Gate Opener

[catfishdaddyengineering]

I am looking at using the Mighty Mule FM350 gate opener and a Solar Panel. My only problem is that my house is going to be 1300'. I looked at the FM136 Keypad to Base Unit Range Extension, but its range is only 500' wireless and 1000' wired. I have wireless experience, so I emailed the company to ask what the frequency is, the Watt ouput of the transceiver, and if I could boost the range with higher gain antennas than the little omni directional ones they include. I know that I should be able to do it, but I was hoping that they would respond with another customer's experience. All that I got was a response from Hannah, who is a "Sales Fulfillment Coordinator" saying the range is 1000' wired.

Does anyone have any experience with the FM136?

 

[Ken45101]

No direct experience, but some experience with other wireless equipment. Often the advertised wireless range is for clear line of sight, no trees, hills OR WALLS. IOW, your control has to be outside!

Wired range should be able to be extended by the use of heavier gauge wire. It doesn't matter how long the run is, it's how much voltage drop is allowed. Heavier gauge wire will reduce the drop per 100 feet.

Ken

 

[catfishdaddyengineering]

Ken,
Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of putting a yagi on each end so there would be direct line of site. The house one would be outside coax running into the house to the intercomm. Maybe I will try it out and if it works give GTO a customer experience that others could use.

 

[MNBobcat]

I am looking at using the Mighty Mule FM350 gate opener and a Solar Panel. My only problem is that my house is going to be 1300'. I looked at the FM136 Keypad to Base Unit Range Extension, but its range is only 500' wireless and 1000' wired. I have wireless experience, so I emailed the company to ask what the frequency is, the Watt ouput of the transceiver, and if I could boost the range with higher gain antennas than the little omni directional ones they include. I know that I should be able to do it, but I was hoping that they would respond with another customer's experience. All that I got was a response from Hannah, who is a "Sales Fulfillment Coordinator" saying the range is 1000' wired.

Does anyone have any experience with the FM136?

I have to do the same thing. I'm 1,200 feet. I also want a video feed to the house. I'd really appreciate if if you could keep us (or me) updated on what you do.

 

[jinman]

If the wired connection could only work up to 1000', I think I might consider moving the control and charger in 300' to the 1000' mark and extend the power wires to the linear actuator on the gate. There's nothing that says you have to have the controller and charger at the gate. Sure, it makes working on problems a bit more convenient, but long wires to the actuator might work as well as trying to extend the wired controller signal. Certainly, you will need a large gage wire for the power to the actuator because it is only 12VDC. Any voltage drop will sap power from the actuator's motor.

 

[troutsqueezer]

It's not likely that the unit will work fine at 1,000 feet and then not work at 1001 feet. There is a slope to the absolute cutoff distance to where the unit will not work at all. I'm sure the 1,000 foot spec has quite a bit of SOA (safe operating area) built into it to keep customers from calling. Should you decided to experiment a bit, you'll probably find you can go quite a bit further than the 1,000 feet and still have it work. At 1300 feet, you are only 30% longer than the published spec. Many companies build in a 50-100% SOA spec.

Like the previous poster says, thicker wire will extend that range as well.

 

[ustmd]

I am looking at using the Mighty Mule FM350 gate opener and a Solar Panel. My only problem is that my house is going to be 1300'. I looked at the FM136 Keypad to Base Unit Range Extension, but its range is only 500' wireless and 1000' wired. I have wireless experience, so I emailed the company to ask what the frequency is, the Watt ouput of the transceiver, and if I could boost the range with higher gain antennas than the little omni directional ones they include. I know that I should be able to do it, but I was hoping that they would respond with another customer's experience. All that I got was a response from Hannah, who is a "Sales Fulfillment Coordinator" saying the range is 1000' wired.

Does anyone have any experience with the FM136?

Hiya,

We have a similiar problem brewing. I have held off on a gate and entrance to my property becaucse of this reason.

I am curious to see your results.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Before you purchase the Mighty Mule I would first take a drive and check out all the gate operators that are hanging disconnected. The vast majority of them are going to be GTO (mighty mules).

I once took a GTO class offered by King Metals here in Dallas. It was a one day thing and the lure was one free operator for attending.

I never got the free operator but didn't consider that a loss.

One thing I did learn was the attendees that loved the GTO products were guys who specialized in repairing them. Business was great according to them.

Automatic has a new operator out that is supposed to compete pricewise with the Mighty Mule. I've had good luck with Automatic operators over the years. I also know one of the owners and believe he wouldn't be associated with a substandard product.

An operator like the Apollo or Automatic Patriot is going to cost you at least half as much up front more. It's money well spent.

The Apollo operator is manufactured and home based close to you. They're also a great operator that I've had good luck with over the years.

 

[Soundguy]

I use mighty mule, and have a wireless keypad outside the gate for people to enter.. and I use the lil 'keychain' xmitters in my vehicle so I can get out or in. if you have people needing out.. another wireless keypad or wireless keychain style in a 'dry box' at the exit would do it.

soundguy

 

[anojones]

For getting out (and in for that matter) I have a door bell button wired to the opener on one of those white vinyl fence posts. The nice thing about the vinyl posts is you can run the wire up the inside and just set the post cap on top to access the wire if needed.

 

[blueriver]

I have had the Mighty Mule for years. All solar, operated by a marine 12 volt battery, key pad on the outside and remotes for us.

I program the pad for UPS, Fed-X, Friends ... sure they have to get out to enter the code.

I have a generic code to give to callers who need in.

I got mine in 2004 (I think) only one problem ...a little something board went bad and they shipped direct and an easy fix ... I am about 700' and fiqure it works so well why spend the money on wire, trencher etc ...

 

[jml755]

Before you purchase the Mighty Mule I would first take a drive and check out all the gate operators that are hanging disconnected. The vast majority of them are going to be GTO (mighty mules).I once took a GTO class offered by King Metals here in Dallas. It was a one day thing and the lure was one free operator for attending.

I never got the free operator but didn't consider that a loss.

One thing I did learn was the attendees that loved the GTO products were guys who specialized in repairing them. Business was great according to them.

Automatic has a new operator out that is supposed to compete pricewise with the Mighty Mule. I've had good luck with Automatic operators over the years. I also know one of the owners and believe he wouldn't be associated with a substandard product.

An operator like the Apollo or Automatic Patriot is going to cost you at least half as much up front more. It's money well spent.

The Apollo operator is manufactured and home based close to you. They're also a great operator that I've had good luck with over the years.

I've got a Mighty Mule arm disconnected right now. After disassembling, found the motor to be shot. GTO does NOT sell the motor separately, they WILL sell you a replacement arm for $200 even though the little 12vdc motor is probably a $20 item based on what I've seen online for similar units. I have not been able to locate the exact replacement by p/n anywhere but it looks like something that is used in remote control toy cars, so this week I'm going to try and take it around to hobby shops and find something equivalent. Anyone else have any luck finding a distributor for the motor or a suitable replacement? I think it's made in China and I thought I had a lead on a company in the UK that stocked them, but I figure there's GOT to be a US distributor.

 

[weldingisfun]

Does anyone have an idea of what a "reasonable" life expectancy would be for a gate opener? The reason for the question is my MM 350 has been on my front gate since March 2005. Only minor problems experienced mostly caused by the gate sagging or high winds. By the way, it is solar powered.

 

[Soundguy]

mine is solar as well. in 5ys i'm on my 2nd one.

fuse popped ont he old one.. and i guess board died. tsc had them on sale that week, so i just got another for about the same price as a fix from mm.. plus I got an extra remote doing it that way, and new hookup hardware.

if this one dies before 5ys.. I will think about other options..

soundguy

 

[Jimbrown]

I have two mighty mules. One is currently broke because someone pushed it. they have plastic gears and pushing by people, animals or wind will break them. I have an apollo articulated arm opener on my main gate. It is far superior to any mighty mule product.

I have not done so but you could use one of the Dakato MURS units and put the base station at the gate and use it to trigger the gate control.

MURS Alert Driveway Alarms

 

[TXsingleshot]

Two years ago after much research I installed a US Automatic Patriot solar gate operator. It has been flawless in its operation. I use 2 wireless keypads for guest as well as the wireless push button controll for my truck.
I found a vendor for this on EBAY and recieved great service from them. One of the selling features on this operator to me is the soft start and stop which makes everything work smoother and is much easier on all of the components. They are built in the Dallas, TX area.

 

[Soundguy]

i see gto now has a light duty 12' gate opener, listed as a '200' vs the 350 model. um.. I think I'd pay the extra 49$ and get the 350 model even on a 12' gate..

soundguy

 

[Redbug]

I have an Apollo that is about 15 years old. I have not had any problems at all with it. My gate probably weighs about 250 pounds, (and is on rollers), and covers a 16 foot wide entrance. I have it on 2 solar panels with a voltage regulator. All I do is grease it occasionally, rotate the battery out now and again, and buy a new clicker when one goes bad. It's been a good value for the money.

 

[catfishdaddyengineering]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have not made up my mind on a specific opener. I was just looking at the wireless keypad and the distance I am going to need.

 

[Cleev1]

I am a distributor for GTO, the manufacturer of the mighty mule. The frequency is 318mhz. I don't know of a way to increase the range with the FM136. There is a company that makes a long range system that is wireless. The line of sight from house to operator needs to be clear. The range is up to 1/4 mil. I have sold them and they work well. You would need more solar power, and probably a marine battery instead of the small battery that comes with the unit.