Mighty Mule Gate Opener problem

[stanward]

I have a MM FM502 gate opener and the FM143 gate lock. Sometimes the gate opener forgets to unlock the gate lock when opening the gate, thus causing the gate to stall and bind.

I temporarily removed the center pin of the gate lock to prevent the binding when opening.

Anyone else experience this problem. The problem occurs approximately 1 out of 10 operations.


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[VocaTexas]

I've never used the automatic lock on a Mighty Mule. The way I see it, either you can open the gate, in which case the auto-lock can be opened too, or you can't open the gate, and the lock isn't really needed anyway.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

I went through two electric MM gate locks, each lasting 2-3 months before I scrapped the idea. Like all MM products they are junk. On one the solenoid burnt up, on the second it corroded internally. For outdoor products they do a terrible job of weatherproofing their stuff.

I'd scrap the electric lock idea or locate a different manufacturer for a lock.

There's a reason why MM products are 1/4 the price of other electric gate products.

 

[SteveCh]

Amazes me MM keeps selling these things. Well, to be true, I bought one. Then I spent the next two years fixing it often. I got really good at disassembling the actuator arm. It is like a toy inside. And, yes, my lock malfunctioned sometimes. I gave the thing to a neighbor for parts after spending so much time repairing it. His lasted no longer than mine, and now he has two junkers sitting in his garage. I replaced mine with an Apollo maybe five years ago and never looked back. By the way, the lock device will also work with the Apollo. I never hooked it back up, though, due to its occasional malfunction.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I never thought about needing a lock with a electric gate, I guess the wind would beat on the gears.

 

[Timpala]

My MM is also junk. I've fought it for years as it consumes 12v batteries like candy. I was amazed at the tiny motor in the control arms considering the amount of noise it makes while cycling.

I appreciate the tip on Apollo openers, maybe this is the year that I finally toss the MM in the dumpster.

 

[stanward]

I guess I am lucky. I had mine for 1.5 years now with the only malfunction of the gate lock.

I don't know if it's the gate lock itself or if it's the control board not activating the gate lock.


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[38Chevy454]

I have the same MM gate opener, and needed a lock so my dogs could not push it open. I found a 12v solenoid actuated lock on ebay that has worked pretty good. Only real problem is if it rains and then freezes the lock slide will freeze in place and won't retract. Then the gate tries to open and stalls like you are experiencing.

The MM lock seemed quite cheap and poor in comparison to mine, although mine is still cheap. The lock does not prevent a person just pushing the slide in by hand. It does keep my dogs from pushing on the gate and with slop in the opener and mounting, so it does prevent them from getting out.

edit: here is the lock I have:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-AL...140193?hash=item2a5d7d9ee1:g:W-UAAOSwnipWaQki

 

[SteveCh]

Only real problem is if it rains and then freezes the lock slide will freeze in place and won't retract. Then the gate tries to open and stalls like you are experiencing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-AL...140193?hash=item2a5d7d9ee1:g:W-UAAOSwnipWaQki

We get lots of snow and ice here. Some rain, though usually not during freezing spells. I took a piece of scrap aluminum angle, about 3 x 3 inches maybe, and bent it slightly open from 90 degrees. Drilled some holes in the post above the lock and mounted the aluminum piece there as a mini "shed roof" which keeps the snow and ice from the lock mechanism.

 

[rattle_snake]

Check the wiring for corrosion at the circuit board. sometimes just re-terminating the wires will help intermittent issues. Is it possible there is a force on the gate that makes it hard for the lock to actuate?

I'm surprised at how robust the pair of MM system are on my road. they get cycled 50+ times a day and have needed minimal maintenance over the years.

 

[stanward]

Check the wiring for corrosion at the circuit board. sometimes just re-terminating the wires will help intermittent issues. Is it possible there is a force on the gate that makes it hard for the lock to actuate?



I'm surprised at how robust the pair of MM system are on my road. they get cycled 50+ times a day and have needed minimal maintenance over the years.

I removed the pin for the gate lock. At times, I don't hear the gate lock actuate. It's either the control board forgetting to send the 12V or the gate lock itself is defective.

I checked in the control board enclosure for water ingress. None.

I can retighten the screw terminals.

 

[rattle_snake]

Use a multi meter to determine if relay on board is outputting 12V when it should. If it always does, then it is the lock is defective.

 

[stanward]

I'm finally had a chance to test the MM gate lock. I couldn't get it to not open when providing 12v to it. I did measure the current draw, 4.5A max. I am unsure if the current draw is correct for the unit or not.


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[lakeroadster]

Like all MM products they are junk.

Opinions vary...

I had a Mighty Mule opener at our last home, used it for 10 years, flawless operation.

 

[wimpy_mule]

I have a MM FM502 gate opener and the FM143 gate lock. Sometimes the gate opener forgets to unlock the gate lock when opening the gate, thus causing the gate to stall and bind.

I temporarily removed the center pin of the gate lock to prevent the binding when opening.

Anyone else experience this problem. The problem occurs approximately 1 out of 10 operations.


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There are common problems and one weird one.

When the gate is closed, there should be some tension - the operator holds the gate closed with slight force. Most commonly something has reduced this force or it is even loading against the FM143 lock. This makes the FM 143 unable to unlock since it's loaded and binding against the lock pin.
Solution: fix any mechanical issue with the operator or lock mounting. Reset the closing limit.

The solendoid/mechanicals can be dirty or sticking and cause a lag in actuation. Again, if the operator moves the gate before the latch is clear of the pin, it'll bind. Clean/lube it.

The last and odd problem is mostly with the older units that didn't have the lock control built into the control board(the FM500/502 are fine). With the old setups you would have to use the add on lock control board. There was a potentiometer that allowed you to adjust the dwell time of the lock. 1.5-2 seconds is fine for most setups. However, if you left it at a longer active time of 5-10 seconds, you would not only use unnecessary battery power but you would also greatly increase the amount of magnetizing that you are doing to the housing! I couldn't figure out why the lock mechanism was "sticky" even though I disassembled, cleaned & lubed. Then my screwdriver stuck to the body of the lock assembly. Years of overuse magnetized the housing.

Solution? Fabricate a de-gaussing coil, heat until red, fabricate a new housing or just buy a new one.

Preventive: Periodically swap the polarity on the gate lock leads.

 

[seagravedriver]

I am stuck with a MM as well, as the home we bought already had it in place. I saw Apollo mentioned. Are there any other good ones out there? I will gladly pay more for something that works well.

Mine latches less than half the time, short cycles, among other things.

 

[wimpy_mule]

I am stuck with a MM as well, as the home we bought already had it in place. I saw Apollo mentioned. Are there any other good ones out there? I will gladly pay more for something that works well.

Mine latches less than half the time, short cycles, among other things.

Make sure there is not slop in the hinges, mounts and operator attachement points then reset the closing limit. Make sure it is solidly closed, slightly loaded against the lock. When you grab the gate by hand, pull it open an inch and when you let go it should spring shut solidly.

TBH, if the MM has major issues that I can't fix with parts laying around or less than $5 and an hour, I'm going to jump ship - probably to Apollo. A friend has had zero issues for 17 years.

 

[seagravedriver]

WIMPY__MULE, that is GOOD solid info! I will try it. 5 to 8 times a day is the typical cycle count. What is happening here is project creep. Too much stuff going on. There is getting to be wear on the hinges.

 

[dcg9381]

I haven't used the locking feature, but I've owned a mighty mule gate opener. In 9 years, I replaced the main board (green to blue) at least 4 times. Of those times, only 1 time was due to something external (near by lightening strike). I replaced the arm 2-3 times.
Basically, I'd never buy one of these "consumer grade" openers ever again...

 

[TLCObsession]

My partner has an equestrian facility - I installed gates at the entrance and exit. Simple tube steel ranch gates - no binding. Oversized and went with MM360 openers. They see a lot of traffic. Guessing 50 cycles a day. On power with a battery for backup. The housings have been modified with more drainage holes.

I have had issues with the Rev Counter boards. One thing I noticed is that the inside of the housing has black all over it. The back side of the main board has a black sooty substance on it. I suspect carbon from the brushes. Now I am wondering if the optical sensor on the board is just getting blocked. I am going to go out and try cleaning one of the boards with a toothbrush to see if that helps. Not sure if anyone else has experienced that kind of an issue.

 

[stanward]

The problem I have is the connector for the rev board gets slight corrosion due to the high humidity here in Hawaii.

Next time my rev board needs the contacts to be cleaned, I plan on soldering a different connector onto the board.


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[chrisfromwa]

Hello,
I've been having the exact same issue as the OP.
I have a Might Mule MM571W and the also their Auto Lock.

It worked for a couple months, but now it randomly doesn't want to release when opening causing the arm to bind. It will finally open on the 2nd or 3rd try. Which I'm sure is going to wear out the arm.

For the others who are having this issue, did you find a fix?

 

[dcg9381]

Assuming the lock isn't binding (no pressure on it), I don't have good answers.
MM had decent support. Might try them. They will work with you and are pretty sharp with diagnostics.

Like others, I went through a TON of these damn MM gate openers. Boards just "died", they had new versions, arms died, etc. I spent a LOT of money on MM systems over 10 years. Not *all* failures were product failures, but 90% of them were. My advice: Get a real commercial system long term.

 

[tarmy]

I had MM gates openers and had nothing but problems…finally switched to LiftMaster commercial series and friggin love it. way way better than MM…never again with their ****.