Jul 1, 2010
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Mighty Mule FM500 Automatic Gate Opener for Heavy Duty Single
Price: $439.00
The Mighty Mule FM500 Single Gate Opener is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade swing gate opener that is very easy to install. Ideal for gates weighing up to 850 lbs. or up to 18ft. long. This 12 Volt, DC-powered low-voltage system is powerful, dependable and durable. U.S.A. Application: Swing gate opener, Works With: Single gate, Capacity (lbs.): 850, Length (ft.): 18
Mighty Mule FM500 Automatic Gate Opener for Heavy Duty Single Swing Gates
Features
- Mighty Mule FM500 is the best-selling DIY gate opener in America, and it is known for its ability to work well on a wide variety of swing gates, from chain link to tube gates to wrought iron
- Easy to install in 2-3 hours. Comes with an installation video and detailed installation manual, as well as all mounting hardware
- Comes with many safety features, including Soft Start Soft Stop, Obstruction Sensing Systems, adjustable Gate Activation Alert, and two warning signs
- Provides a Maximum of 200 cycles per day with an AC transformer, and features a standard Battery Backup
- Designed for gates that open into or away from the property
User Reviews
I strongly recommend to all readers to NOT buy Mighty Mule products. I have had nothing but problems with mine. Ineffective customer service on the part of GTO, AKA, Gates That Open, LLC of Tallahassee, FL., perpetuated my problem.
Here's a short version of my very long story dealing with this company:
I had a professional install a fence around my property with a gate and the Mighty Mule 502 gate opener. The unit worked for about the first 12 months. Thereafter, I had constant problems with it. After countless phone calls and time on the phone with GTO service technicians, I was asked to return the master control arm. They tested the unit and sent it back. They didn't tell me they sent back the original arm. I presumed they sent me a new arm. I continued to have problems with this arm for more than 6 months. During this period, the gate would not work. Finally, I wrote them a letter with my complaint. They had me re-send in the master control arm. I was then told the counter in that arm was not working, that I was sent back the same arm the previous time, and that they were sending me a USED master control arm. Why they didn't send me a new one I do not know. This used arm worked for about two months, and then it stopped working at all. On August 2, 2010, I sent a letter of complaint to the President of Gates That Open, LLC of Tallahassee, FL. The next day I received a call from a technician promising to send me a return authorization at their expense to ship the entire system back to them. As of August 6, 2010, this has not happened, and I have not received any response to my Emails or phone calls about this return. Further, one has to wonder why they wouldn't replace my system with an entirely new system.
It just isn't worth the money or the hassle to get involved with GTO products. I hope none of you have to go through what I have with this firm. -- Mighty Mule 502---Don't Buy it
The guy who mentioned having problems with the relays was spot on. Our gate started going flakey and then just stopped working and MM tech support was really bad. My father-in-law is an electrician and traced the problem to the relays. After spending about $40 on 40 amp relays (available at the car shop) and other pieces and rewiring the circuit board the product not works fine. I wouldn't buy this product unless you can confirm that MM has fixed this defect. -- Circuit board not reliable
I have an FM500 with the "green" board.
I bought the FM500 after reading reviews of the FM350 having problems opening marginally sized gates.
My gate is about 12' wide and weighs 140lbs. The FM500 is rated to open about 4x more gate than I have.
Problems:
1) Honestly, I dropped the gate arm about 2' during install. It broke internally. I called GTO, being honest that I had "broken it".
The sold me a refurb arm for a bit over $250. The refurb worked fine.
2) I have a larger solar panel. The panel is 50 watt. Connecting this panel eventually fried the battery charge control circuit and the battery went dead. GTO instructions show no limits of solar panels - and actually show 3 10 watt panels connected in the install manual. 50 watts is about 4 amps at 12v. Luckily, the charge circuit appears to be separate and I replaced it with an independent charge controller.
3) Install issue: 2-3 consecutive cloudy days and my opener is dead. Added a 2nd battery for more storage. I use the gate 2-4 times per day. This solved the battery capacity issue.
4) My gate started not closing. Online troubleshooting is good - I have a "limit switch" problem with my gate arm. There is a 6 month warranty on the refurbished arm. I'm trying to get information to see if I'm covered by my credit card extended warranty. I can reach customer support via email, but as of right now, I've been on hold to "sales" for 48 minutes! Yes, 48 minutes on hold.
There are no details online on replacing limit switches.
I've asked for a price break on a 3rd gate arm, but am not having any luck. -- Works out of the box - but not robust or particularly reliable
I installed one of these for my grandmother 4 years ago about the time several other people were doing the same (rural area) , after 1 year we had the only functioning unit on our whole road.. You can drive down our street and see 10+ of these openers disconnected because they are broken down. The main circuit board is cheap. The limiting and range of motion system is cheap. The batteries are garbage. Hers broke down 6 months ago and have went through all the usual stuff with it. For the past year she has had to buy a new mighty mule battery for it once per month just to keep it running. This winter it finally failed, gate will close but refuses to open. I would not recommend this product to anyone whatsoever, spend a little more cash and get an Apollo or other quality system..
as a note home depot in my area has stopped carrying these... -- Piece of JUNK - DO NOT BUY
Mighty Mule FM352 Gate Opener For Dual Gates Up to 16-Feet Long and 550-Pounds
This is the second Mighty Mule opener I have owned. I got about three years out of the first one and had to buy a new closer mechanism. The second opener I bought for my mother is two years old and it has stopped working. I called Mighty mule and waited for twenty minutes on hold and gave up. I emailed them and they replied by email and referred me to the on line instructions, ignoring my question. I tried everything in the trouble shooter but it still did not work. I emailed them again and it has now been approximately five days and still no reply.
Mighty Mule used to have good customer service but no more, at least not in my experience. As for the product itself, about what you would expect for the money. I priced gate openers from local fence companies and the price was over 2,000. installed. For that price you can go through four or five Mighty Mule openers so it balances out. One thing to consider is that the expensive gate openers can go out too or get a lightning strike and instead of a few hundred you are looking at over 2,ooo. So pick your poison. -- Poor Customer Service
