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Electric Gate Opener - Recs
#8054838
11/18/20 02:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,451
Dalroo
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OP
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I have been looking at electric gate openers for my place. The gate is too far from barndo for power, so will need a complete kit with solar and battery. Several different brands, all relatively expensive, and curious if anyone here can provide good and/or bad reviews. Looked at Mighty Mule system at Tractor Supply. Almost went ahead and purchased, but you have to buy all components separately, so thought I would source online for a complete package, then saw several other brands that might work. Bottom line - I am willing to spend the money, just don't want to buy junk that will have to be replaced quickly or requires constant repairs.
Anyone?
Dalroo Deep in the Heart of Texas How about that Brandon!
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8054862
11/18/20 02:38 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,717
603Country
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Folks gripe about Mighty Mule, but I’ve had one on the front gate for almost 15 years. In that time, I’ve had one control panel die. Not hard to replace. I’m on my 3rd Actuator Rod - the thing that actually opens and closes the gate. The original solar panel is still in place.
Here’s what I have learned:
- For the battery, get a deep cycle marine battery. Not those small dry cells they sell you. - If you have a problem it is almost always the battery or the battery wiring. - if you already have the actuator, use it till it dies and then replace it with their heavy duty actuator.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8054866
11/18/20 02:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,695
Cochise
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I have a ghost controls system that's been problem free for 6, almost 7 years now. Still on the same battery (get a deep cycle marine battery). It's on a 16' gate - the light-midweight gray gate TSC sells.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8054873
11/18/20 02:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,187
Tbar
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Buy once.....cry once.
Skip the cheepos like those at TSC and buy a good one.
Apollo is a good one.
Make America Great Again
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8054877
11/18/20 02:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 590
HWY72
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 590 |
Had a US Automatic on our double swing gates at the old place and never had issues.
We have an Apollo single at the current place and I'm impressed with it due to the weight of gate.
I wouldn't hesitate to go with either of the above for a new install.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8054912
11/18/20 03:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,695
Cochise
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If you don't have a super heavy gate there is ZERO need to buy Apollo, US Automatic, Liftmaster, etc. at 2-3x the cost.
If you have a heavy gate - absolutely buy the higher end openers.
If the cheaper ones are installed correctly on gates that weigh less than 150-200 lbs - they will last just fine.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8055014
11/18/20 04:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 258
RH422
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 258 |
Had a Liftmaster model CSL24U sliding gate opener put in a few months ago to move our appx 1000lb 32' gate. Opted for solar because of potential power outages. Working flawlessly so far.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8055024
11/18/20 04:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,951
don k
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Posts: 14,951 |
I have a Apollo on one of mine. works good.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8055037
11/18/20 04:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,645
QuitShootinYoungBucks
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IMO buy a quality opener and go above/beyond on the installation. Weld up/install something extremely solid to attach it to and make sure it's all level and can't bind in any way. Do likewise for the gate, make sure it's level and free-swinging. If you cut any corners you'll hate it later on. I've seen several of these fail for these very reasons.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8055236
11/18/20 06:21 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,498
TX_LT230FH
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,498 |
One of these and a rolling gate. You'll never have to work on one of these.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8057843
11/20/20 08:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,451
Dalroo
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OP
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Good info. Still researching and appreciate the input.
Dalroo Deep in the Heart of Texas How about that Brandon!
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8057868
11/20/20 08:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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Posts: 39,549 |
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8057929
11/20/20 09:21 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,450
Superduty
"The Regulator"
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"The Regulator"
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,450 |
Yes Sir, have had 2..go with Apollo. Just had an Apollo had installed at my home 6 months ago. The one before was on another house.
Never an issue.
'It's Only Treason if You Lose."
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8058330
11/21/20 02:57 AM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 239
20bore
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 239 |
Neighbor has a US Automatic and has had no issues
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8058540
11/21/20 12:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,124
Pootie
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,124 |
Mighty Mule. You'll get to know their service dept. when the end keeps breaking off the actuator. Look at gate openers as you drive and notice the MMs where the end of the actuator is hanging loose.
If you find yourself feeling useless, remember it took 20 years, trillions of dollars, and four presidents to replace the Taliban with the Taliban.
Sometimes the Universe puts you in the same situation again to see if you’re still a dumbass.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8058621
11/21/20 02:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,717
603Country
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That hasn’t happened to my unit. I had an actuator quit working due to internal gears failing. The replacement, going with MM’s advice, is a Heavy Duty actuator. No problems nowadays due to anything other than battery issues, but the deep cycle battery has that issue fixed. Now it’s the batteries in the car and truck remotes when the weather is real cold, but that has nothing to do with MM.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#8058629
11/21/20 02:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,187
Tbar
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Posts: 15,187 |
IMO buy a quality opener and go above/beyond on the installation. Weld up/install something extremely solid to attach it to and make sure it's all level and can't bind in any way. Do likewise for the gate, make sure it's level and free-swinging. If you cut any corners you'll hate it later on. I've seen several of these fail for these very reasons. X 2. Getting the angles correct is critical.
Make America Great Again
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8058639
11/21/20 02:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 307
elstone
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 307 |
I’ve got an Apollo and would highly recommend. Has been great and only had to replace the deep cycle marine battery.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8061154
11/23/20 02:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 571
EVCO
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 571 |
Apollo has been trouble free for 8 or 9 years. I have a large heavy 16" iron gate and has worked flawlessly.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: TX_LT230FH]
#8061161
11/23/20 02:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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One of these and a rolling gate. You'll never have to work on one of these. Rolling gates are pain to build, and a pain to maintain. All around more expensive. Swing gates, US Automatic Lewisville, TX. Apollo is also high quality.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: J.G.]
#8061385
11/23/20 05:03 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,498
TX_LT230FH
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,498 |
One of these and a rolling gate. You'll never have to work on one of these. Rolling gates are pain to build, and a pain to maintain. All around more expensive. Swing gates, US Automatic Lewisville, TX. Apollo is also high quality. The 20' gate in my backyard was built 14 years ago by 2 guys in 1 day. In 14 years I've replaced 3 batteries and sprayed lube on the chain.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8061406
11/23/20 05:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 298
fishmorethanhunt
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 298 |
We’ve had an Apollo for over 12 years. Replaced mother board once due to lightening strike otherwise it’s worked without any problems. Would definitely buy again.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8061525
11/23/20 06:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,929
Ol Thumper
THF Trophy Hunter
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The old style Mighty Mules leaked and allowed the water to get inside destroying them, at least all of mine did. The newer style supposedly corrects this issue but I’m not convinced enough to gamble on them again. We’ve gone through 4 in the last 4 years and I’m currently looking for a better unit myself, the old saying you get what you pay for definitely applies here.
On the solar set up don’t buy the kit, go to amazon or The Solar Store and buy much better/bigger panels/charge controllers for less money. Shoot me a pm if you need any guidance, I’ve turned into a solar junkie over the years,
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8084212
12/10/20 09:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 12
SNKETR
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 12 |
Could those of y'all with Apollo provide the model number and the type of gate your using it on? I'll need to get one installed once I'm done building in March.
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Re: Electric Gate Opener - Recs
[Re: Dalroo]
#8084290
12/10/20 10:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,442
Poppa
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,442 |
got one by NICE? maybee apollo? no problems in 4 yrs. sep battery. all 12v with solar panel that came with kit. 16 ft gate
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