Automatic gate opener with keypad recommendations

[SugarCubes]

Hi all! We are wanting a single-swing entrance gate installed at the top of our 1/2 mile long driveway.

I’ve looked at a few from Northern Tool, but the accessories such as keypads, solar panels, exit antennas are starting to get confusing! So, for those of you with experience in this area, what would fit my needs?

We have a 1/2 mile long driveway, so it would need to be solar powered. I want a keypad so we can set an access code and an intercom or a smartphone alert if someone is at the gate. I’m also not 100% sure on what I need to purchase for the gate to automatically open when exiting the property.

Help would be greatly appreciated!

[clanter]

What are your neighbors using?

From what I can see Northern Tool is selling the Mighty Mule lower end systems, the Mighty Mule line is not known for long reliability

I guess nearly every manufacturer of gate operators has a system that will easily do what you desire. Like buying a compact tractor …who is going to service this once its installed?

Solar is no problem and be aware there still is a Federal Tax credit for a solar system (30% for 2019 reduced to 26% 2020) (check with your tax adviser)

If you go solar, you want a system that was Designed for solar applications not one that converted to Solar use as any electric operator can be made to run on solar,. These systems that are designed for solar will normally shut down all non essential power consumption devises after a specific time period (usually three to five minutes) thus reducing the size of solar panels and batteries required.

Battery size and type are pretty important features . Many models use a 7 ampH battery that really was never thought of to be used outside of an alarm panel which were to be mounted in an environment that was heated/cooled… they were cheap to purchase by the manufacturers so that is what they chose… I am pretty sure our bill of material cost was less than $5 for that type of battery. (seem to think it was more like in the $3.90 range for large purchases of 10,000 at a time)

“Free Exit” is commonly done using a exit probe which will allow any one to exit (unless probe is controlled by a time clock or switch to shut it off). Since you want a keypad entry, you can also use a keypad to exit (Mighty Mule/GTO also has a wireless exit probe that is battery powered, I think their expectation of battery life on the probe is five years)

There are as many bells and whistles that can be added to a system as there are breeds of dogs, with both adding new ones all the time

[Simkie]

@clanter is THE dude for this question and provided excellent advice when I had a similar query.

[clanter]

@Simkie

@clanter is THE dude for this question and provided excellent advice when I had a similar query.

well I should have some insight as I worked for about 80% of the manufactures in All phases of the deal over a forty year period :lol:. Actually still working as a consultant to one of the larger, if not largest manufacturer.

[Guilherme]

clanter is a pretty good guy and knows a lot. One approach would be to get a couple of sellers of these systems out, get a couple of quotes, and the let him use his experience to help you out. Save time for both of you!!!

G.

[2tempe]

Not quite the same situation, but I put a driveway gate in at my house - research indicated that the Mighty Mules were not the best. I purchased one from here: https://www.usautomatic.com/ I have both a keypad and remotes for my two vehicles; did not get solar because everything is relatively close to the control panel. But they do have solar options.
Have found them easy to work with, walked me thru some of the set up stuff; what size to get for my gate, etc etc. My handyman did the install.

[clanter]

one thing about GTO/Mighty Mule is it is a subdivision of Linear Access (or whatever they call that division now) which is wholly owned by Melrose Capital Investments

Melrose finances its acquisitions using a low level of leverage, improves the businesses by a mixture of significant investment and changed management focus, sells them and returns the proceeds to shareholders.

https://www.melroseplc.net/

they really do not have a desire for a long term relationship with the end user of the products, their goal is to squeeze the good stuff out of the companies, sell that for a profit then sell the remainder of the acquisition at even more money

Melrose ended up with GTO/MM as an asset of their purchase of Nortek

As a suggestion, before you purchase a unit off a retailer’s shelf, just jot down the model number and serial number of the product then call their tech support number to see what kind of support they are willing to offer…just tell them thing would not run (or take your phone and photograph the end panel of the box)

Many of the manufacturers have closed due to virus stuff, a few are still open…

[2tempe]

Tried to post earlier, but for some reason it said “unapproved”??? Anyway, put a driveway gate in close to two years ago; went with US Automatic. They are in Texas, multiple models, solar, keypads and I found them quite willing to provide input, walk thru syncing questions etc. Higher quality product than Mighty Mule.

[h=3]High Quality Automatic Solar Gate Openers & Accessories[/h] www.usautomatic.com

[2tempe]

Third time trying to post…www.usautomatic.com. They are in Texas, quality products, good customer support, will help you know what to get.

[Jarpur]

When we first considered installing a system, I thought we’d go with a solar-powered unit. However, after speaking with a few local farmers, I found that the solar panel itself was supposedly at risk of theft (according to their anecdotes, they’d lost ones in plain sight, fronting public roads, to criminals).

We went with a wired installation instead, although only a few hundred feet to the power source, not the OP’s 1/2 mile, even though we live in what is considered a very safe, low crime area with little traffic . So, that’s my contribution – does the OP think the solar panel might disappear? Admittedly, my next door neighbor - several years later - did install solar to power his gate, and the panel is still there, untouched.

[ElementFarm]

Clanter, for sure, knows his stuff.

we have a Ghost system. Keypad outside the gate, sensor strip inside. We have a solar panel and battery setup. It works great, and I feel much better knowing that if my horses get loose, they’re confined to the property. I read reviews of several brands before I settled on Ghost. So far (its been about 6 months) we’re very happy with it.

[clanter]

@ElementFarm

Clanter, for sure, knows his stuff.

we have a Ghost system. Keypad outside the gate, sensor strip inside. We have a solar panel and battery setup. It works great, and I feel much better knowing that if my horses get loose, they’re confined to the property. I read reviews of several brands before I settled on Ghost. So far (its been about 6 months) we’re very happy with it.

Ghost is the company the former CEO of GTO/Mighty Mule started after Nortek was sold to Melrose… he walked out of the one office, across town (Tallahassee, FL) and started Ghost that day (or before).

My personal experience with the CEO was not, well not good. I worked for him when he was positioning GTO to be acquired by Norket… I was there to add value to the company once they had their offer in hand I was sent an email that I was no longer working for them with instructions to return all company property. .My reply was “Everything ?” and how? They responded Everything, just send it collect. Well. following instructions to upmost I did. A good friend of mine owned a distribution company I went there acquired (sending GTO the bill) twenty four pallets then put some stuff on each pallet, wrapped it ; label it Do Not Stack then call a freight company that Does Not Normally service Tallahassee and shipped the “load” back with a note here is Everything.

I do not know anything about the Ghost line other than I would think they would have known what Not to do using their history at GTO as a resource.

[SugarCubes]

Thanks, all! @clanter do you mind if I PM you as I get further down this rabbit hole with questions or suggestions?

@Jarpur We’re at the end of a dead-end road with only three other house nearby, so not much risk for theft fortunately.

Honestly, the main reason we’re installing the fence is to keep delivery trucks from flying down our driveway, they’ve almost hit our dogs several times. The big sign to leave packages at the top of the driveway apparently gets ignored!

@ElementFarm How does someone without the code contact you for access? Did you install it yourself or have it professionally installed?

[ElementFarm]

@SugarCubes

Thanks, all!
@ElementFarm How does someone without the code contact you for access? Did you install it yourself or have it profesionally installed?

we gave the gate code to UPS, the feed store, friends, etc. We made the mistake of giving everyone the same code. It means having to change it for everyone if we ever want to remove someone’s access.

originally, DH said he could install it. After having the components sit around for nearly a year, I got tired of nagging and waiting. I called a local handymen who specializes in gate installs he did the whole thing in half a day, and only cost a few hundred dollars. well worth it!