MIGHTY MULE FM123 10 Watt Solar Powered Battery Charger Instruction Manual
- June 21, 2024
- Mighty Mule
Table of Contents
MIGHTY MULE FM123 10 Watt Solar Powered Battery Charger
Specifications
- Product Name: FM123 10 Watt Solar Powered Battery Charger
- Compatibility: Mighty Mule DC Powered Gate Openers
- Output Voltage: Variable, up to 22 volts
- Output Current: Up to 300mA
- Wire Requirement: Up to 250 ft. of stranded, 16 gauge, direct burial, low-voltage wire [RB509]
Product Usage Instructions
- Position the curved pipe between the pre-drilled holes on the back side of the frame. Place the two pipe clamps over the curved pipe and secure it with nuts and bolts using the wrench and a Phillips head screwdriver.
- Determine the installation site for the solar panel ensuring it faces the sun directly. Secure the solar panel assembly to a wooden post or fence using pipe clamps and lag bolts. Use alternative hardware if mounting on a metal post.
- Ensure secure and moisture-resistant splices for solar panels using appropriate splice kits. Clean the panel frequently with a soft, damp cloth for optimal efficiency.
- Ensure the control box is OFF. Feed the free end of the solar panel wires into the control box following the instructions based on your specific control board.
FAQ
- Q: What should I do if the solar panel output is lower than expected?
- A: Check the angle of the panel towards the sun and clean it regularly for optimal performance. Ensure proper wiring and connections.
- Q: Can I use the solar panel and AC transformer simultaneously?
- A: No, using both simultaneously can damage the control board. Use either the solar panel or AC transformer at a time.
- Q: Where can I find additional support for wiring my control board?
- A: Refer to your gate opener Installation Manual or contact the Technical Service Department at 800-421-1587 for assistance.
Compatible with Mighty Mule DC Powered Gate Openers.
Parts Included
- A. Solar Panel
- B. Lag Bolts (4)
- C. Pipe Clamps (4)
- D. Curved Pipe
- E. Nuts (4)
- F. Bolts (4)
- G. Wire Nuts (2)
- H. Wrench
Tools Required
- Phillips head screwdriver
Installation Instructions
STEP 1: Position the curved pipe (D) between the pre-drilled holes on the back side of the frame and place the two pipe clamps (C) over the curved pipe. Use the wrench supplied and a phillips head screwdriver secure with nuts (E) and Bolts (F) as shown in the illustration below.
STEP 2: Determine the installation site for the solar panel.
IMPORTANT
- Place the panel facing due south in the path of the sun.
- The solar panel must be placed in an open area away from shade.*
- The solar panel should receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight for a full charge.
- Mount the panel using the curved pipe provided to maintain the proper angle to the sun.
Secure the solar panel assembly to a wooden post or fence using two pipe
clamps (C) and four lag bolts (B) as shown in the illustration. If your fence
post is metal, you will need alternative hardware not provided, (e.g.,
U-clamps or metal screws).
If the solar panel must be placed more than 10 ft. from the control box to
receive direct sunlight, you can use up to 250 ft. of stranded, 16 gauge,
direct burial, low-voltage wire [RB509]. NEVER use telephone wire or solid
core wire.
IMPORTANT: To provide secure and moisture-resistant splices for solar panels use a direct burial splice kit for underground splices and an above- ground splice kit for above-ground splices. These splice kits can be found at hardware and electrical supply stores.
For optimal efficiency, wipe the face of the panel frequently with a soft,
damp cloth.
The output of the Solar Panel is variable during the day depending on the
intensity of the sun and the angle of the rays striking the panel. The output
may vary from a few millivolts to as much as 22 volts. To check the output,
simply disconnect the solar panel leads from the control board and connect
them directly to a DC voltmeter. In bright sunlight, the panel output should
read at least 18 volts DC at approximately 300mA.
STEP 4: Make sure the control box is OFF. Feed the free end of the solar
panel wires into the control box and attach them to the appropriate terminals
on the control board. The RED solar panel wire goes to the (+) POSITIVE Solar
terminal and the BLUE solar panel wire goes to the (–) NEGATIVE Solar
terminal. Improper installation of these wires will damage the opener’s
control board.
Examples of solar terminals on various control boards are on page 4. If you do
not see an illustration of your control board below, please refer to your gate
opener Installation Manual for instructions on wiring the control board. Or
you may call the Technical Service Department at
800-421-1587 for assistance.
NEVER USE THE SOLAR PANEL AND THE AC TRANSFORMER AT THE SAME TIME! It will
damage the control board.
Solar Panels connect in PARALLEL
- All connections should be made weatherproof using weatherproof splice kits available at hardware and electrical supply stores.
WARRANTY
MIGHTY MULE LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted to the original consumer (“You”) by Nice North
America against defects in material and workmanship for twelve (12) months
from the date of purchase. This limited warranty only extends to you if the
item was purchased directly from Nice North America or through an authorized
sales partner. Nice North America will, at its option, either repair or
replace any product that it confirms is defective and eligible for service
under this warranty and will return the repaired or replaced product to you at
Nice North America’s cost. This warranty does not apply to damage to the
product from negligence, abuse, abnormal usage, misuse, accidents, acts of
god, normal wear and tear, failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions,
or arising from improper installation, storage, or maintenance. Some states do
not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental and consequential damages,
so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from
state to state. To be protected by this warranty, a copy of the receipt or
other valid proof of purchase must be provided with any product that is being
repaired or replaced under this warranty. To initiate warranty service for
your product, please contact Tech Services at
800-421-1587 for a Return Authorization
Number (“RA”) and other important details.
CONTACT
- Mighty Mule Technical Service: 800-421-1587
- For more information about the full line of Mighty Mule Automatic Gate Operators, Gate Openers and
- Access Controls visit
- www.mightymule.com
- Niceforyou.com
©2023 Nice North America LLC.
Mighty Mule is a registered trademark of Nice North America LLC. All rights
reserved.