Solar vs. AC Powered Gate Openers: Which Is Right for Your Property?
One of the challenges of installing a gate opener is that getting power to your gate is no easy task, involving wiring, checking voltages, sometimes even trenching, with the added thought of "What if I have no way of powering my gate operator?". Having no electrical access at the gate is not a dealbreaker, as all you need is a consistent amount of sunlight for solar power to make a full install possible anywhere on your property! While both power options run off a 12V battery, the difference is how that battery gets charged either by grid power or by solar power, choosing between the two comes down to your location, usage, and budget. Let's take a look at what would be best for your home or business.
How Each System Works
Solar Powered Gate Openers
How a solar panel works is that it collects sunlight and converts it into electricity using the photovoltaic effect, turning it into DC power. This is then converted into AC power when it charges the 12V battery which the gate uses as it cycles off of this stored power. All USAutomatic accessories are designed to be solar-friendly and low energy draw with minimal wiring required, no electrical trenching needed.
Go Solar If...
- You have no electrical access at the gate location
- Your property is rural, remote, or has a long driveway
- Your gate sees low to moderate daily traffic
AC Powered Gate Openers
USAutomatic AC charged gate operators come with a low voltage transformer that plugs into the charge controller and can easily provide 575 cycles of operation a day without decreasing the battery charge. In the event that AC power goes out, the operator will operate for weeks on the battery (if cycles per day are below 20) before needing service. AC Powered Gate Openers may need some light trenching to ensure a stable, secure connection.
Go AC If...
- You already have electrical access near the gate
- You are running a commercial or high-traffic entrance
- You live in a low-sunlight or heavily shaded area
Choosing the Right Solar Panel Size
Every USAutomatic Gate Opener does have an AC or Solar powered variant for both single and dual gates, however if you're wanting to change how your gate opener is powered, it's important to know the right solar panel or AC charger to get.
- Single or Dual Gate, AC Powered: 20V DC Charge Controller
- Single gate, low cycles: 5W panel, typically included with solar kits
- Single gate, moderate to high cycles: 10W Solar Panel Kit
- Dual gate or heavy usage: 20W Solar Panel Kit
- When in doubt, size up, a larger panel never hurts performance
