FAQ
TL;DR: For 30 cm posts, "standard ones might be too short" [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825]; underground drives open at 6°/s (~15–20 s to 90°) [Elektroda, Felini, post #17493733] Pick a long‑stroke (≈400–500 mm) screw kit within a ~PLN 2,000 kit-only budget [Elektroda, -klimek-, post #17493743]
Why it matters: This helps owners of double‑leaf gates pick a drive that fits thick posts and avoids painfully slow operation.
Quick Facts
- Geometry here: 185 cm wing, 30 cm post, 6 cm hinge setback; thicker posts push you to longer strokes [Elektroda, -klimek-, #17493656; Elektroda, kotbury, #17493825].
- Speed: Underground example is 6°/s → ~15–20 s for 90° [Elektroda, Felini, post #17493733] OP’s old unit took 100 s (~0.9°/s) [Elektroda, -klimek-, post #17493656]
- Costs (installed): Underground ≈ PLN 7,000 hardware, ≈ PLN 9,000 total; tubular screw ≈ PLN 2,500–3,000 [Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17532096].
- Stroke options cited: FAAC 414 long ≈ 500 mm; FAAC S418 and GENIUS G‑BAT 300 ≈ 400 mm; BFT Kustos A25 = 295 mm, A40 = 355 mm [Elektroda, kotbury, #17493825; Elektroda, Marek J., #17509638].
- Fit note: A 400 mm stroke "may be too little" without post undercut on 30 cm posts [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749].
What’s the best drive for a 185 cm double‑leaf gate with 30 cm posts?
Choose a long‑stroke screw actuator. For this geometry, standard units can be too short [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825] FAAC 414 long (~500 mm stroke) fits but works near full extension, so mount carefully [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825] FAAC S418 and GENIUS G‑BAT 300 (~400 mm) can work but are tighter on clearance [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825] BFT Kustos (295/355 mm) does not meet the author’s parameters here [Elektroda, Marek J., #17509638; Elektroda, Marek J., #17511062].
Will FAAC 414 actuators be too long for my gate?
No. With 30 cm posts, the long 414 is appropriate and may approach 100% extension [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825] Keep A and B mounting dimensions similar for smooth operation [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073]. If geometry forces the arm short, a 400 mm stroke may be insufficient without post undercutting [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749].
Is BFT Kustos a good match here?
Not for this geometry. Kustos A25 has a 295 mm stroke, and A40 has 355 mm [Elektroda, Marek J., #17509638]. The expert reply confirms it does not match the author’s parameters (“Exactly…”) [Elektroda, Marek J., #17511062].
FAAC S418 vs. GENIUS G‑BAT 300 vs. FAAC 414: which one fits thick posts better?
For 30 cm posts, go longest stroke first. FAAC 414 long (~500 mm) suits better when A≈B is needed [Elektroda, kotbury, #17493825; Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073]. S418 and G‑BAT 300 (~400 mm) can close, but geometry is tighter [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825]
How fast can I expect the gate to open?
An underground Tousek example achieves 6°/s, or ~15–20 s to 90° [Elektroda, Felini, post #17493733] Your previous unit took 1 min 40 s for 90°, about 0.9°/s [Elektroda, -klimek-, post #17493656] Speed depends on actuator type and geometry [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825]
Can I keep the full project under PLN 2,000?
Kit‑only may approach that, but installed totals run higher. Typical tubular screw installs cost ~PLN 2,500–3,000 with wiring [Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17532096]. Underground systems are ~PLN 7,000 hardware and ~PLN 9,000 installed [Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17532096].
Which mounting dimensions matter most (A and B), and why?
Keep A similar to B for correct kinematics and force distribution [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073]. Quote: “A dimension should be similar to B dimension” [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073]. If they differ, wear increases and end travel can bind [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073; Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749].
How do I check if a 400 mm stroke is enough on 30 cm posts?
- Measure A (hinge–post mount) and B (leaf mount–hinge) on paper or wood templates [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073].
- Mock the actuator length through the arc to 90° [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749].
- If the arm reaches end of stroke early, undercut the post or choose longer stroke [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749].
Do I need to shorten brackets or undercut the post?
Often yes on thick posts. Shorten the post‑side handle so it clears the corner during swing [Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17534174]. If 400 mm stroke still falls short, undercutting the post may be necessary [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749].
Are underground drives worth it for this case?
They hide moving parts and resist damage or theft [Elektroda, Felini, post #17493733] They are faster in the cited example (6°/s), but cost ~PLN 7,000 hardware and ~PLN 9,000 installed [Elektroda, Felini, #17493733; Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17532096]. Your budget is ~PLN 2,000, so they exceed it [Elektroda, -klimek-, post #17493743]
What causes slow or failure‑prone operation on thick posts?
Using too short a stroke for the geometry is a prime cause [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749]. Mismatched A and B increases stress and binding at limits [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073]. A guardrail: “standard ones might be too short” for this gate [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825]
Is “any tube with ≥400 mm stroke” acceptable here?
As a rule of thumb, yes, but verify geometry. One expert says any tube with ≥400 mm stroke can work [Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17532096]. Another warns 400 mm may still be too little without post undercut [Elektroda, Marek J., #17532749]. Test fit before drilling.
How can I avoid another painfully slow drive like my old one?
Select a system with adequate speed and correct geometry. Your old unit took ~100 s to open 90° [Elektroda, -klimek-, post #17493656] The cited underground option does 15–20 s; long‑stroke screw kits with proper A≈B also improve efficiency [Elektroda, Felini, #17493733; Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073].
Final pick: FAAC S418, FAAC 414, or GENIUS G‑BAT 300 for this gate?
FAAC 414 long gets the nod due to longer stroke and thick posts [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825] S418 and G‑BAT 300 can work with ≈400 mm stroke, but clearance is tighter [Elektroda, kotbury, post #17493825] Ensure A≈B and adjust brackets for smooth travel [Elektroda, Marek J., #17533073; Elektroda, andrzej lukaszewicz, #17534174].
