mighty mule 200 gate opener

[Redbug]

I have a couple 5 watt solar panels, each placed apart for better sunshine use around the bushes. Nothing fancy. We go out of our place sometimes several times a day and no problems. I would guess the gate weighs around 250 or 300 pounds, on rollers. I keep the rollers greased every 6 months or so, and occasionally swap out a battery. It's good to rotate batteries anyway and use them. Just letting a battery sit is not good. I just get a battery now and again...about every 4 or 5 years from Wally World. I think around 720 amps, deep cycle. I use them in my boats, too.

It ain't purdy...but it works! After having a gate...I cannot see ever living without one. The idea of security really goes up. We don't want to be bothered, (in the compound)...except by friends.

Any questions...just ask away. The folks on this forum have more collective knowledge than you can imagine.

 

[Pitbull2166]

2 month old Mighty mule solar panel not charging battery

Does anyone have suggestions on how to diagnose why solar panel does not keep battery charged?

 

[Jimbrown]

Re: 2 month old Mighty mule solar panel not charging battery

Don't have any idea. But, before I beat my head to death. The circuit board has a built in regulator for the solar panel. I would just buy a small regulator by pass the circuit board and hook directly to the battery.

Something like this

Morningstar Sunguard 12V 4.5A charge controller - Energy Matters

Not sure which circuit board it uses but they are all pretty close try this.

http://support.gtoinc.com/Uploads/Documents/1000 Low Voltage Solar.pdf

 

[ultrarunner]

Anyway to load test the battery?

Might be a bad battery if it won't charge.

Brother's place has one and he was having some work done with lots of people coming and going.

The charger was ok with just family... was not up to the high numbers of opening and closing without upgrading the charger...

 

[JRobyn]

Getcha a cheap voltmeter and check the voltage out of your solar panel. If it seems ok (should probably be at least 14+vdc with even a little sun on it), then the charge regulator is probably your problem, so do like JimBrown suggested. Harbor Freight also markets inexpensive solar charge controllers.

- Jay

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a 15 watt with built in diodes that has been used on a might mule for 6 years. It takes a new battery (lawn mower battery) about every 2-3 years. The circuit boards have had some problems with this one (brother in law). I just put one on my gate with the same set up. I will see how long it last.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It doesn't take a big battery for normal use. If you go in and out 100 times a day, you may need a bigger charger, but the battery should not need to be a big marine battery.