Activating gate sensor problem

[Ninja_Moose]

Do you guys know if there is a way to activate a gate sensor at an apartment complex with the Ninjette? Yesterday I was stuck at the gate waiting for a car to pull up behind me so that the gate would open .

[backinthesaddleagain]

Maybe they can reduce the threshold needed to activiate it. I hate sitting at a red light and its stuck on red as it doesn't sense the bike. Then a car pulls up behind, but being a good bike sensitive driver, they stay like 10 feet behind so the light still doesn't trigger until, I pull up further and they pull up or I wave them up.

[spooph]

Some complexes have garage door type remote that they can provide riders with. Check into it.

If they don't comply, a wireless angle grinder will eventually get you in....

[maviam1]

i had one of these when i lived in sparks, nv. the best i found was if you can see the lines cut into the pavement, try to make a tight turn over a couple of the lines. it worked for me. it just looks funny making a turn before leaving the gate. most of those type work on inductance, not on wieght. you have to be able to have enough mass over the rings to change the inductance and trip the sensor.

[Cuongism]

The majority of sensors I've seen are inductive coils, not weight. In San Diego, almost very street light has them.
I have gates too and this is what works for me. Look at the ground near the entrance. You should be able to see a rectangle where they cut into the ground. The inductive loops are set off by metal (changes in magnetism). What works for me is having my wheel right on either end of the rectangle. Also, it helps if you're moving (the sensor senses changes in magnetism).
They also sell earth magnets you can attach to your bike that will trigger them better (never used one so not sure if they work). Motorcycles have a lot less metal than cars so it also depends on the sensitivity of the inductive loops. If you were never able to open the gate, I would ask them to raise the threshold.

http://m.wikihow.com/Trigger-Green-Traffic-Lights

[tinng321]

Originally Posted by Cuongism

The majority of sensors I've seen are inductive coils, not weight. In San Diego, almost very street light has them.
I have gates too and this is what works for me. Look at the ground near the entrance. You should be able to see a rectangle where they cut into the ground. The inductive loops are set off by metal (changes in magnetism). What works for me is having my wheel right on either end of the rectangle. Also, it helps if you're moving (the sensor senses changes in magnetism).
They also sell earth magnets you can attach to your bike that will trigger them better (never used one so not sure if they work). Motorcycles have a lot less metal than cars so it also depends on the sensitivity of the inductive loops. If you were never able to open the gate, I would ask them to raise the threshold.

http://m.wikihow.com/Trigger-Green-Traffic-Lights

Thanks for the tips and link.
My house is on a corner lot. There's no one driving on the side street on the weekends. I usually make a right turn then a u-turn.

[Cuongism]

I put my front wheel right on edges of the rectangle.
They're not all going to be rectangles as well though. The majority of them here are circles (advantage is it detects more than one car) and at corners they're diagonal rhombi. Hope this works for you. I always find the edges most sensitive.

[backinthesaddleagain]

In MSF class instructor mentioned some type of magnet to mount on the lower part of the frame that would set off the coil???

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by spooph

Some complexes have garage door type remote that they can provide riders with. Check into it.

If they don't comply, a wireless angle grinder will eventually get you in....

haha, or a ramp and Evel Knievel it.

[Cuongism]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

In MSF class instructor mentioned some type of magnet to mount on the lower part of the frame that would set off the coil???

http://www.greenlightstuff.com/

It is also being sold at my local cycle gear (behind the counter though so you have to ask).

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Cuongism

http://www.greenlightstuff.com/

It is also being sold at my local cycle gear (behind the counter though so you have to ask).

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11414&

let us know if it works.

[Alex]

There have been threads here in the past saying that the magnets are useless, and don't provide nearly enough difference to affect the sensors. The tips here about where to place the front wheel and what areas to ride over seem more likely to have a direct impact. I haven't used the magnets, so can't comment on their efficacy myself.

EDIT: yup, kkim linked the first thread I was thinking about.

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by Cuongism

http://www.greenlightstuff.com/

It is also being sold at my local cycle gear (behind the counter though so you have to ask).

That's pretty cheap too I'll have to stop by at Cycle gear and ask (I love shopping there!).

[kkim]

I've also heard putting the kickstand down on the sensor helps (haven't done that one, myself) or hitting the starter button to make the starter motor inductance help the detector "see" your bike.

[Blackwidow]

aren't apartment gate sensors different then the street light sensors?

[backinthesaddleagain]

But woudn't jumping the gate make one heck of an arrival and exit?

[sixer]

yeah the cycle gear red light tripper works- (gotta stay left on the sensor) But not for housing complex gates - atleast not for my buddy whos complex i visit...

I recomend the cycle gear one for the street- atleast fer cali.

[Cuongism]

Sorry, I actually don't use one. Once I figured out where to stop, I'm golden. To exit my complex, I don't need a remote, but to enter my complex I have to land correctly while pressing the button. I think there's some law where you shouldn't be required to need something to exit an area.

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by Cuongism

I think there's some law where you shouldn't be required to need something to exit an area.

That's interesting. I lived in a complex before that had a gated parking lot and in order to open/close the gates we had an actual transponder thingy to wave in front of the receiver placed by the gate... That was for in OR out.

[tinng321]

Originally Posted by kkim

I've also heard putting the kickstand down on the sensor helps (haven't done that one, myself) or hitting the starter button to make the starter motor inductance help the detector "see" your bike.

Tried this earlier. It didn't help. Waited, waited and waited till a car pull up. I didn't see any rectangle or circle, just patched up cracks.

[Cuongism]

Originally Posted by Rosie

That's interesting. I lived in a complex before that had a gated parking lot and in order to open/close the gates we had an actual transponder thingy to wave in front of the receiver placed by the gate... That was for in OR out.

Yea, I never looked it up, but the explanation I was given made sense. If there was an emergency (most likely fire), people should be able to exit without our remotes in case we forget back in our apts (and can't run back in case of said fire).
I think the term they used was involuntary imprisonment. We're protected from people trying to get in, not people leaving. I used to use my remote to leave as well until other residents told me it was unnecessary. It can be that all our exits are gated including the pedestrian ones.

[Ninja_Moose]

Thanks for the tips guys. I located the sensors and there are two in front of the gate (to exit the complex). I tried rolling back and fourth on the sensors, placed my front wheels on the edges of the sensors, and turned off and started my Ninjette and still wouldn't open the gate.

I need to try weaving next time, hopefully I can find a way out without waiting for a car. I did see another bike leaving the complex through a side gate though, not quite sure how he activated the gate.

[kkim]

have you spoken to the apt housing manager about the problem?

[Ninja_Moose]

I haven't talked to the managers, but I did find a way to activate the gate. There are two sensors in front of the gate and I needed to cover the length of the sensor with the bike and it will open. Thanks for the help guys!

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Moose

I did find a way to activate the gate. There are two sensors in front of the gate and I needed to cover the length of the sensor with the bike and it will open.

cool...