Mighty Mule Gate Opener - Things To Consider Before Installing
The Mighty Mule Gate Opener is a real time saver, and during the rainy season, it can make you twice as happy. With an electric gate opener there is no need to unlock and lift up gate latches, all you have to do is press a button. It can run with 100 volt electricity or with a battery in remote locations. If you are planning to install the Mighty Mule Gate Opener, here are some important things you may want to know.
This automatic gate opener may be bought online and in local home improvement stores and it comes in different configurations, such as a simple one-arm style which can be bought for as low as $220 and a complete dual-arm system for as high as $1,500. Your choice depends mainly on the gate itself. If you have a heavy gate, you should choose one that can accept such weight. The price of this gate opener may also change if you wish to add some accessories such as a digital keypad for wireless entry, an automatic exit sensor to open the gate automatically when you are leaving, a locking pin and automatic gate lock to slow down potential burglars. It is also possible to use a remote control to open your gate. However, this is just an optional expense which will most likely cost you an additional $100 especially if you want to use a weather-proof keypad with different entry codes. The additional cost of a keypad is negligible compared to the convenience it provides however. Even with all these benefits it is always good to compare products. Viking gate operators is another quality option you should consider.
For surge and wire protection, you may run an electrical line to your gate unless you have an automatic solar installation. Since this gate opener runs a 24-volt system, it is possible to direct the burial cable without any conduit. However, you should not scrimp on the surge protection because a lightning strike can get costly onr repairs if your circuit board is destroyed.
The Mighty Mule Gate Opener fastens to existing posts and/or columns. You must consider how the gate will open and the place where this gate opener will be installed. Lightweight gates utilized for livestock can be mounted and installed on square fence post as long as the posts are solid enough to hold and support the unit. For residential purposes, fancy gates that come with better security features should be mounted onto solid and pre-existing columns and/or posts.
Small solar panels may also be used to power this gate opener and gate closers. Photovoltaic panels can produce DC current enough to fully charge a 24-volt battery and run the opener, day or night. There is no need for long wires to run from and AC source, thereby making the installation easier, simpler, and cheaper.
However, with inadequate light from the sun, the solar-only configuration of this gate opener will often fail. It is also not suggested to install this gate opener in a tree-shaded area. Even if there is enough sunshine, three consecutive cloudy days might be enough to render the system inoperative. Another thing to consider is the number of times you will open and close the gate per day. If there are several people opening the gate, the solar system for the Mighty Mule Gate Opener may not be the best option for you.
