Posted 2016-03-04 9:35 AM Subject: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032 Location: Oklahoma
Do any of you have experience with this type of gate? I've not seen any around here but see them everywhere around the Weatherford TX area. I'm thinking a 14 to 16 foot gate. Any particular brand better than others? Any to stay away from. Can you ballpark a price range? Thanks for your help! :)
Posted 2016-03-04 9:39 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
Party Girl
Posts: 12293 Location: Buffalo, Wyoming
We just bought a Mighty Mule gate opener for ours. We just started to install is 2 nights ago so I can't really give any feedback on it yet. We are pretty sure we will have to replace our gate as it is pretty heavy and I don't think any of the auto gate openers would work with it.
Posted 2016-03-04 9:53 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182 Location: Do I hear Banjos?
It's something of a pain really...my in-laws have one. Yes...when it's pouring down rain it's nice to be able to sit in the dry truck and open/close it. But it has some drawbacks. Sometimes it develops "issues" where it will close...then open again. You have to watch a few seconds to be sure that doesn't happen after you drive off. It occasionally will not open....always at a bad time. You will invariably forget your clicker occasionally. And...my favorite...the horse that learns the system and while appearing to graze casually nearby...he is merely waiting for his opportunity to slip out before it closes!
Posted 2016-03-04 10:03 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
Hugs to You
Posts: 7551 Location: In The Land of Cotton
We have a Mighty Mule opener on a 16' gate. We have had it for two years now. No problem. I would suggest that you get at least two batteries and two solar backups. We did hook ours to electricity too this year because we ran a line right by it. We got the key fobs for it and the key pad too. However, we did not get the auto opener on the inside. We use the fob. The best place to get the opener and cheapest is Gemplers. We got fobs for each vehicle, including the truck we haul with, so no forgetting.
We just use a regular livestock gate with the no climb wire insert. I spray painted it black. Works for us.
Posted 2016-03-04 10:50 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
Witty Enough
Posts: 2954 Location: CTX
We have a mighty mule from TSC on a 16' gate. bought it 4 years ago and hooked it up to a solar panel. Hubby also hooked it up to a deep cycle marine battery. So far we have little issues with it. Actually, I got it form my first paycheck after I went back to work.... lol... so much easier to have... We have a keyfob in every vehicle, and a keypad on the outside. Nothing on the inside. We just use the keyfob to get out. Most of the time it works great from even the house (appr 500' from the gate) but when we've had a couple of cloudy days it won't react at that distance. Luckily we are in CTX so not a lot of them days here... Would not want to be without!! Not sure which one we have, they have a bunch of different ones at TSC. But I think I paid between $250 and $300 for it back then.
Posted 2016-03-04 11:15 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810 Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo.
Our Mighty Mule solar-powered gate has worked wonderfully. We have had it for years and years. It is great! We do keep an extra battery charged for those winter days that we go days without sun so we can swap out a battery.
Posted 2016-03-04 9:42 PM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159 Location: Arkansas
TrailGirl - 2016-03-04 9:53 AM
It's something of a pain really...my in-laws have one. Yes...when it's pouring down rain it's nice to be able to sit in the dry truck and open/close it. But it has some drawbacks. Sometimes it develops "issues" where it will close...then open again. You have to watch a few seconds to be sure that doesn't happen after you drive off. It occasionally will not open....always at a bad time. You will invariably forget your clicker occasionally. And...my favorite...the horse that learns the system and while appearing to graze casually nearby...he is merely waiting for his opportunity to slip out before it closes!
Love your picture! Where was that taken? Sorry to get off thread. . . .
Posted 2016-03-05 1:00 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
I have an Apollo. I think it is a pain too. We got it when my husband was sick and could not get out go open the gate. Mine got where it would open by itself when no one was around and I worried about my horses getting out. I disconnected after having it repaired twice. Also mine closed on a girl's truck and they sued me. I told my home owners insurance not to pay because they were at fault (couple of drunks) but insurance said it was cheaper to pay then fight it. Just a heads up.
Posted 2016-03-05 8:51 AM Subject: RE: Solar/Automatic Type Gates
"Hottie"
Posts: 1373 Location: Okemah,OK
We've had a mighty mule for a few years and I hate it. There's always something wrong with it. We upgraded to a marine battery and it was doing better but then a windy day completely screwed it up and it's down again. Honestly, I hate the thing but I don't know if any other options that aren't really expensive.
Solar/Automatic Type Gates
