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I have the motion sensor lights .. Humps go on in the day light hours if it is a little windy ..

Have 3 sets around the house ..

How much power do they draw? I just want one at the gate that can illuminate the keypad/doorbell and signs. Need one that sits atop the post.

I'm trying to figure out the logistics and everything we need to get to make the gate opener functional.

Absolutely necessary things:

Additional stuff I'd like to get

I ruled out the underground sensor because it could be triggered by my cows.
I should have at least one pole that was used for my old satellite dish-- although I don't know if it is high enough. Not sure how high it should be. I have a couple of old satellite dishes lying around so I can take mounting hardware from them if need be.
Right now the thing giving me the most trouble is finding the right battery and box that aren't too expensive.
 
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They take two 150 W bulbs ea . Mine are hardwired . You can adjust the sensor where you want it to look. 10' to 15' is good ..
 
I have a driveway motion detector alarm and a game camera plus several closed circuit cameras and motion flood lights around the house. Nothing solar powered.
My Ring doorbell is the bomb!
 
How much power do they draw? I just want one at the gate that can illuminate the keypad/doorbell and signs. Need one that sits atop the post.

I'm trying to figure out the logistics and everything we need to get to make the gate opener functional.

Absolutely necessary things:

Additional stuff I'd like to get

I ruled out the underground sensor because it could be triggered by my cows.
I should have at least one pole that was used for my old satellite dish-- although I don't know if it is high enough. Not sure how high it should be. I have a couple of old satellite dishes lying around so I can take mounting hardware from them if need be.
Right now the thing giving me the most trouble is finding the right battery and box that aren't too expensive.
They make marine battery boxes........ I don't think they're all that spendy.
Depending where the battery will be located/hidden/camo'd or disguised ............ might be as well off inside some sort of plastic storage container flipped upside down.......... it's just plastic and the acid or fumes from the battery won't hurt plastic. Sun exposure will make cheap plastic containers brittle in a couple of years. Heck, a $3 styrofoam cooler would probably work fine. Put a small rock on it to keep the lid from flying away and make a couple holes in the bottom so water can get out.

How much wire will you actually need?
How much actual sun exposure will the solar cell receive in it's proposed location? If just light from the sky and no direct sunlight, ya might want to go larger.
LED light sources use a minuscule amount of power, so you may not need a larger panel that the one that comes with the unit for lighting. LED light needs to be 12 volts but I don't think those are hard to find....... or get a 12V to 3V converter and wire up some of those cheap yard lights that you poke in the ground. Get 100 amber colored down facing yard lights and tell everyone to follow the yellow brick road. :D
 
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I talked a customer into adding a layer of OSB onto their bedroom floor so the carpet would meet the new tile at the 'correct' level. Ramping it up to meet 15 feet of tile would be kinda hokey. At one end the tile, was 1 7/8" higher than the floor. The other end was 1 1/4" higher. There was new tile installed this fall throughout most of the home and there was a dip in the floor that needed corrections. That's what created the height issue. Customer is happy I talked him into raising the floor, because now, his new base will continue at the same height when going from the tile onto the carpet. Without doing the overlay, there'd be a notch in the base where the tile to carpet transition is, ..........in two places.
 
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They make marine battery boxes........ I don't think they're all that spendy.
Depending where the battery will be located/hidden/camo'd or disguised ............ might be as well off inside some sort of plastic storage container flipped upside down.......... it's just plastic and the acid or fumes from the battery won't hurt plastic. Sun exposure will make cheap plastic containers brittle in a couple of years. Heck, a $3 styrofoam cooler would probably work fine. Put a small rock on it to keep the lid from flying away and make a couple holes in the bottom so water can get out.

How much wire will you actually need?
How much actual sun exposure will the solar cell receive in it's proposed location? If just light from the sky and no direct sunlight, ya might want to go larger.
LED light sources use a minuscule amount of power, so you may not need a larger panel that the one that comes with the unit for lighting. LED light needs to be 12 volts but I don't think those are hard to find....... or get a 12V to 3V converter and wire up some of those cheap yard lights that you poke in the ground. Get 100 amber colored down facing yard lights and tell everyone to follow the yellow brick road. :D

I've found the plastic tubs get brittle and fall part even when not in direct sunlight outside. I saw a nice box that was pretty damn expensive: MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center ($54.98) but I was thinking of getting the UPG Marine Smart Box ($29.99). Boxes locally are about that price and have vents in the top. Amazon recommends getting MightyMax 12v 35AH Trolling Battery $63.99. I'm guessing it fits in that box. I'd like to spend less than that on a battery, but if it is good and lasts long it might be worth it. I've figured out what AH stands for but I saw something that referred to MA for the power needs of the gate opener & I don't know what that stands for.

Highup, sounds like a good idea and I'm glad your customer was pleased!

I've been cleaning most of the day. Interrupted briefly by my unlucky friend wanting company and a lift to the store-- his truck broke down again. My brother actually helped me a little with the cleaning. He held the trash bags while I filled them. We were trying to get a broken wedge corner seat out of the room and I gave him a sledgehammer to tear it apart. He hauled the seat part out the back door and chucked the back through the window. I still have more trash to clean up. I found a friggin' printer lying on the floor behind where the chair had been. LOL. Found the missing remote for the blu-ray player. Found one of the missing phone handsets too.

I'm taking a brief break bc my back started giving out on me and then I'll go back to cleaning and I'll get everything set up for my brother to bring in the new recliner-- a Serta massage recliner that was on a black special. It was a special item the store normally didn't carry that was left unsold and I grabbed it the other day. Was gonna grab one for my friend for xmas but they were gone when I went back. Gonna get a waterproof/pet proof cover for it bc my cat with leukemia doesn't like to use the litterbox.
 
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I've found the plastic tubs get brittle and fall part even when not in direct sunlight outside. I saw a nice box that was pretty damn expensive: MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center ($54.98) but I was thinking of getting the UPG Marine Smart Box ($29.99). Boxes locally are about that price and have vents in the top. Amazon recommends getting MightyMax 12v 35AH Trolling Battery $63.99. I'm guessing it fits in that box. I'd like to spend less than that on a battery, but if it is good and lasts long it might be worth it. I've figured out what AH stands for but I saw something that referred to MA for the power needs of the gate opener & I don't know what that stands for.

Highup, sounds like a good idea and I'm glad your customer was pleased!

I've been cleaning most of the day. Interrupted briefly by my unlucky friend wanting company and a lift to the store-- his truck broke down again. My brother actually helped me a little with the cleaning. He held the trash bags while I filled them. We were trying to get a broken wedge corner seat out of the room and I gave him a sledgehammer to tear it apart. He hauled the seat part out the back door and chucked the back through the window. I still have more trash to clean up. I found a friggin' printer lying on the floor behind where the chair had been. LOL. Found the missing remote for the blu-ray player. Found one of the missing phone handsets too.

I'm taking a brief break bc my back started giving out on me and then I'll go back to cleaning and I'll get everything set up for my brother to bring in the new recliner-- a Serta massage recliner that was on a black special. It was a special item the store normally didn't carry that was left unsold and I grabbed it the other day. Was gonna grab one for my friend for xmas but they were gone when I went back. Gonna get a waterproof/pet proof cover for it bc my cat with leukemia doesn't like to use the litterbox.

He wouldn't be using my chair either . When i had a cat i gave him the baby powder test . I sprinkled it all over the counter tops , and checked for foot prints . He Passed .
 
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I've found the plastic tubs get brittle and fall part even when not in direct sunlight outside. I saw a nice box that was pretty damn expensive: MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center ($54.98) but I was thinking of getting the UPG Marine Smart Box ($29.99). Boxes locally are about that price and have vents in the top. Amazon recommends getting MightyMax 12v 35AH Trolling Battery $63.99. I'm guessing it fits in that box. I'd like to spend less than that on a battery, but if it is good and lasts long it might be worth it. I've figured out what AH stands for but I saw something that referred to MA for the power needs of the gate opener & I don't know what that stands for.

Highup, sounds like a good idea and I'm glad your customer was pleased!

I've been cleaning most of the day. Interrupted briefly by my unlucky friend wanting company and a lift to the store-- his truck broke down again. My brother actually helped me a little with the cleaning. He held the trash bags while I filled them. We were trying to get a broken wedge corner seat out of the room and I gave him a sledgehammer to tear it apart. He hauled the seat part out the back door and chucked the back through the window. I still have more trash to clean up. I found a friggin' printer lying on the floor behind where the chair had been. LOL. Found the missing remote for the blu-ray player. Found one of the missing phone handsets too.

I'm taking a brief break bc my back started giving out on me and then I'll go back to cleaning and I'll get everything set up for my brother to bring in the new recliner-- a Serta massage recliner that was on a black special. It was a special item the store normally didn't carry that was left unsold and I grabbed it the other day. Was gonna grab one for my friend for xmas but they were gone when I went back. Gonna get a waterproof/pet proof cover for it bc my cat with leukemia doesn't like to use the litterbox.
Depending on it's age, it maybe time to buy a new battery for your car and use the old car battery for the gate. The battery would still work especially since the battery would be kept fully charged since the gate use is intermittent.
I'm just saying it's probably near the same price for a car battery as that deep cycle battery for a trolling motor. Just a thought.
Deep cycle batteries hold up much better with trolling motors because they can withstand deep and long discharge periods. Regular car batteries don't hold up as well with long continuous discharge times and recharging. Gate is gonna open how many times per day? How long does it take for the gate to open and close compared to running a trolling motor for 2 hours straight? Points to ponder.
Also, if you have a battery charger, you might give the battery a full charge a few times per year to be sure it's topped off.
 
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Depending on it's age, it maybe time to buy a new battery for your car and use the old car battery for the gate. The battery would still work especially since the battery would be kept fully charged since the gate use is intermittent.
I'm just saying it's probably near the same price for a car battery as that deep cycle battery for a trolling motor. Just a thought.
Deep cycle batteries hold up much better with trolling motors because they can withstand deep and long discharge periods. Regular car batteries don't hold up as well with long continuous discharge times and recharging. Gate is gonna open how many times per day? How long does it take for the gate to open and close compared to running a trolling motor for 2 hours straight? Points to ponder.
Also, if you have a battery charger, you might give the battery a full charge a few times per year to be sure it's topped off.

We had to get a brand new battery right after purchasing the vehicle in January last year. The battery the dealership had in it was bad-- they had to jumpstart it to bring it to us. It was an expensive battery-- over $100.

This weather is giving me a sinus headache. Been raining but it's 40°. I got the new recliner in and put together, plugged it in to the wall outlet and wouldn't turn on. Stuck an outlet tester in the outlets and it lit up (but I need glasses bc I can't read the small print to say what the colored lights mean). But, when I had the recliner plugged in to bottom outlet and plugged in the tester no lights came on. Unplugged the recliner and put the tester back in to the top and it lit up. Went and got the can opener (that I know works bc I tested it when it was in the kitchen) and plugged it in to both outlets-- no power. So now I have to do more clearing/cleaning to get to the outlet on the other side of the room and run an extension cord. Fun times.

My brother was disheartened bc the recliner only holds 225lbs. My mother was a bit annoyed (even though I told her the weight limit before purchase). She weighs 235. I'm currently the only one in the house light enough to sit in it. So, my bro is not allowed to sit in it.
 
We had to get a brand new battery right after purchasing the vehicle in January last year. The battery the dealership had in it was bad-- they had to jumpstart it to bring it to us. It was an expensive battery-- over $100.

This weather is giving me a sinus headache. Been raining but it's 40°. I got the new recliner in and put together, plugged it in to the wall outlet and wouldn't turn on. Stuck an outlet tester in the outlets and it lit up (but I need glasses bc I can't read the small print to say what the colored lights mean). But, when I had the recliner plugged in to bottom outlet and plugged in the tester no lights came on. Unplugged the recliner and put the tester back in to the top and it lit up. Went and got the can opener (that I know works bc I tested it when it was in the kitchen) and plugged it in to both outlets-- no power. So now I have to do more clearing/cleaning to get to the outlet on the other side of the room and run an extension cord. Fun times.

My brother was disheartened bc the recliner only holds 225lbs. My mother was a bit annoyed (even though I told her the weight limit before purchase). She weighs 235. I'm currently the only one in the house light enough to sit in it. So, my bro is not allowed to sit in it.
Switched outlets often use only one of the two plug locations. Is there possibly a light switch in the room to activate that outlet? Sometimes more than one outlet is wired that way in a living room.

http://www.thecircuitdetective.com/outlet_tester_readings.htm
 
Switched outlets often use only one of the two plug locations. Is there possibly a light switch in the room to activate that outlet? Sometimes more than one outlet is wired that way in a living room.

http://www.thecircuitdetective.com/outlet_tester_readings.htm

The only light switch is on-- however, the wall itself is damaged bc the tenants kicked a hole in it-- it's currently covered with tape. It's in the area of the house where a whole bunch of electrical stuff isn't working. The porch light and the lights in the adjacent room nearby do not work. I suspect the wires are damaged from frequent power surges or even mice or other critters. Either that or something has come loose.

I did some dishes and cooked dinner but didn't do any other cleaning and I really need to, but for the most part I stayed under the covers bc it's freaking cold in here. My mother liked the corned beef hash & scrambled/over easy eggs enough that she didn't have any leftovers. (I scramble the whites and do the yolks over easy) It snowed last night. Schools and a lot of places were shut down bc we got 2" of snow. My internet went out last night and stayed out and power went out this morning until afternoon. The cats didn't want to get off of me and they are piled on me now.
 
2" is a Dusting ..:D I was in Texas once when they got 1" of snow . There were accidents just about every block ..

We have 70 trucks out tonight laying down brine . It is coming this way ..
 
Same here .. We get that heavy wet crap..
We do too if it snows. Once in a long while we get 3 to 6 inches. Most years if we get any, it's just enough to make the grass get 100% white, but not much more.
Problem here is wet heavy snow will bring down branches and the power goes out. Not a problem so much near or in town, but 3 to 5 miles away there are smaller two lane roads that head up the local rivers and hills so there are lots of trees along the road. If our wind didn't break off a dead branch, some heavy snow will.
 
I sorta scored at a pawn shop today. They had a Porter Cable router kit for $69. They had a pair of dial calipers for $22.
I asked if they would take $50 for the router............. facial expressions told me no ........ so I said how about $50 if I buy the calipers too. ($22)
So $72 later I walked out with the router, case , calipers and case.
The router is the same model Porter Cable router that I recently purchased new for $170.
Unlike the new router I bought, this one has the case, the plunge base, the standard base and a guide. That combo is at least $206 from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-693LRPK-Fixed-Router-Plunge/dp/B00006411C

The Chinese calipers can probably be purchased new for $30, but I still think I done good overall. Router sings like a brand new one and it's American made. Now I can leave one router in my router lift permanently instead of switching back and forth, and I have three bases.......... one standard base to use and abuse. An identical one to use on more delicate surfaces because it's plastic base is not scratched up, plus a plunge base and a plastic carrying case. Both routers have 1/4" and 1/2" collets
 
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