected with a solar panel, and stored in an efficient battery system for use anytime of the day or night, regardless of prevailing weather conditions. The Hunkin Solar Powered Gate Opener is easy to install on most wooden and pipe gates (Franklin/Greyson etc.) and operates on batteries that are charged by the sun. This means you can automate almost any gate, no matter how far it is from the power. Just imagine arriving home on a wet winter's night, and all you have to do is touch the remote control button from the comfort and safety of your car.

Those of you familiar with us know that we only sell what we use. That way we know the quality and can answer questions. The gate opener in the picture is our own gate and it has opened many times in the last 3 years.

How easy it to install a solar gate?
Six easy steps:

Step 1: Make sure your gate is aligned to swing back and forth freely.	Step 2: Mount the motor and motor fixing brackets as per the simple diagram provided.
Step 3: Install the motor control Box.	Step 4: Install the lock and stop bracket at the end of the gate.
Step 5: Install the solar panel in a location of your choice.	Step 6: Set your remote control to the gate & start enjoying the convenience of a Solar Gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get in the gate?
There are three ways. You can use a wireless remote which you can keep in you car, a push button switch (wired or wireless) at the entrance, or a wireless keypad with pin. The push button switch will allow anyone arriving at the gate to enter. However if you should go out, you can operate a key switch on the control box to disable the wired push button switch. All your remotes will still operate, so you won't be left out in the cold.

How do I get out?
You can either open the gate with you remote, fit a push button switch near the exit, or opt for the automatic exit option, wireless or wired.

What about security?
If you are installing a double gate and each leaf is no longer than 1.8 metres then you can use the self locking feature of the rams. (low security). On a single gate entry you can fit the mechanical lock. The security is low, but it protects the ram from excessive force if someone should push on the end of the gate. It works by allowing the ram to pull a cable before the gate opens. This lifts the locking plate and allows the gate to open. Simple, but effective. This is best used where you may have stock for instance pushing on the gate.
Finally we have the high security option with an electric lock that is electrically opererated by the controller.

What is the biggest gate you can swing?
Our gate openers will open a 6 metre gate weighing up to 300Kg. Your gate must be free swinging and installed properly. If you are in a high wind area we would suggest you use a steel gate as it has far less wind resistance.

What happens when the sun isn't shining, for instance at night?
During sunny weather the solar panel generates electricity to charge the sealed batteries inside the control box. The batteries will open and close a single swing gate at least 110 times on a full set of batteries, and about 55 times for a double gate without needing a charge. We have fitted a 10 watt panel so the charge is restored after an opening in about 5 minutes (full sun). This ensures the gate will work 24/7.

How does the automatic exit work?
The automatic exit is something I have developed myself. It is based on our driveway alarms. A durable rubber hose is laid across your driveway about 100 metres from the gate. When a vehicle runs over the hose a signal is sent to the gate to open it. The unit runs on one alkaline 9 volt battery. Battery life is at least six months.

Are the Gate Openers easy to install?
If you can hang a gate you can certainly install a gate opener. The rams are fixed to the gate either by U bolts for a steel gate, or by coach screws if using a wooden gate. The basic tools you need are a couple of adjustable spanners, a battery drill and drill bit, plus a fine bladed screwdriver for making electrical connections. The circuit board is labelled so there is no mystery where the wires are connected. Wiring is minimal, and it is only 12 volts, so won't get an electric shock. Our manual has photographs not photocopied pictures in it. You can also download a PDF of the installation manual by clicking here (1.1Mb PDF file).

What is the difference between the solar and mains unit?
The first thing of course is that the 230v unit does not have a solar panel, so it is a bit cheaper. However while the mains unit may be cheaper, if you need to run mains wiring for any distance, it does not take long for the cost of the wiring to exceed the cost of a panel. In the 230v mains unit we have a transformer (battery charger) that charges the batteries. We only have one battery in the mains unit since is charged as long as there is mains power, unlike a solar panel that relies on the sun.

All our units have been primarily designed for solar operation, rather than mains operation, whereas other gate openers are designed as mains units and then adapted for solar. Why is ours better? Energy from the sun is not as great or reliable as that from the mains supply. Therefore the motors and everything in the unit must be very efficient to run on solar. Our solar gate openers were designed around a very powerful efficient 12 volt motor. Units designed for mains operation on the other hand don't really have to worry about efficiency, so when they are adapted for solar they often don't perform that well.

What happens if the unit should fail, how do I get in?
In the unlikely event of a failure the ram and electric lock can be operated with a key. Once unlocked you can just push the gate open.

Special on all gate openers - $200.00 off the retail price
Freight on all kits NI $55.00, SI $85.00

Automatic Gate Openers Price List

Mains units including one pendant 4 channel remote
Single gate, mains powered, mechanical lock	$1,693.00 $1,493.00
Single gate, mains powered electric lock	$1,949.00 $1,749.00
Double gate, mains powered no lock	$2,245.00 $2,045.00
Double gate, mains powered electric lock	$2,499.00 $2,299.00
Solar units including one pendant 4 channel remote
Single gate, solar powered, mechanical lock	$1,970.00 $1,770.00
Single gate, solar powered, electric lock	$2,236.00 $2,036.00
Double gate, solar powered no lock	$2,531.00 $2,331.00
Double gate, solar powered electric lock	$2,797.00 $2,597.00

Extra Accessories

Freight on accessories $7.50

Pendant four channel remote	$89.00
Large control long range, four channel	$89.00
Push button wired entry	$49.00
Push button exit	$49.00
Keypad 4 channel 433 Mhz	$239.00
Push button entry wireless	$159.00
Auto exit wired (wire NOT included)	$115.00
Auto exit wireless	$189.00