(quoted from post at 01:32:57 02/22/15)
(quoted from post at 19:23:55 02/21/15) Doorbell with a wireless button.
Hook up the doorbell with a 12 volt battery. Wire in the remote button. Hook up the doorbell striker so instead of chiming, it releases the gate. Done.
The RC airplane controler and servo is a little slicker though in my mind but it would be all DIY. With a wireless doorbell, most of its done for you.
Too bad you live so far out, I know here the local RC club would likely help with this project just to see if they could do it. Just show up on a flying Sunday and they would help you out. Good luck, let us know what you end up doing.
I think only a starter solenoid that pulls normally the starter drive in the ring gear has enough power to release a catch on a rod that is holding a 16 x 7' heavy wooden gate 1/3 to 1/2 ways open that is loaded down against the catch with a heavy 50 lb weight hanging on a rope so as to close fast after release of the catch.
Nah, it will work no problem. The doorbell solenoid is not closing the gate, its only acting as a trigger to allow it to close. The gate closing you have to design so it springs shut. It wont matter WHAT you use as a trigger, doorbell, RC servo or even a 400 foot string, those only release the gate that you made so all would close the gate the same.
As for the doorbell solenoid having enough power, you wouldnt use it as a direct release, use it to hit a lever that releases the gate. Look at a gun, the firing pin spring is very, very heavy but trigger pull is measured in low pounds, sometimes ounces. You are using leverage to release a sear that fires the gun. You set up your gate the same way, doorbell or whatever triggers the sear on the gate, gate slams shut.
There is a small difference in how a RC servo would work and how a doorbell would work: Doorbell is a little hammer that springs out and rings a bell, in your use it would flick the sear on the gate. If by chance the doorbell is not strong enough, hit the button again and again, it will hammer till the gate closes. With a RC servo, if its not strong enough, it will dead head and not move, no second chances and you have to trap the bugger a different day.
(quoted from post at 01:32:57 02/22/15) It has to be fast cause you would not believe the speed and power a nervous bison can develop in a split second when he feels his/her way out is being compromised.
It will be as fast as you make it, thats all you and will be the same no matter weather its a doorbell, RC servo or a long string.
(quoted from post at 01:32:57 02/22/15)
I have watched a big bull walk right trough an almost solid 14' long 7' high 10" by 2" planked gate that was doubled up in mid section to 4' thick.
I have an other 10' long steel gate made with eight 2' pipe bars and fully covered with a thick rubber slab in my handling system that has a 2' bend in it from a bull that turned around 40 feet from the gate planning to excite the system when i managed to throw the gate closed just ahead of him, he actually closed it himself,..i was afraid he would not stop at all.
The more you talk about these animals, Im thinking a 30.06 would be best....
(quoted from post at 01:32:57 02/22/15) the things i need is a sender and receiver that can close a 12v relay to activate the solenoid.
The sender has to be able to reach at least 5-600 feet.
I wonder if a RC controller has that capasity ?
I think the RC servos will work at that distance, if not close to it. If it dont, you can always put an antenna up higher at both the house and the pen. All the metal gates and fencing may block the signal, just raising an antenna may help alot. I will ask the guy at work if I see him this week, he is huge into planes, has a dozen I bet. He would know for sure.