A Locksmith Ledger reader contacted us for some troubleshooting help with his solar powered gate lock. While providing him some technical support, we thought we could also discuss some basics on specifying and troubleshooting solar powered security for the rest of our readers.
We see a growing number of solar collectors; they are found operating traffic monitoring control devices, on roofs, along the highways, and at the entrances to commercial and residential property.
For strategic deployments which are time sensitive or for gate operators/ surveillance cameras which are cost sensitive, solar power saves the time and eliminates the costs to bring line voltage to the critical location.
Unlike scientific calculators and other solar toys, gate operators and surveillance equipment do not literally run off the power generated by the solar panels. They instead run off batteries which are charged by the solar panels.
This same technique is employed by some PoE switching PSUs where the battery in the PSU provides the voltage and current to the load and the PoE charges the battery.
In conventional analog PSUs, the battery only kicked in when line voltage to the PSU was interrupted, or if the demand placed on the PSU exceeded the power supply rating, such as to supply the inrush demand to actuate and electric strike.
Therefore the solar collectors must be able to replenish the batteries within the duty cycle of your system. Consideration must be given to how much power the equipment draws and the ability of the battery to recharge and deliver consistent power.
Solar powered systems are comprised of the following components:
- Solar Collector (Panel): Used to collect energy from the sun to charge the battery. The solar panels don’t typically power the load since that would mean the system would not operate in the absence of sunlight.
- Charger/Regulator: Interfaces the solar panel, the battery and the load devices to condition the solar power collected, charge the battery, provide the connection points for the station controls and load and prevent the battery from over-charging, over-discharging or reverse discharging to solar panel.
- Rechargeable battery: Stores the solar energy and provides power output as long as its charge persists.
The types of battery generally used for solar powered applications depend upon Station controls (keypads, readers, switches, radio controls etc.) and the load being powered (a gate operator, electric lock, camera, etc,).
This set up is a balanced system where you select a battery whose capacity when fully charged will comfortably operate your system for a defined period of time, then specify enough solar collectors to provide for recharging in as short a period of time as the budget will allow.
It is obvious that solar will not work out for every situation, but it should for many. You must be in a region where there
Is adequate sunlight and the solar detector must be properly aligned.
For example if you put a gate operator on a residence where the gate will typically cycle three of four times a day, and you select a battery large enough to operate the gate for a week before requiring a recharge, your system is likely to meet the client’s expectations.
DoorKing offers solar powered gate operators to the professional installer, and their website, www.doorking.com, has full documentation for their solar equipment. Included are the procedures for selecting the correct components based on the power requirements for the particular gate operator, the anticipated duty cycle for the gate operator system, and the geographic location of the installation. The fine tuning of the solar panel is based upon (among other things) the latitude and longitude of the installation site
You probably have heard the term insulation which refers to the coating placed on wire to prevent shocks and short circuits. Of course insulation is also used to provide thermal protection for homes and pipes and vehicles.
But here is a new term to add to your vernacular: Insolation.
Insolation is the solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface. The unit of measurement of insolation is
kilowatt-hours per square meter per day (kW·h/(m²·day)).
Insolation affects temperature.
The more the insolation, the higher the temperature.
In any given day, the strongest insolation is received at noon. The factors affect insolation in addition to earth’s atmosphere include:
Angle of the sun
Distance between the sun and the earth
Duration of daylight
The longer the duration of daylight, the more the insolation received per day.
Here are some of the solar-powered products on the market.
BPSS Solar Power Supply
ASSA ABLOY Electronic Security Hardware's Securitron BPSS is capable of powering most any single point access control device and fail secure lock (intermittent duty only) using sustainable solar and battery operated power. The BPSS is an out-of-the-box solution specifically designed for remote electric lock control. Select the BPSS-10 or BPSS-20 (10 or 20 charging Watts respectively) based on the solar activity in the area/region where installed.
Product Features
- Remote electronic locking of gates and out buildings
- Works with most fail secure electric locks
- Works with most keypad or card readers
- Available in 10W and 20W versions
- Outdoor Operation
- 100 percent Solid State Solar Controller
- Low voltage battery monitor to protect batteries from deep discharge
- Includes mounting brackets for power supply enclosure and solar panel
- Optional mounting brackets available to mount power supply enclosure to 3" diameter pole
- Optional solar wind kit available for high wind areas
- SecuriCare 3-year, no fault warranty
Specifications:
- Enclosure dimensions: Outdoor (NEMA-3R) - 12-1/2" x 13-5/8" x 4-7/16"
- Standard Enclosure Brackets: Accommodates up to 2" diameter pole/post
- Operating Temperature: -4 to +113F [-20 to +45C]
- Power Supply Output: Maximum 125mA continuous; 450mA maximum operating the locking device - intermittent duty only. Number of daily lock operations will vary due to solar activity and current draw
BPSS-10 Solar Panel dimensions are 14.5" x 12.2" x .7". Rated Power is 10 Watts and panel weight is 3.3 pounds. The larger BPSS-20 Solar Panel's dimensions are 22" x 14.2" x .7". Rated Power is 20 Watts and panel weight is 5.5 pounds.
Panel Mounting Brackets accommodate up to 2" diameter pole/post. Panel(s) Operating Temperature is between-40 to +185F [-40 to +85C]. Panels are high-efficiency photovoltaic modules using silicon nitride multicrystalline cells
More Information: https://www.assaabloyesh.com/en/local/assaabloyeshcom/products/power/power-supplies/solar-power-supplies/securitron-bpss/
DoorKing 9064
The DoorKing 9024 vehicular slide gate operator can run exclusively on AC power with battery backup, or solely on solar power. This is a great option where backup power is critical, as it’s designed to keep running when AC power has been lost. The solar power version is ideal in applications where AC power is unavailable, with the option to add your own solar system for power, or you can use the DKS solar kit.
The DKS 9024 DC Slide Gate Operator offers powerful, yet safe, multifunctional operation all in a small, compact design – ideally suited for residential or commercial applications.
It keeps running when AC power has been lost. The solar power version is ideal in applications where AC power is unavailable and allows you to add your own solar system for power, or you can choose the DKS solar kit.
The 1/2 HP Quadra Drive DC Motor provides powerful and long lasting operation and is backed up with built-in 7.2 Ah batteries to provide operation if AC power is interrupted. For longer backup operation, optional 18 Ah batteries can be chosen for up to 150 gate cycles*.
The 9024 features a belt drive/30:1 gear-box reduction system to provide powerful, yet extremely quiet, slide gate operation. Designed with versatility in mind, the 9024 uses an advanced microprocessor control circuit with outstanding features.
Features include:
• 115/230 VAC (switch selectable) or 24 VDC Solar Power
• 1/2 HP Quadra Drive Heavy-duty DC Motor
• Adjustable limit nuts for precise gate limit control
• Easy to use manual T-handle release
• Heavy-duty gearbox
• 0.0 Amp SBPD Circuit (solar power only)
• Solar power ready
• Pad or post mount
• Heavy-duty steel frame
• 5-year limited warranty
MAXIMUM CYCLES
Continuous with AC source power
40 with 7.2Ah backup battery
150 with 18Ah backup battery
Another option from DoorKing is the DoorKing 6524 Swing Gate Operator. The solar power version is ideal in applications where AC power is unavailable, allowing you to add your own solar system for power, or you can choose the DKS solar kit. Like the above model, it has a small, compact design, and is ideally suited for residential or commercial applications.
The 6524 features a pully/belt drive 60:1 worm gear-box reduction system to provide powerful, yet extremely quiet, slide gate operation. The 6524 uses an advanced microprocessor control circuit with outstanding features.
• Operator is 24 Volt DC and includes built-in battery backup
• 115/230 VAC (switch selectable) or 24 VDC Solar Power
• 1/2 HP Quadra Drive Heavy-duty DC motor
• Split housing allows easy access without having to remove the gate arm!
• Easy to adjust electronic magnetic limits eliminate old style mechanical switches that can wear out, break or fail
• Heavy-duty steel frame
• 0.0 Amp SBPD Circuit (solar power only)
• Solar power ready
• 5-year limited warranty
MAXIMUM CYCLES:
Continuous with AC source power
40 with 7.2Ah backup battery
150 with 18Ah backup battery
Mighty Mule
Gates That Open, LLC designs and manufacturer of the Mighty Mule®, GTO/PRO, and GTO Access Systems brands of gate operators and access controls. Mighty Mule gate openers are designed for home, ranch, industrial and light professional applications and are marketed to DIY’ers.
All GTO gate operators meet and exceed all national and federal safety standards, and are certified and listed to be in compliance with UL325, Latest Edition.
The MM260 - Single Swing Gate Opener features Mighty Mule's Dual Sense Technology that meets UL325 6th Edition Standards. It is designed for gates up to 12 ft (3.7 m) long or 300 lbs (136.1 kg)
The gate can be operated with or solar power. It works with an automotive or marine battery (not included) which optimizes performance in cold weather
Kit Contents: Mounting hardware, transformer, transmitter, installation manual and DVD, opener arm, and control box with built-in receiver.
The FM123 - 10-Watt Solar Panel Kit is an excellent option to use as an alternative source that allows for increased power that maximizes sunlight for increased usage for your Mighty Mule or GTO/Pro Automatic Gate Opener.
Residential homeowners can qualify for an energy efficiency tax credit on an operator system, accessories and installation.
More Info: www.mightymule.com
