Why Mighty Mule Battery Not Charging?

If you have a mighty mule battery and it is not charging then we have a complete guide to help you. Check out the problems, and solutions to fix the charging fix.  This battery is a sustainable choice that is used with a solar panel. It is made with the best material, easy to install, and is resistant to external damage.

Why Is It Not Charging?

Failure of hardware in your gate opener is the prime reason why your battery isn’t working. But Check the following elements to check if your battery fails to work:

1. Charging Circuit

The charging circuit involves the transformer, ammeter, and bridge- rectifier circuit. If any of the three are faulty, the charging of the battery is disturbed.

2. Solar Panel

If the battery is connected to a solar panel, yet doesn’t charge properly, probably it’s because of wrong wiring or fault in the solar panel. In this case, disconnect the solar panel and measure its voltage using a multimeter. The meter will show the measurement as long as there is sunlight present. If the voltage can’t be measured, the solar panel needs to be replaced or fixed. A solar panel can experience damage due to a variety of factors:

• Water and moisture seep into the panel if not regularly maintained, causing a chemical reaction when sunlight falls onto the surface.
• When a solar panel is in function, sunlight fails to reach some parts of the surface, either due to shadowing or covering.
• As a result, the covered part has a much higher temperature than the uncovered. This causes hot spots on the surface, reducing the panel’s service life.
• Even a small crack on the surface results in a slow decay of the panel. It can result in an open circuit failure.

3. Transformer

The function of a transformer is to transfer electricity from one electric circuit to another, or even between multiple circuits. It is also a part of the charging circuit. A solar panel transformer is used since a mighty mule battery works with a solar panel. This type of transformer converts the DC (Direct Current) voltage coming from the solar panel and inverts it into AC (Alternating Current).
One way to check if your transformer is working is to measure its voltage.

4. Battery

Check its capacity if your battery runs out even after fully charging it. If the capacity is too small, it will supply less electricity. Also, check if the battery has experienced any short circuit recently. When the battery is idle for a very long time, it is difficult to charge with a solar panel. Similarly, if there’s no sunlight for a long time, it’ll be difficult to charge the battery.

To checklist the above elements, you should have a basic idea about electronics. For precision, use a multimeter to make some measurements. It is a measuring instrument that can measure voltage, resistance, and current. It is a handy tool for any electrical purpose. After analyzing all the elements, you would get to know if either of them requires replacement.

Solutions

As you’ve known the cause, it’s time to fix it. Follow these methods to recover your mighty mule battery:

a. Replacing The Battery Charger

This method can work well for a Mighty Mule FM500 single gate opener. Unplug the transformer and disconnect the wires from the circuit board. Temporarily connect an external charger. You can use a Harbor Freight trickle charger or even a Battery Tender charger. You might notice, after each cycle, the battery would drop back.

To solve this, you can install a solar panel or take the wires which previously came from the transformer and connect them directly to the battery. Plugin the Harbor Freight where the transformer was earlier plugged in. As the result, the transformer is eliminated, by-passing the built-in charger.

b. Using A Solar Panel Of HF

It becomes difficult to charge the battery due to a damaged solar panel Solar panels are made of silicon photovoltaic cells. When exposed to light, silicon’s silicon dioxide layer absorbs solar energy. This converts the photons from the sunlight into free electrons. However, impurities and oxides may interfere with the process.

To prevent such interference use Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) for cell fabrication. The HF creates a structure on the surface, making the photons stay on the surface of the panel longer without causing any damage. This process is called texturization.

c. Use A Battery With The Right Capacity

If the battery runs out even after charging it properly, use a battery with voltage enough to sustain for a long. The service life of the battery is generally two to three years. If your battery is older than three years, it requires replacement. A damaged battery pack can also result in a faulty battery. Reach out to your vendor and ask for a replacement. You must ensure that there is enough sunlight for the battery to work, as not getting enough sunlight can hamper its functioning.

d. Reset The Solar Charge Controller

The solar charge controller might be faulty or wired the wrong way. In this case, the system must be reset. Reset means restoration of the solar charge controller to the default factory setting. It includes restoration of system voltage, output voltage, and other features. Disconnect the solar system and rewire it. Follow the necessary instructions to restore the factory settings.

What Is The Battery life?

The average service life of an average mighty mule battery is three to five years. Moreover, the battery is made to last long. So, you probably won’t have to change the battery from the time you purchase it, till it completes three years of service. If the battery breaks down before the period, you can contact the support customer service of Mighty Mule. It also comes with long-lasting warranties, depending upon the vendor.

If the battery stops charging within one year, it’s best to check the solar panel or the control box. With the proper charge, it provides technical support for up to 24 hours. It’s advisable to first look for external faults before you decide to replace the entire battery. There are specific circumstances as to when you must finally replace it.

Replace the battery if:

• The circuit board elements and the cables are not working
• The battery pack is damaged.
• If it has crossed its life expectancy. This is a budget-friendly approach since it’s a waste to spend money on an old battery.
• If it has experienced a short- circuit. Usually, any battery that ‘short-circuits’ isn’t worth mending.

How to Get Battery Replacement?

The FM150 can be used as a replacement battery for Mighty Mule. And average FM150 has a voltage of 12v and 17amp/hour. It is a completely maintenance-free battery. It is the only battery approved to use with Mighty Mule. Although, it shouldn’t be used with the Mighty mule FM250. To get your battery replaced, consult the customer service of the company.

As the battery comes with a long-term warranty, you’ll get a replacement with little to no expenditure. You can even replace the charger used for the battery. You can use a Harbor Freight Trickle charger. If you’re unsure about the HF charger, use a Battery Tender charger.

Final Talk

There are several reasons as to why your Mighty Mule Battery isn’t charging. As you can see, the problem is rarely with the battery. Most of the time, it’s due to an external hardware issue. It is important to make a thorough check before replacing the entire battery. Sometimes, the problem can be fixed instantly, without any professional help. If you don’t rely on yourself with the technicalities, always consult a professional. Follow the steps to prevent any damage to your battery.