How practical solar power is for your Mighty Mule® gate
opener needs to be examined on a case-by case-basis. Factors to consider
are: location of gate, type of gate, frequency of use, and how far the
gate opener is from a power source etc.
Therefore, if you are within a 1000 ft. of a power outlet,
we recommend using the transformer that is included with your Mighty
Mule Gate Opener. This will provide you with the most consistent charge
than you would get from solar charging power. After all options are considered
and it is determined that solar charging is your best option.— See
charts below for the recommended number of solar panels based on your
model, climate zone, and frequency of use.
The table and map below illustrate the maximum number
of gate cycles to expect per day in a particular area when using solar
charging panels
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Up to 15 Watts of solar charging power for
Mighty Mule® models FM700, FM702 and FM350.
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Up to 30 Watts of solar charging power for
Mighty Mule® models FM500, FM502. and FM350.
Installing an optional second battery is recommended
for best performance of your gate opener. The chart figures are
based on winter sunlight (minimum) and do not account for any other
accessory items installed with your opener that draws additional power
from your battery. Back to the top
The advantage of the larger control box then the
previous models and is it pre-wired for an optional second battery.
Having a second battery will improve the number of reliable openings
and closings of the gate. GTO, Inc recommends this option especially
for solar applications.
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Garage door openers use a different radio frequency
than the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers does. If you want
your Mighty Mule® entry transmitter to activate both, you can purchase
a Mighty Mule® garage door receiver (special order) The Mighty
Mule® garage door receiver
has the same frequency as the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers.
If your gate and garage are within close range of each other and
you wish to have one transmitter to do it all, then you can purchase
a two or three button Mighty Mule® entry transmitter (special
order) that will operate the openers separately.
The normal operating range of the Mighty Mule® transmitter
is 50 ft. to 100 ft. However, because it uses a radio frequency and is
subject to interference by weather conditions, topography, outside interference,
etc., the actual range may vary. If your house is within 1000 ft. of
your gate, you can place a second set of low voltage wires in the ground
at the same time you are running wire for the transformer and connect
it to an unlit Push Button inside the house. At the control box simply
connect the wires to the accessory terminal block.
Not if you personalize your transmitter code. Every
Mighty Mule® entry transmitter comes with identical factory settings,
but you can personalize your code by repositioning the dip switches inside
the Mighty Mule® entry transmitter.
Mighty Mule® offers a weatherproof Digital
Keypad accessory (for wired or wireless applications) that
can be mounted on a post near the gate. The keypad can be programmed
with up to 15 different entry codes. These codes can be used by family
members, delivery personnel, employees, etc. An additional security
feature is the ability to change only one code at a time. For example,
you can give a delivery person an entry code and then that particular
code can be changed after the delivery, without
affecting the other codes.
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Will the battery operate my Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers
in extreme heat or cold?
Yes! Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® openers operate
in all types of weather. Because of the battery's design, extreme cold
may cause it to operate a little slower than under normal conditions.
(May require a heater in weather below -5 degrees).
Does lightning affect the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers?
No electrical device can withstand a direct lightning
hit. However, the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers does have built-in
ground paths on the control board designed to diffuse normal static charges
created by lightning.
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Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers models (FM500,
FM502, FM700, FM702) are operated by a 12 Volt, 7.0 amp-hour battery
which also provides battery backup during a power outage. (The FM250
contains a 12 Volt 1.2 amp-hour battery.)
On the average, a fully charged 12 volt, 7.0 amp-hour
battery will provide fifty (50) cycles during a power outage. The number
of cycles may vary depending on factors such as the type and size of
gate, number of added accessories, and weather conditions.
Each Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® opener kit comes
with a transformer that plugs into any 110/120 electrical outlet and
provides a trickle charge to the battery. The transformer is connected
to the control box with up to 1000 ft. of Mighty Mule® E-Z
Gate® openers 16 gauge, multi-stranded, dual conductor, direct burial,
low voltage wire (not provided). If there is not a standard outlet within
1000 ft. of the control box, the battery charge can be maintained with
optional solar panel(s). (The Mighty Mule FM250 is NOT solar compatible)
If an outlet is located outside, the transformer can be placed inside
a weatherproof electrical box and connected to the control box with Mighty
Mule® E-Z
Gate® openers
low voltage wire.
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