Looking to set up keyless locking device on shed door, something along lines of remote like used on roller door and actuator to operate mechanism on existing latch setup. Any ideas on what would be a good way to go about it? I think I have the mechanics sorted but been doing some searching on ebay and web and cant find suitable remote/ actuator.

Try using a car keyless locking setup, with an actuator and a rod from it.

Jaycar used to sell generic actuators and different rods to clamp to the existing rod in your car's locks. I suspect they don't sell them any more, but I am sure you will find them on ebay.

A friend of mine used a "special" garage door opener from bunnings which he adapted to operate a sliding gate. So a cheapie will do your job as all parts are included

Magnetically activated latch - simple & not reliant on electronics.

As spoken a central locking kit, 150mm of round steel, 2springs, 4screws, drill bits, 12volt transformer and/or 12v bike battery is all you need. Around $30-$60 depending how savy you are - ebay/shops/wreckers.

Main thing is you must place the actuator on the shed to lock a pin in place. Not on the handle as it will not lock the door.

Drawing up on A123d for you. Will post by 7 tonight.

A little crude but with a 2year old dancing on your lap makes things like this very interesting


Have no clue what equipment or skill level you have so I hope this helps. You could use a 12v solenoid as well, but it will add to the cost and a few more wiring issues to work out.

If you do go the solenoid (easier to lock) you could lock your self out, and where I wrote "weld round or flat steel you would need to make that added piece hinge up so as soon as you close the door it would slide/hinge past the new pin and auto lock.

I recently purchase as remote kit from Jaycar it works a treat.

Edit: You may already have this in mind

^^^ given his pic, isn't it easier to just put an actuator the the left of the pivot, to move the left side of the assembly up and down?

Done deal.

Would not lock Mark. A polarized central locking actuator has about 300-500grams of force approx.

Plenty to lift that up and down I'd have thought (as long as the shaft it pivots on is lubed).

If not strong enough, power window winder (but slooowwww)

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sotired said..
Try using a car keyless locking setup, with an actuator and a rod from it.

Jaycar used to sell generic actuators and different rods to clamp to the existing rod in your car's locks. I suspect they don't sell them any more, but I am sure you will find them on ebay.

I think that will work ^^^^^. 12volt transformer, auto car entry system - I wired up my car and it worked a treat, however I didn't need/buy the mechanical actuators - already had them. Cost me $15 on ebay. but I think it would work with a bit of gaffa/cable-ties and some imagination. The systems are available on ebay.

Can't begin to tell you how cool it is to press a button on your keyring to lock/unlock stuff, that used to require manual entry.

1. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Remote-Auto-Car-Control-Keyless-Entry-Central-Door-Lock-Locks-Locking-Kit-System-/121049222117?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item1c2f188be5

2. 12V transformer - I'm sure you have one lying around, doing nuthin

3. cable ties, gaffa, screws to secure actuator to locking mechanism.

Let us know how you get on - send us pics of your setup when it's done and dusted!

Mark - yes has enough power to move the lever but the actuator moves a locking mechanism to lock a car door.

Anyone could just turn the handle and you would be in the shed - hence the pin.

They way I showed actually locks the door with handle down and press the button, also unlocks door and opens handle with a press of a button.

aah gotcha

Thanks for the input, while contemplating the options I've rigged up a concealed mechanical / manual device, better than nothing and may do something different later. Spent a fair bit of time thinking about the magnet idea but the penny hasn't dropped yet, and the car keyless setup is a pretty obvious avenue. Don't want something that is mains power reliant though, already have a slide bolt to lock the door from the inside but were going to get caught out one day with a power outage and wont be able to get in through roller door. Here's a pic of the inside in the locked position, and the outside you've got to know where to look, no pic needed.

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pirrad said..
Don't want something that is mains power reliant though, already have a slide bolt to lock the door from the inside but were going to get caught out one day with a power outage and wont be able to get in through roller door.

Oh, so now you want keyless entry without mains power.

A 12 Volt deep cycle battery connected to solar panel could work, but would be a bit expensive?

What's wrong with a key if for whatever reason the mains power goes out?

Yea kinda scratching my head on this one aswell.

Always happy to help anyone about almost everything but I logically thought keyless entry required power either 12v battery hooked up to a 12v charger or even better as Oliver replied solar.



As some bumper stickers say "magic happens".

,http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/sliding-gate-motor there's your options a rack and pinion to open the door with a input/output Theses latches wont accommodate you existing setup. By the time you get it wired up you looking at 2 grand After that the thing hunk of **** will probally never work so add an another 2 grand over 5 years. If you go 12v solar power Its never going to function. Especially at night time when the 300 dollar battery is flat and theres no sun. youll be out there in your jocks in the rain being attacked by ants trying to declutch it with a key .
Don't kid yourself Automation makes things easier in the short term but by no means cheaper in the long run ! Your decision ,But you cant beat a 50$ lockwood. If the junkies\coons are still getting in Use a few lengths of 6mm flatbar and fortifly around it.


That manual device you have is the cheapest and most effective option with the least points of failure Why replace it?

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busterwa said..

That manual device you have is the cheapest and most effective option with the least points of failure Why replace it?

Because the OP is a troll

Another alternative is an innocuous small steel cable from opposite side of shed to operate unlocking lever. Simple effective does not rely on lectrickery

Don't make something that will lock you out permanently if it fails. You need an alternate mechanical way to open the door, even if it is just knowing where to poke a piece of wire in from outside to move the latch mechanism.

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Harrow said..
Don't make something that will lock you out permanently if it fails. You need an alternate mechanical way to open the door, even if it is just knowing where to poke a piece of wire in from outside to move the latch mechanism.

Refer to previous post /\

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Harrow said...
Don't make something that will lock you out permanently if it fails. You need an alternate mechanical way to open the door, even if it is just knowing where to poke a piece of wire in from outside to move the latch mechanism.

I don't mean to be condescending Harrow, but "permanently locked out"? Any metal-clad shed can be accessed in less than a minute with a battery drill and 'tek' bit. It cracks me up that people stress so much about security when a building that has any glazing or lightweight cladding can simply be accessed with either a $5 hammer or $20 battery drill. Sure - spend hours and $$$ on a 'trendy' and unique security system, anyone can get into most places in less than a minute if they look at the weakest point.