outdoor padlock for side gates

[fun4k]

Hello, I'm looking for what I guess you'd call a "smart" padlock for the side gates. Basically what I'd like: I have someone coming to do some work out back. They arrive, knock at the front door. I have a remote or an app and I just push a button and the padlock unlocks, letting him in and when he leaves he just locks it behind him on the way out. I don't need or want half a dozen ways to open the lock, just the ability to unlock from a distance with a remote, like a garage door opener. No keypad or codes to punch in, no key or fob, no fingerprint reader.

Is there an effective, affordable option like what I'm describing available that anyone can suggest? Something that will hold up to the weather -- alot of them I've come across apparently die, stop working after a few months. Any suggestions much appreciated!

[stratmando]

Many Options, Network Relays….. An Easy Way Just Popped In My Head Is Use A Amazon Receptacle Switched, Can Turn On And Off By Phone, Have It Apply Power To DC Transformer, Then An Electric Strike, Can Be Battery Powered, And Backed Up, A Lot Depends What You Have Available?

[stratmando]

Just To Clear Up, The Amazon Switch Can Not Be Battery Backed Up, Other Method Can You Say What You Can Get To Gate? A Pair Of Wires For Strike?, A Network Wire? AC? Electric Gate Nearby?

[demux]

I'm not aware of any padlock that can be operated by a mechanism like the one you describe, and I'm not sure if OP has the desire to change the gate hardware to something that could interact with an electrified strike. It may, however, be possible to find a smart key box that can be remotely operated like you describe, and then just put a chained key for the padlock in that box.

[fun4k]

Hmmm... I honestly thought I would receive email notifications if anyone replied, and I haven't recieved any. I am surprised to see 3 replies have been posted, so thank you for the replies and my apologies for not having responded to them. I am lucky to have stopped by on a whim today, must look at my settings to see why no notifications came through.

The first two replies -- I'm afraid I don't understand most of what is being said there... but it sounds like it may not be applicable to the situation here. Our side gates are pretty basic gates with chain link fencing, the "U" shaped thing that drops down around the round metal post that holds the gate shut and the hole for a padlock, which is positioned to prevent the "U" shaped metal piece from moving off the round metal post, thus preventing the gate from being opened. So it's only really designed for a padlock to lock the gate. Haven't gone to research some of the things mentioned, like network relay, receptacle switch, electric strike... I have no idea what any of those things mean but I'm guessing they're applicable to a much more complex situation than ours is.

The last one, so a key box where the key is on a chain in a locked box that can be opened remotely? That is an intriguing idea I'd never considered. Is there a "smart key box" you would suggest looking at? I'll go do a search.... but first, must figure out my forum settings so I get notifications of new replies....

[fun4k]

please disregard, my mistake. I'm afraid my mind may be slipping off its rails...

[demux]

The last one, so a key box where the key is on a chain in a locked box that can be opened remotely? That is an intriguing idea I'd never considered. Is there a "smart key box" you would suggest looking at? I'll go do a search.... but first, must figure out my forum settings so I get notifications of new replies....

Yep that's what I was thinking. I haven't personally used one before, but a quick web search found this one:
https://www.nusetlock.com/collections/w ... ducts/7030

and I have used other models from that company before, and found them to be fairly well built and very functional (they can eat batteries pretty quickly. so you might want to also pick up a few rechargeable ones).