Electric Gate solar power system sizing

[lobosurf5]

Hello:

I currently have an electric sliding gate with the following specs:
Hp = 1/2
Volts = 120
Ph = 1
AMPS = 5
Control circuit = 24
60Hertz

The gate takes 24 seconds to open and an additional 24 to close, rounding it up to 1 minute cycle time. On a worse case scenario the gate is cycled 8 times a day. Power grid sometimes goes out (especially when its raining) forcing to use the disable mechanism on the gate. This is kind of hard for the wife especially if its raining. We've decided to look into installing a small off grid solar system just for the gate. I believe to need the following:
Solar Panel (watts ???)
Charge Controler (PWM or MPPT???)
Inverter ( 5 amps * 120v = 600 watts (for gate) so im guessing 700-800 watt inverter) Is this the correct calculation?
Pure Sine wave or Modified Sine wave?
battery (cant figure out what size)

I would like the battery to power the system for at least 2 days (16 cycles) with no sun for recharging. The system would be located at zip code 00778. Any information on how to size this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[Sunking]

If it already has commercial power then you have no need for solar, just use a battery on a charger. That will save you a lot of money and work far better. Get yourself a good 12 volt 100 AH AGM battery.

[lobosurf5]

If it already has commercial power then you have no need for solar, just use a battery on a charger. That will save you a lot of money and work far better. Get yourself a good 12 volt 100 AH AGM battery.

So how would the set be... Commercial power --> charger--> battery--> inverter--> gate opener ? If this where the case I'm only saving money on the panel which would help if power where out to recharge battery.

What charge would you recommend? How long would a 100 ah last for the gate opener (approx.) Would like to explore this alternative

[Sunking]

So how would the set be... Commercial power --> charger--> battery--> inverter--> gate opener ? If this where the case I'm only saving money on the panel which would help if power where out to recharge battery.

Yes. The battery will last for a week.. You are not going to be able to skimp on battery because of the rather large load of the gate motor. At the 600 watts you claim will take some 60 to 70 amps from a 12 volt battery. Therefore if you were to use say a 12 volt 100 AH Flooded lead acid battery, the voltage would collapse and trip the inverter off-line.

To minimize battery size will force you to use an AGM battery that can deliver a lot of current like an Optima Yellow Top D31A battery which is actually a 75 AH AGM battery

What charge would you recommend? How long would a 100 ah last for the gate opener (approx.) Would like to explore this alternative

A charger like this one. A good 12 volt 100 AH AGM battery should be good for about 30 to 50 gate operations based on the info you provided.

[lobosurf5]

Yes. The battery will last for a week.. You are not going to be able to skimp on battery because of the rather large load of the gate motor. At the 600 watts you claim will take some 60 to 70 amps from a 12 volt battery. Therefore if you were to use say a 12 volt 100 AH Flooded lead acid battery, the voltage would collapse and trip the inverter off-line.

To minimize battery size will force you to use an AGM battery that can deliver a lot of current like an Optima Yellow Top D31A battery which is actually a 75 AH AGM battery

A charger like this one. A good 12 volt 100 AH AGM battery should be good for about 30 to 50 gate operations based on the info you provided.

For this type of setup, would it be best to use a Pure Sine Wave inverter or would a modified sine wave inverter do the job?

[inetdog]

For this type of setup, would it be best to use a Pure Sine Wave inverter or would a modified sine wave inverter do the job?

A sliding gate is likely to be using a geared AC motor rather than a (probably DC) linear actuator like a swinging gate. The general rule is that AC motors will work much better and live longer with a PSW inverter instead of a Modified Square Wave.