Curious if anybody has installed or can recommend a automated driveway gate setup?

Have a few driveways Id like to secure out in the country. Could trench power to one and other would likely need to be solar

i initially did a dual gate mighty mule that had the main board go bad and one of the operators getting louder after a year or two.   They wanted $300 + for a replacement board and another couple hundred for the motor .  I knew my setup was hard on them being 16" wide (8 per panel) solid fence pickets so I cant fault them on the motor.    With parts being so high I switched over to Ghost.  Their parts are cheaper and a complete kit was not much more in the long run.   Been up maybe a year and a half and going strong.   Ghost is quieter and faster.   transmitter range is my only real complaint so far

I installed a lot of mighty mules in the oilfield to control access and keep landowners happy.  They worked well on solar, and moving lightweight gate panels.   Snow accumulating and shitty truck drivers were the main issues.
Be advised the ground loop often installed on the exit side can be tripped by a vehicle, or a shovel dragged over it.

I have helped installing a Door King gate system and noticed Liftmaster gate systems are pretty common.  Systems like these have several inputs, allowing for keypads, card readers, and garage door control devices.  On one side of the gate we buried a loop of wire inside a pvc conduit to detect the presence of a vehicle, then open the gate to let vehicles out.  The opener had an electronic eye that would stop the gate from closing when an object is in it's path.

What type of gate are you going with?  A swing gate or sliding gate?  During the winter the sliding gate at the shooting range I belong to occasionally freezes up.  We have to cycle the power on it to clear the limit sensor.  If the gate detects resistance, it assumes an object is obstructing it.

@tyromeo55
Can you take measurements on the ghost?  I have a double gate in a corner of the fence.  The driveway is uphill from that, so the gate needs to open inward.
If I want to have the opener on the inside of the gate, it will need to be pull-to-open, and then fit between the opened gate and the fence.  How much room is required for the ghost control opener doodad mounted on the gate?

My gates also open inward (i think most do). if Im following your question correctly...    From the back face of the gate you'll need a bare minimum of 6" when opened 90 degrees.  If it needs to travel past 90 degrees i believe you'll need more room.    My disclaimer.  I didnt use the factory manual measurements.   I mocked them up to confirm clearance and ran with it after I was happy

I've had my Liftmaster Solar for 8 years now. Had to replace the batteries once, otherwise flawless.

I've heard really good things about those too

I built my own 16' single gate a work back in 2000, used a GTO pro opener, trenched 500' 110v for it, first opener lasted 20yrs, few years ago I replaced it with another GTO pro.
solar will work fine depending how many times you enter/exit.
bought top of the line keypad and exit wand both still in service since 2000.

I have a Liftmaster that has both the keypad and remotes. It has been problem free for many years. At my old house, I had a mighty mule opener, and it was the exact opposite, more trouble than it was worth.

I'm glad yours works, I absolutely hate our Liftmaster. Seems like every 6 weeks there is some sort of problem, and I have had to replace the batteries several times over 7 years. Now, we do have the magnetic lock, so that might have something to do with the battery draw. The soft limits on the open and closed positions seem to creep over time.

When it works, it works well. It's latest issue is the gate will open and immediately close, so you have to open it twice. No idea why, and it's not every time.

Jason

Id go solar, as long as you don't have battery theifs, but you can at least hide and lock a battery box.

12v system 1 12v 110aH battery with a good solar regulator. I like Morningstar and ASC. 12v 12A regulator or so.
24v system, 2 12v 110 batteries in series with regulator mentioned above.
80-100W panel or panels (for 24v) will work.

I think a Rube Goldberg style manual with wires and pulleys would be ideal??

15 years here with an "APOLLO" system. I've changed the batteries ( car type) 3 times IIRC as the solar panel just doesn't quite keep up over time. Every three months I snatch the battery and charge it just for the sake of safety. I've replaced the motherboard once and have another in stock. All in I like the system. Typical "clickers" with wireless options for a "no dig" installation.

What size solar panel? What size solar regulator?

I've had 3 mighty mules over the past 12 or 14 years on the same gate. I will not buy another MM. In winter any ice will cause it to freeze up , they leak water into the unit because where the wires/ cables enter is not sealed. And the control boards are junk.

I bought a Ghost Controls this time and it is faster and much quieter. No idea yet on longevity because it's only been a month and a half.

As another poster had mentioned the GC opener's remote range sucks. I would have to be about 50ft or less for it to work.

I found a video to fix that. Use an extension and mount the antenna higher.

All you need is a length of TV coax and a male-male splice , screws right on. I mounted a 2 ft piece of 1/2" pipe to the post with some conduit clamps , ran the coax down through it , antenna on top. I got it about 4 ft or so higher than it was. I can now operate it from inside the house about 250ft away.

Also I did not use the mounting brackets that came with the GC unit. I already had brackets from the MM and made them work as I was not drilling new holes in the steel post that holds the gate.

I don't have solar as I have 120v to the gate and use a standard lawnmower battery. It works fine.
My cousin uses solar on his and car battery. He's never had a problem with his setup using solar.