Protecting your home, possessions, and especially your family is a top-priority task for anyone. Employing security guards sounds fantastic but not everyone can afford the drastic methods. Investing in gates with an MIGHTY MULE 500 system is a way easier solution. It not only strengthens the safety of your house and property but also adds more comfort to your driving experience.
The market reacts quickly to the needs of customers. Today, you can make a choice between slide and swing, single and double gate opener system. Besides, each model varies in quality performance and additional features. Moreover, the installation is comparatively easy. Usually, it does not require welding works or the employment of specialized wire workers. As a rule, the manufacturers provide installation manuals that come together with the gates and openers. The manual provides detailed instructions so that installing the opener yourself is relatively easy.
It is crucial to take all necessary protective measures prior to installing electric gate openers. This type of gates prompts a high level of power, and the protection measures have to be taken throughout the entire installation process. In this write-up, I will do my best to give all details on choosing and installing the product successfully and safely. This article also covers the best three models according to my research and analysis.
How Electric Gate Openers Work
Automatic gate systems, as their name suggests, work in a way that allows opening and closing your gates with minimal actions. In practice, this looks like this. To activate the gate door opener, you need to simply press the remote transmitter installed in your car. The transmitted signal activates the power gate opener mechanism immediately. After you have passed through the gate, one more press on the transmitter will close the gate. There is also a popular function that prevents leaving the gate open accidentally. If you forget to press the remote transmitter the second time, the gate opener will automatically close the gate a minute after opening. This adds to the safety functions of the device.
The gate openers available in the market use either the power supply coming from the house, the solar panels powers, or the power back-up provided by batteries. Many models allow connecting to all three sources thus guaranteeing stable operation.
The mechanism of the motorized gate depends on its type: sliding or swinging. Below, I will explain their main peculiarities and differences.
Types of Automatic Gate Openers
Understanding the general difference between types of gate openers will make the process of choosing one much easier. There are two major types of automatic gate openers:
1.) Slide gate openers
2.) Swing gate openers (one-piece and two-piece gates)
Slide Gate Openers
The mechanism of sliding gate openers works on a motorized gear wheel. It enables the gate to move to a right of left direction thus opening or closing the driveway. The simple mechanism consists of two wheels and a gear track installed on the gate. When activated, it lets the gate move in a sliding manner, which has given it its name.
Swing Gate Openers
The mechanism of the swing-type gate openers includes electric RAM arms that perform an in-and-out movement. They are connected to the gate and its posts. When activated, the mechanism swings the gate on the hinges.
Basically, this works the same way as any typical door in your house, except for the movement is automatic.
Swing gate openers divide into single and double types, depending on the type of swing gates you have. Single-piece swing gates are usually less expensive. They require less hardware since the gate has only one leaf. However, two-piece openers are often a more popular choice. Double gates possess a more traditional look and are available in various sizes. When choosing the swinging gate opener, make sure you pay attention to the number of leaves it is designed for.
Swing gate openers divide into single and double types, depending on the type of swing gates you have. Single-piece swing gates are usually less expensive. They require less hardware since the gate has only one leaf. However, two-piece openers are often a more popular choice. Double gates possess a more traditional look and are available in various sizes. When choosing the swinging gate opener, make sure you pay attention to the number of leaves it is designed for.
How to Choose an Electric Gate Opener
To make the process of choosing between various models, I recommend using this checklist as your guide. When you have made clear all the points for yourself, making a final decision should not be a problem.
1. Type
Analyze the peculiarities of slide and swing gate openers that I have described above. If you are only planning to buy a new gate to protect your property, take into consideration the space available. The landscape also determines the suitable gate opener type. For instance, sliding electric gates are generally better for sloping landscapes and limited spaces.
Analyze the peculiarities of slide and swing gate openers that I have described above. If you are only planning to buy a new gate to protect your property, take into consideration the space available. The landscape also determines the suitable gate opener type. For instance, sliding electric gates are generally better for sloping landscapes and limited spaces.
2. Size
It is necessary to take into account the size of the gate you already have or are planning to buy. If it is a two-piece gate, make sure you know the size of each of the leaves. The size of the columns is crucial as well. Even the materials play their role: extra heavy gate would require a more powerful automatic gate closer.
It is necessary to take into account the size of the gate you already have or are planning to buy. If it is a two-piece gate, make sure you know the size of each of the leaves. The size of the columns is crucial as well. Even the materials play their role: extra heavy gate would require a more powerful automatic gate closer.
3. Power
Think about how you plan to power your gate opener. If you want to choose an AC powered model, check if electricity is available in the place where the gate opener will be located. Note, that the size of your gate also influences the amount of power used by the automatic gate opener. You can also check the eco-friendly solar panels that can supply some of the models with enough power for operation.
Think about how you plan to power your gate opener. If you want to choose an AC powered model, check if electricity is available in the place where the gate opener will be located. Note, that the size of your gate also influences the amount of power used by the automatic gate opener. You can also check the eco-friendly solar panels that can supply some of the models with enough power for operation.
4. Extra safety features
The biggest part of the models available now include the stop-and-reverse feature. It uses the infrared photobeams to detect if the gate is about to contact an obstacle when moving. This prevents any damage to people and property. Underground loop detectors that detect metal object nearby provide extra safety in preventing collisions. An Auto-close function will guarantee your gate is closed even if you have forgotten to press the remote control for closing the gate.
The biggest part of the models available now include the stop-and-reverse feature. It uses the infrared photobeams to detect if the gate is about to contact an obstacle when moving. This prevents any damage to people and property. Underground loop detectors that detect metal object nearby provide extra safety in preventing collisions. An Auto-close function will guarantee your gate is closed even if you have forgotten to press the remote control for closing the gate.
