Automatic Gate Opener

Shimon · Sep 24, 2005

I have a 14' galvanized tube farm gate that swings open and I would like to put one of those automatic gate openers that you can control with a transmitter (like a garage door opener).

Doing a search on the net, it seem the most common one is the Mighty Mule. Anyone have one of these? It seems most of these run off a 12v DC motor and then have a transformer to charge the DC battery. Do they make an AC powered gate opener? Are these Mighty Mule openers any good? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

midlf · Sep 24, 2005

One question: do you get snow in your area of WA? Around her (WI) swing gates are not practical. Most use sliders, some tilt ups.

Shimon · Sep 24, 2005

( One question: do you get snow in your area of WA? Around her (WI) swing gates are not practical. Most use sliders, some tilt ups. )

Good point. We do get some snow but it usually doesn't stay around that long. What we would call a big snow around here you would would probably consider a "dusting".

I don't have the room for a slider plus the gate is already there and if I need to clear some snow a couple of times of year...no big deal...I'll just send the wife out there with her trusty shovel. She's good that way.

YanmarFever · Sep 25, 2005

I have a mighty mule opener, its 5 yrs. old & works great, our gate weighs 450 lbs. (ornamental iron).
I would buy another in a heart beat.
Ernie
In Oregon
Where in WA. are you ?

Shimon · Sep 25, 2005

( I have a mighty mule opener, its 5 yrs. old & works great )

Thanks for the input. Sure helps.

( Where in WA. are you ? )

I'm about 6 miles north of Sedro-Woolley (actually the "area" is called Prairie but I don't think anyone remembers the name). Kind of between Mt. Vernon and Bellingham.

Unclebuck257 · Sep 25, 2005

We have double gates at our main entrance to "our place". We also have Mighty Mule openers and for the most part are very satisfied. One thing I'd suggest that you change, from the very beginning is NOT to use their smaller battery. When you buy yours, buy the DOUBLE solar panel chargers and also wire it into a full sized, 12v, Marine battery. You can buy a Marine battery at Wal Mart, with the plastic cases they sell for them too, and come out WAY AHEAD money wise, and your gate (s) will open even if you have several cloudy days in a row, with several trips in and out each day. We went through two of those little batteries that fit into the Mighty Mule control box until I got smart to this whole deal! Now, we have no battery going dead and haven't since I switched to the Marine Battery.

Shimon · Sep 25, 2005

Thanks. So it sound like you run yours completely on battery and solar power.

I plan to install a GFCI outlet near the gate so I will run the AC charger on the battery (and I plan to install a backup genset if power goes out). Although I do have access to lots of used batteries which are in great shape (Optimas, 4Ds, 8Ds, 6v golf carts, AGMs) which I can always install if I find the little brick battery to be inadequate.

I can't tell from th photos I've seen on the net...but I assume there is a control box that holds the battery. Is that right?

Also, for the FM500 does anyone know approx how long it takes for the gate to open? I thought I read somewhere (but I can't find it now) that it takes about 20 seconds. Sound about right?

Unclebuck257 · Sep 26, 2005

Shimon,

They run on a 12v system.

Yes, there is a control box in which all the wiring goes through and in which you hook up whatever accessories you plan to use too, ie; auto exit opener etc. Be careful with an auto exit opener though as I had to disconnect ours. Severe T-Strms here in Texas with lightening strikes would open it. Also, horses with shoes on can open it too.

As far as how long it takes to open, that depends opn your gate weight, but both of ours open in quicker than 20 seconds. You set the time you want them to stay open too. Ours are set at 17 seconds to allow for stock trailer in and out when needed.

greatrandini · Sep 26, 2005

Some folks not too far me were worried about security so they installed a driveway gate with auto opener. Someone stole the auto opener. I chuckled when I was told the story but I really felt for them.....

Unclebuck257 · Sep 26, 2005

The auto opener is put in the ground on the inside of your property, about 25 feet from the gated entrance and is for the convienence of any guests you might have, when they go to leave. As owner, you have your "clickers" to open the gate coming or going. With a stolen auto opener, those theives still couldn't get into their property since in order to work, the auto opener must be WIRED into the control box. It doesn't function like a clicker opener, thru the air to an antenna. It did the theives no good to steal it, if they wanted to use it to get into the neighbor's place. Even with a stolen clicker opener, all you have to do is simply change the internal code in the control box and match it in another clicker and the stolen clicker wouldn't work worth a flip!!

MarkLeininger · Sep 27, 2005

I had one at my old house on a 14' chain link gate. Encountered initial problems in the cold, but they sent me a modified part and that solved the problem. It was due to differential contraction between a shaft and a bushing as I recall. Anyway, I was happy with it and with their support.

I'd suggest putting a wheel under the latch end of the gate to support it's weight, especially if you have horses. Also I would get the latching kit to keep it closed once it closes, otherwise there's enough play in the system to push it open from the outside far enough to walk through.

greatrandini · Sep 27, 2005

I think they stole it just to use or sell it!

jinman · Sep 27, 2005

From what I've seen, the Mighty Mule isn't shock mounted very well. There's nothing to dampen that initial torque surge. We had one (my wife before we got married) and it was constantly tearing itself apart about every 1-1/2 years. I built a little damper and it's been working great now for over two years with no fractured parts.

This wouldn't be a problem on a light-weight gate, but on a heavy 14' gate, the screwjack will really load up before the gate starts to swing.

Unclebuck257 · Sep 28, 2005

Yeah, what jinman said is true! When they initially go to open they really do torque up!! I'm glad he mentioned that because you're going to have to be careful regarding the type of hinges you have on your gate (s). Make sure you've got some stout ones, mainly because of the torque jinman mentioned.

BTW, Say hello to Kathy for me Jim!! Man!! Did you get the better end of that deal!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

mikim · Sep 29, 2005

Man!! Did you get the better end of that deal!! 
and a darn good lookin' end she's got too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (sorry Kathy - but sometimes when somebody opens a door - I just gotta walk through it) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Sep 29, 2005

( Man!! Did you get the better end of that deal!!
and a darn good lookin' end she's got too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (sorry Kathy - but sometimes when somebody opens a door - I just gotta walk through it) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Yer durn tootin' I got the best end of the deal! And now she has one Mighty Mule, one Kawasaki Mule, and TWO jackasses. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Shimon · Oct 3, 2005

( This wouldn't be a problem on a light-weight gate, but on a heavy 14' gate, the screwjack will really load up before the gate starts to swing. )

OK...which version of the Mighty Mule are we talking about here? The FM350 (up to 16' gate / 550 lbs) or the FM 500 (18' gate / 850 lbs)? Both are shown on the page linked above. I was planning on the FM500 for my 14' gate (and it does have a wheel at the "latch" end).

For gate locks are you guys using the automatic gate lock from Mighty Mule (FM143)? Or something else?

Thanks.

Ronbo · Oct 4, 2005

I have had mine for 4 years. I love it. I have the overpriced solar charger. Teh battery goes dead every december when the sun is behind the clouds for 1 1/2 months. I disconnected the internal battery and ran wires out to a 875 amp walmart 12 volt car battery. That was 2 years ago and I have not had a dead battery since then.

Ron

jinman · Oct 6, 2005

Gate Opener Discussion

The thread above is a gate opener discussion in the Rural Living Forum that was back in December of 2003 and early 2004. I posted a full set of pictures of problems with the GTO-PRO gate opener and my solution. The new openers are not the same model, nor are they made the same way, but they do share the characteristic of not looking very well shock mounted. On the bright side, they are cheap and easy to find repair parts when needed. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif