Looking for automatic gate opener

[txdon]

I have a Patriot, made in the USA. Excellent service and whenever I had a question just a phone call and it was answered quickly. It is solar/battery operated. Batteries last about 3 years. I have had it 7 years and use it about 120 times a month. Even during the cloudiest weeks when the neighbors mighty mule had to be disconnected the Patriot was still was strong.

https://www.usautomatic.com

I have the slide gate opener but they also make swing openers.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Recommend USAutomatic as well. Costs more than a Mighty Mule but for good reason.

 

[joefromga]

I have a pretty basic swing gate, and a busted Mighty Mule opener. I need to get a new automatic opener, and and wondering if people have suggestions on what has worked for them. It needs to be solar, but I imagine most can do that these days.

What's busted in it? They are generally easy to repair and are basic 12v electric motor actuators.

 

[3pedal]

What's busted in it? They are generally easy to repair and are basic 12v electric motor actuators.

I am not totally sure what the problem is right now. I did some light diagnostics and could not sort out the issue. I think it could be the board again, like the last one. After having 2 fail, I am ready to try something better. I wouldn't mind having a remote that has a range longer than 12 feet.

 

[txdon]

The range of the remote on the Patriot is about 200ft. I also have an exit wand buried about 100 feet from the gate and a keypad at the entrance.

 

[JRobyn]

I have been looking at the 1550 a bit. Something I read said the control box has to be within 4 feet of the arm. Any idea if that can be extended? I need to place the the control box much farther away.

Doubt it would matter much. The cable would just need to be extended. Comes with a 4 ft one. 6 conductor IIRC.

 

[drssg]

My second Mighty Mule was a significant redesign from the first one, and it is more heavy duty. It also slows down the gate operation at the beginning and end of the cycle to reduce wear.

If you haven't already, it might be worth looking at the new ones to see if it's still the same product that you have. The range for the remote is about the same, though.

 

[KYErik]

How far are you from 120V power? I ran a standard craftsman garage door opener as a gate opener for a couple of years (mounted on its side with a rain cover over the motor end).

 

[3pedal]

How far are you from 120V power? I ran a standard craftsman garage door opener as a gate opener for a couple of years (mounted on its side with a rain cover over the motor end).

Too far. I would guess it is 400 feet or more.

 

[RalphVa]

We have an Apollo. Had to put in a 2nd solar panel and take down a couple trees. Am experimenting with use of just a small utility battery instead of the big marine battery. So far, the utility battery is holding fine. Think the marine battery has too much potential internal leakage: too runs for a long time but difficult to get back to bull charge.

If the gate is to be farther than 500' from the house, you need a real radio intercom (about $2500). Our intercom just could not be made to work. Finally just put a little note on the keyboard to call us to come out to open the gate. With one of our remotes, we can just step outside and push a button to open it.

Ralph