Is there any devise that can be put or a door or a gate so that I know that it's open? Like for exapmle, we have a dog and she goes out into a fenced off area and some times we leave the gate open by mistae and we don't know that it is open or closed. It would be really nice to let us know if it is safe for her to go out or not. Any ideas so we don't make the same mistake again?

Almost way to simple, but depends on how close the gate is to where you need the signal. How handy are you on putting together a simple, low voltage circuit.

Radio Shack is a good source of supplies. First you need to attached a "Magnetic Reed" switch to a stationary part of the gate and the magnet part to the gate it self. When to gate is closed, the magnet causes the reed switch to open. You may need to adjust the distance between the magnet and the switch to get it work just right.

Next you need to run a pair of wires from that switch to the point where you want the signal light. Then run a pair of wires to you door bell transformer. As these are low voltage so there will no problems running this. Around 16 volts. You can use "bell wire" or even speaker wire from The Shack.

Mount a 16-24 volt pilot lamp near you door and connect in the following manor.

1 wire from the transformer to the gate switch then to the lamp. Another wire directly from the transformer to the lamp.

Trans--switch--light--back to the other pole on the trans.

When gate is open, the reed switch will close completeing the circuit and the light will come on.

Close the gate, the circuit will open and the light will go off.

No transformer, then use a 6 volt lantern battery and a 6 volt pilot lamp. Remember, the brighter the light you use here, the shorter the life on the battery. If I was building it, I would use a small, LED light and battery like from one of those cheap flashlites. Be careful, LED only need a very low, DC voltage to operate. Over voltage and poof.

There will be no polarity problems unless you are using an LED light.

Just be careful that your dog does not learn how to open the gate. Don't laugh, mine did. "I was sure I closed that gate."

Welcome to the Pool fellow Clevelander. Have a problem with this, let me know. E-dress listed in my profile.

Hey Walks on Water: It's nice to meet up with a fellow Clevelander. Anyways, are your sure there is not like a store bought/First Alert type things that you can use on your windows and doors if there open it makes an alarm sound or any thing if that nature? It would be alot easier. I have a metal fence. I could send a pic of it if that would help. The door is 20 feet away and it is not in plain sight of our door where we let the dog out or any where elce in that matter. Any other tips?

Doug, I'm not a Home Improvement Expert like WoW , but do you think something like - this programmable gate alarm - would meet your needs?

You could order it from that website, or see if any home improvement stores near you carry something similar.

Um, it might work. Any thing smaller?

I haven't seen any smaller gate alarms, either in person or through an Internet search.

Personally, I think that would be ideal for your purpose, but you could always check in your local stores for smaller ones.

The problem with these alarms is they are audible. I don't think your neighbors will like this alarm going off 24/7 if you leave the gate open.

Have you considered spring-loaded hinges or other means of making the gate self-closing, so that itd normal condition is closed?

quote:

Originally posted by frankvan:
Have you considered spring-loaded hinges or other means of making the gate self-closing, so that itd normal condition is closed?

Good idea.