If you’re looking for a smart lock that you can control with Alexa (or Google Assistant) for a driveway, fence or pool gate you are in the right place.  This solution is great for anywhere you want to restrict access, but also want voice and remote control.

This Smart Gate Lock System is perfect for a variety of applications where access control is needed

• Back Yards
• Pools
• Play Grounds
• Tennis Courts
•  Boat Docks
• Gated Parking Lots

Pairing this gate lock with a smart doorbell is a great way to see who is there and control access all from your smart phone or and Echo Show or Dot.  Check out this article for my favorite smart doorbell.

It’s easy to find a lock for a fence or gate with a keypad, or hardwired button.

With so many household devices becoming “smart” you would think a smart gate lock would be easy to find.  Unfortunately, no one has created one yet, but you aren’t out of luck.

I have found a way using 2 products to have the ability to remotely control gate access with your smart phone or virtual assistant.

Here’s all you need:

1. Mighty Mule Bulldog Pedestrian Gate Lock
2. Z-Wave Relay module made by FortrezZ
3. Smart Home Hub

Update December 2018: I originally recommended the G0-Control relay module.  It seems to be unavailable so this article has been updated to use the FortrezZ MIMO Lite relay.   The information regarding setting up the Go-Control module can still be found at the end of this article.

How the Smart Gate Lock Works

The Bulldog gate lock includes a keypad that mounts outside the gate and a switch that looks like a garage door button that mounts inside the gate.

We will connect the Z-Wave relay to the same wires you connect the button to, this way the button and the relay can both activate the lock.

This gives you 3 ways to unlock the gate, the keypad, button or the Z-Wave Relay.  To use the relay, you will need a smart home hub that works with Z-Wave devices.

If you already have one great, if not, click here check out my review of the best smart home hub for Alexa.

Check out the Bulldog gate lock in action

Setting up the Gate Lock and Smart Relay

Installing the BullDog Lock (FM145)

Installing the gate lock is pretty simple.  The lock bolts to the gate, while a receiver attaches to the stationary part of the fence next to the gate.

Next, you will have to install the keypad on the outside of the gate.  This should be close because the time to open the gate can only be set between 1 and 9 seconds before it will lock again.  A wire connects the lock to the keypad.

The last step is to locate the button on the inside of the gate.  This could be mounted directly to the inside of the fence, or on a nearby building or post.  Remember you will be running a wire from the keypad to the button.  The 9-second time to open the gate applies to the button as well so don’t put it too far away.

Options for powering the Bulldog Lock

The Bulldog lock is powered by 4 AA batteries in the keypad.  Mighty Mule has 2 options if you don’t ever want to change batteries.  If you use either of the options below you need to use rechargeable batteries in the keypad.

• The first option is a power supply that plugs into a standard wall outlet. The downside of this option is if your gate isn’t close to an outlet you have a long wire to run between the power supply and the keypad.  See the power supply on Amazon

• The second option is a solar panel. If you get plenty of sunlight this is a great option.  See the solar panel kit on Amazon

You can download the Bulldog Pedestrian Gate Lock Installation Manual Here

Installing the FortrezZ MIMO Lite Relay

Powering the relay

The MIMO Lite has to be powered from a 12VDC power supply.  I suggest getting a power adapter that can be installed inside of a weatherproof enclosure.  This Joylit 5A power supply is inexpensive and has plenty of power.

Wiring the MIMO Lite

The relay module has 4 terminals you need to connect to for this application.

1. Power +
2. Power –
3. COM
4. NC

The power terminals are where you will connect the 12V power supply to power the relay.  You will have to cut the plug off the 12V power supply cable to attach the wires to the relay module.  The COM and NC terminals are the relay output to activate the gate lock.

The relay has a small jumper (P5) shown below in the wiring diagram.  This sets the mode of the relay to momentary, meaning it only turns on when you tell it to.  Or to Latching where it turns on and stays on until you tell it to turn off.  For our use we want to remove the jumper to use the relay in momentary mode.

Mounting the Contact Module

The relay and power supply need to be protected from the weather and the electrical connections should be made inside of a junction box.  If you use a weatherproof box you can locate it inside or outside.

When selecting a location consider that you need to connect a wire between the keypad and the module, but the module also needs to be in range of your smart home hub or another Z-Wave device.

This box is large enough to hold the module and power adapter,  it’s also made of plastic so it won’t interfere with the Z-Wave communication.

You can download the FortrezZ MIMI Lite Z-Wave Contact Module Installation Manual here

Wiring Diagram

Remote Control of the Gate Lock

All that’s left to do now is setup your smart gate lock.

First, link the relay module to your smart hub.  To link the module, press the button on the front and then add the device using your hubs app.  Name the module something like “Gate” or “Fence Lock”.

Next, open the Alexa app and search for new smart home devices, you should find the newly added gate lock module.

The last step is to create a routine in the Alexa app to unlock the Gate.

• Open the Alexa App, press the menu button and select Routines
• Press the + button to create a new routine
• Click the + next to “When this happens”
• Click “When you say something”
• Type “Unlock Gate” (or whatever you want to tell Alexa) and press save
• Click the + next to “add action”
• Press Smart Home
• Press Control Device
• Select the Gate Lock Module
• Select “Turn Off” and press Next
• Press Add
• Click the + again to add an action
• Click Smart Home
• Click Control Device
• Select the Gate Lock Module
• Select “Turn On” and press Next
• Press Add
• Press Create

Note: the off command is entered in the routine before the on command, but when you look at the routine the top command should show “turn on” then the command below will show “turn off”.  This allows the module to recreate the action of pressing and releasing the gate button.

You could also create the routine in your smart home controller and then just activate it from Alexa.  Just remember that you need to turn the relay module on and then back off again.

Wrap Up

While this isn’t a simple plug and play solution, it is the easiest option currently available to add both voice control and remote access control to a fence or gate.  When looking for a way to do this I discovered many DIY smart gate locks, but they all require circuit boards or fancy programming.  Connecting the system here is no harder than wiring a light switch, and the only “programming” involved is creating the routine in your Alexa app or smart home hub.

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Instruction for using the discontinued GoControl Relay

Below you  can find the original instruction using the GoControl Relay module.  If you have this relay, or if you find one here is how to set it up.

Installing the Go-Control Z-Wave Isolated Contact Module (FS20Z-1)

The Go-Control module is powered by 110 volts AC.  This can be hardwired into your home’s power or wired to a plug.

If you choose a plug something like this would work.

Wiring the Contact Module

The contact has 5 wires that need to be connected

1. Black Wire – Connect to 120VAC power (hot)
2. White Wire – Connect to 120VAC neutral
3. 2x Blue Wires – Connect to “Push Button” terminal on lock keypad
4. Green Wire – Connect to ground

Here’s a diagram to help you get it wired (G0-Control Gate Lock Wiring Diagram)

If you install this system, please leave a comment below with any tips or advice you have for someone else.

Thanks for reading and enjoy living high tech.

Jason