Gate Openner for 16 ft Steel Tube gate

[paulsharvey]

What type of gate openers do yall recommend for a 16 ft steel tube gate? Its about 200 ft from power, and I would probably do solar, just to make it easy. Gate will most likely open out, cause drive comes uphill. I think my truck can be programmed with button (2019 Ram) but wife's car is older. Do they all come with key pads?

 

[TractorGuy]

I only have experience with the Mighty Mule openers. Their customer service SUCKS! That said they seem to be the lowest cost. Some seem to hold up and others not so much.

My first single opener worked fine but got fried by lightening. I don't think any brand or price level opener would be immune to that. I replaced that one with an identical unit from Tractor Supply and it worked fine until I switched to dual gates. I sold it for half what I paid for it. Their company is based near me and to have the old board replaced was pert near the cost of a complete unit so I just bought a whole new unit. I had about 3 years each on both units.

My first opener had a 10w solar panel on a Walmart lawn tractor battery. Batteries have been lasting about 5 years. The 10w panel didn't seem to keep the battery fully charged and I would periodically have to pull the battery for charging 3 or 4 times a year. I changed to a 30w panel and never have to charge the battery between having to replace them. The opener has a built in charge controller that works fine so you only have to buy a panel. When the battery is getting weak it will sound an alarm to let you know long before the battery is too weak to operate the gates.

My wife wanted dual gates when we expanded our driveway out. The right gate intermittently opens slower than the left gate. I suspect it is due to the length of wire or a faulty relay on the board but it has never failed to open so I just live with it. Those openers have been in service for 5 years now and are still working.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Mighty mule brand is the economical product line, not unusual to see them last many years. GTO pro and Linear are better grades of openers from the same parent company, which is Nortek. US Automatic gate operator and Lift master, ghost control, Aleko are others.

Openers usually come with two key fob type openers that will also clip to your visor. Some are also able to be operated from your phone. Keypads, extra openers, automatic opening sensors to install inside the property, sensors that send a signal to let you know someone is in the drive, and any other accessories are almost always items you have to add to your order list. Keep in mind that most of the better grades also allow more than one number to be used at the keypad. This allows you to remove someone’s access and not mess with having to change everyone’s access.

Generally speaking you get what you pay for. Mighty mule are ok, its best to buy a HEAVIER duty model than you think you need. Use something to help prevent battery terminal corrosion. Batteries are going to need replaced every 2 or 3 often times.

Keep in mind that winds and ice add a LOT of stress to the gate opening system. It’s easy to underestimate the strength of the connections and supports you need.

I have personally dealt with Nortek many many times concerning various gate openers in their product line. Long wait time for a representative is common, but once they get to you I have had no complaints. GIVE THEM YOUR PHONE NUMBER AS SOON AS THE REPRESENTATIVE STARTS TO HELP YOU. Just in case you get disconnected. Lift master is much the same. Have had little personal experience with US automatic. Have a cell phone with a charged up battery and a voltmeter is pretty much always needed. Best to have a small screw driver to turn any circuit board adjustment needed. Open up the control box where you can access it before you call.

Have a bucket or something to set on.....as I said the wait can be long but they are usually good at solving the issues.

 

[mwayne]

If you are talking about swing gate openers then Apollo and US Automatic both make good units. I have had the latter brand installed at home for over 14 years without any problems. For sliding gates our security guys like Viking actuators. One of the biggest problems with residential installs is with relying on unpredictable solar panel power. IMO if at all possible try to run AC power to the gate.

 

[TractorGuy]

I wasn't aware GTO had sold out. They started out in a warehouse in Tallahassee FL and machined and built everything in house. I knew they had started outsourcing some of the components.

Maybe the new ownership will improve their terrible customer service reputation. The few times I contacted them if I got a reply at all it was a packaged reply that didn't solve my issue. Fortunately I haven't had any issues that prevented the units from working.

My experience with using the $25 Walmart U1 batteries maintained on a solar charger in FL they last right at 5 years. You can almost set your watch by them. Let them sit uncharged over the winter in a lawn mower and you might get 2 years.

 

[rademamj1]

This is the Gate opener that I recommend. I have two of them, both solar powered, opens and closes flawlessly. Installed four years ago, and rugged and reliable at handling a 650lb gate. No issues. Mine is setup for pin code entry.

Residential Gate Openers & Systems | LiftMaster

 

[Xfaxman]

We are using the solar powered new Smart Opener with a heavy 16 foot gate: Automatic Smart Gate Openers | Mighty Mule

 

[TractorGuy]

I'm sorry but fumbling around with a cell phone to open or close a gate makes no sense at all. Every opener system I've seen comes with two remotes. The GTO/Mighty Mule remote is about 2"x2"x3/4". I think extras are around $25 each so we have one in every vehicle. They take up very little space and can be placed within easy reach. I have the one in my truck clipped on the visor while most of the others have the clip removed and just reside in a compartment in the center console. I even have one on the key chain on my motorcycle.

Our daughter's property has a large single opener with a compatible control unit so we set the dip switches on our remotes to match theirs. That enables us to enter each other's property with the same remotes.

 

[TractorGuy]

As far as the key pad goes you wouldn't want to rely on one for regular use but they are handy for allowing guests. You can even program them with a time limited code for workers. When my barn was being built I set a 3 day code to four zeros so it would be easy for them to remember.

I have a code panel on the inside and outside. Make sure and space them according to which way the gate swings.

 

[Xfaxman]

I'm sorry but fumbling around with a cell phone to open or close a gate makes no sense at all. Every opener system I've seen comes with two remotes. ------------------------------------------------

The cell phone operation is an option that we do not have.

The opener comes with a 3 button remote. I replaced an old MM opener and am using the old remotes.

The main reason I got it is it opens and closes much faster than their other openers.