Electric Gate Opener

[joeframer]

I just installed a mighty mule (350)single gate opener for a customer today with the solar panel battery charger. The charging light is not on. Does any one know if this is normal with a fully charged battery or should the charging light be on as long as the sun is out.

[VancouverIslander]

I can't speak to that particular system, but a great many battery charging systems have a metering system that detects when the battery has reached an optimal charge level and will stop charging at that time. Battery charging creates heat and heat is the enemy of most batteries.

[mailes]

We installed the dual with two batteries and the light is on all the time; sometimes flashing fast and sometimes slow. 1-800-543-1236 gto tech support dept.

[mailes]

We're using a solar panel and not the transformer at all.
And, actually, I think the red charging light is on at night too, but I'll check tonight and post the results manana.

Here's the battery info from page 36 of the manual on troubleshooting:
For the 502 green board that we have.

Charge (red) ON
Fast Charging Mode
Battery Voltage should be ~14.8 VDC when connected to the circuit board
Charge (red) Fast Blinking
Soak Charging Mode
Battery Voltage should be ~14.1 VDC when connected to the circuit board
Charge (red) Slow Blinking
Float Charge
Battery Voltage should be ~13.8 VDC when connected to the circuit board
Charge (red) OFF
Battery Not Being Charged
AC power
Transformer
Solar Panel
Charging Circuit

[joeframer]

Thanks, I edited to say ... Mighty Mule 350 Single gate opener.

[mailes]

According to this manual for the fm350 I found online (with the REV.E Control Board):

http://www.mightymule.com/PDF/Manuals/FM...peners.pdf

OFFICIAL MIGHTY MULE OWNERS MANUAL WEBSITE:
http://www.mightymule.com/mighty-mule-ga...anuals.htm

It says the same thing as for ours. The light is always on, steady, slow blink or fast blink.

The only difference is, there is an inline fuse for yours....maybe that's kapoot.

NO SPLICING the wire from the solar panel to the connection...especially if you've gone with the 16ga 12v direct burial wire from Home Depot.

Also, you CANNOT use the transformer AND a solar panel.

There's a diode on the board to keep the battery from overcharging.

I forgot to see if the light is on at night...I'll check tonight..dangit