The Complete Guide to Solar Gate Openers

If you're sick and tired of having to get out of your car in the hellish Australian summer or in the dead of winter just to wrangle the gate to your farm or ranch open, there's a solution to your first world problems - solar powered farm gates. It's a great feeling - sitting comfortably in your car while the gate opens and closes itself. These practical devices that automate the process of opening and closing gates come in a wide range of shapes and forms, suitable for all types of properties. Some of the most popular ones are swing gate openers, sliding gate openers, single and two leaf gate openers. That being said, there are quite a few different things you need to consider before deciding on the ideal gate opener for your property, in order to ensure you get the ideal solution that meets your needs.

Quality of Materials the Gate is Made of

Before you open up your wallet and purchase a solar powered gate opener, you should shop around and find gate openers that feature gate motors made of high-quality materials, as well as all the mounting hardware, brackets and other accessories that come with it. All of the materials used should be able to withstand the climate the gate will be placed in, and it needs to meet the application's needs. In other words, solar powered farm gates don't need to be as strong or tall as solar powered ranch gates, since there won't be any livestock attempting to go through or over it.

The Warranty and Guarantees Matter

Generally, the best way to know that something is of good quality is by ensuring it comes with a lengthy warranty. Basically, the warranty assures you that the manufacturer is fully standing behind their product. And no matter how maintenance-free solar powered gate openers are, they're still prone to damage and faults. As a result, you should look for some level of protection in the form of warranty before buying a solar powered gate opener. While the warranty period can range greatly, you should look for manufacturers or suppliers that offer at least a few years of warranty.

Waterproofness and Temperature Range

Since we live on the warmest continent on the planet, you need to make sure the gate opener is made to work in extreme weather conditions. For that reason, you should look for solar powered gates manufactured by Australian-based brands. The water resistance properties of the gate opener should also not be compromised on. Since the gate opener and most of its mechanisms are going to be exposed to the weather, you want a model whose effectiveness won't be compromised by bad weather.


As briefly aforementioned, there are a few different types of solar powered gate openers you can choose from - swing, sliding, single leaf and dual leaf gate openers. 

Swing gates are the type of gates that operate just like the front door of your house - they swing back and forth, or in and out. This allows you to apply them to both small and large areas. There's a swing operator by the side that extends an arm to the gate. The biggest benefit of these gates is their affordable price compared to other types of gates. Swing gates provide a classic appeal to your property, and they can be operated with a battery that allows them to work even without a functioning gate motor.

Sliding gates can be used in a wide range of ways, making them applicable for a wide range of scenarios. You can use them as driveway fence gates, ranch gates, farm gates, etc. They're basically an advanced form of the sliding doors used in homes. They're easy to operate (usually with a remote), and you can connect them on a smart device. These gates offer maximum protection for your property, and they can significantly improve your curb appeal which can increase the value of your house. These gates work great with motor and battery systems.

Single and dual leaf gate openers are the most common type of gate openers. Commercial, as well as residential users,  have developed a great interested in these gate openers due to their simple operating nature. Dual leaf gate openers come with a double operating system, dual control boards, two pairs of photocells, double receivers, and an interface for master and slave mechanism. These openers are recommended if you have a small gate, simply because their swing distance is relatively small. As a result, leaf gate openers offer elegance to your property.

Regardless of which type of gate opener you end up going for, you'll need to determine the dimensions, weight and type of your gate. This will help narrow down your choice to something that's within your budget. Most gate openers are easy to install, so you probably won't need to pay extra money for the installation. All you have to do is consider your specific variables and pick the most suitable gate opener for your property to reap the benefits.

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