Electric Gate Opener - Recs

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?

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.

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.

Buy once.....cry once.

Skip the cheepos like those at TSC and buy a good one.

Apollo is a good one.

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.

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.

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.

I have a Apollo on one of mine. works good.

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.

One of these and a rolling gate. You'll never have to work on one of these.

Good info. Still researching and appreciate the input.

Taking notes.

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.

Neighbor has a US Automatic and has had no issues

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.

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.

X 2. Getting the angles correct is critical.

I’ve got an Apollo and would highly recommend. Has been great and only had to replace the deep cycle marine battery.

Apollo has been trouble free for 8 or 9 years. I have a large heavy 16" iron gate and has worked flawlessly.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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

I went through this several years ago and went with the US Automatic Sentry double swing opener. Bought it through Amazon. Its a great opener.

Good advice, have 3 gates with these and after 11 years no problems . Only maintenance was to replace the battery

"Back yard"

So it is on a concrete driveway?

Circling back on this thread to provide an update.

I went with the Ghost Controls opener. We installed two weeks ago and it works great! Easy easy set up and adjustments. Programming the remotes and keypad was also very easy. Instead of mounting the panel to the fence, we made a box for the marine battery and control panel with the solar panel attached to the top, making it all a pretty clean and weatherproof install. We also fabricated a stop out of bar stock to keep the gate from swinging any in heavy wind.

Project took 4 or 5 hours to complete, but most of that was fabricating the stop and building a bracket for the actuator attaching to the gate itself. We did find that the antenna was missing when shipped, so range was very short. I called Ghost Controls and they Rush shipped a replacement for no charge and we had it within a couple of days. Now the range is probably 250' or so.

We'll see if any problems going forward, but so far, so good.

I have a commercial Lift Master gate opener that is on a heavy duty 18ft bull gate at my place. It is on solar... It is supposed to be an upper end model that I had professionally installed and glad I did with the computer hookup inside that thing.
It has worked good “for the most part”. After first being installed about 2 1/2 years ago, it was draining the battery. Company rep that installed it said it was hooked up wrong... Worked good “for the most part”. Had a couple more issues with occasionally the battery being dead...
Now, yesterday morning, battery was dead again (second time in two weeks). Called the owner of the company and he came right out. He was puzzled so he called Lift Master. After diagnostic tests, they said it was the charging regulator. They are covering it under warranty, but said they are behind at the factory 2-3 weeks to get the part sent out...
Overall it has been a little frustrating since I have almost 5k into it... But, the service has been good and it seems as though they are standing behind their product..... We shall see if this fixes the issue.