I bought the MM500 and have had no problems until several rainy days and NO sun. The gate worked for a while but then had no power on the battery.
1558903
I have found it best to run a 10 watt solar panel and double the battery size. If all goes ok I can get about 2 years out of the battery. As others have answered, if the sun is not shinning the solar panel is not charging. When we get an extended period without sun I will pull the battery and charge it with a battery charger
1558904
Do you have a solar charger? Mine is plugged into a charger and never had any problems.
1558905
i have the 10 watt solar panel which is properly charging the battery. Check the charge light inside to make sure it is charging in sunlight. make sure the wires are not reversed as it will not properly charge. Mine has been working for about 5 months
1558906
I have similar issue. Are you using a solar panel to charge your battery? I am calling their support desk tomorrow.
1558907
The battery is not being charged.... You need a bigger solar panel or 110 volt power supply
1242399
I have two of the PW100's and have not had the problem. It is really a simple device. Your battery may not be able to hold a charge or its not able to take a charge. There are two micro-switches and one of these could be bad. You need to make sure the lid is down and latched. The owners manual has a exploded picture of the device. I would contact Suncast, they are very helpful.
1514113
no problem with wind opening the gate, but my actuator has come-off the spiral drive and no longer works, i think it may have happened after some of the nuts and bolts worked themselves loose and took the gate off the 90 degrees setting.
2146257
I wouldn't trust it in open rain/weather. It could always be placed under an upturned flower pot, etc. The battery is not the problem...it only generates a small trickle of water and is likely insufficient for anything but the smallest fountain.
1218702
Most of mine got water from the rain because we have too much in just one month (200+mm). The issue here is that we need to clean and dry every one when it's possible, especially the battery compartment.
1801683
It's generally not safe to ride in the rain. So while I'm happy to respond - my experience is limited. I have been caught in the rain, with the light, and it worked perfectly. It's important to note that I was too aggressive with the rubber USB cover the second or third time I charged the light... and it popped off. My plan was to replace it - but I've been just too busy to get to that "C" list item. In spite of the exposed USB, the light re-charged flawlessly. This is a good value - several friends purchased the same light based on my experience and first hand observations. The charge lasts a long time and the unit is powerful, but not bulky. Good luck and be safe out there.
1160018
No, mine was under an eave and the battery dies within a day or two when it's wet out. The moisture must be shorting it.
200077
Very well. I ride in the rain and have kept it outide during rain. Battery is fine.
1904160
The battery case has NO seals to prevent moisture migration so any exposure to rain, fog, drizzle, etc. is an expensive gamble that you will eventually lose. Once water gets inside, it will short out the undersized PCM module. I ended up repairing/upgrading mine after a light drizzle destroyed the battery as the bike sat parked.
2046884
First check batteries. If OK check for moisture in the light. I have on on my fifth wheel and if it rains hard it will quit but dry it out and it is ok. I have had one on my porch for 2 years stillworking.
530383
I have 630 watts mounted face up on my camper. I see about 35 Amps maximum. On bright overcast days I can recover my typical usage of 65AH. On dark cloudy days, I recover less. I've seen 2 amps of charging in dark cloudy and rain. So you can expect perhaps 1 AH in dark conditions. Figure 10-2 as producing the most, while prior to 10 and after 2 produce about 1 AH. So add that up, perhaps 5 AH on a dark rainy day, and 50 AH on a bright overcast day, or somewhere in between. If your batteries were deeply discharged and you used an MPPT charge Controller, you can expect as much as 150 AH on a clear sunny day. I have 630 watts mounted face up on my camper. I see about 35 Amps maximum. On bright overcast days I can recover my typical usage of 65AH. On dark cloudy days, I recover less. I've seen 2 amps of charging in dark cloudy and rain. So you can expect perhaps 1 AH in dark conditions. Figure 10-2 as producing the most, while prior to 10 and after 2 produce about 1 AH. So add that up, perhaps 5 AH on a dark rainy day, and 50 AH on a bright overcast day, or somewhere in between. If your batteries were deeply discharged and you used an MPPT charge Controller, you can expect as much as 150 AH on a... » Read More I have 630 watts mounted face up on my camper. I see about 35 Amps maximum. On bright overcast days I can recover my typical usage of 65AH. On dark cloudy days, I recover less. I've seen 2 amps of charging in dark cloudy and rain. So you can expect perhaps 1 AH in dark conditions. Figure 10-2 as producing the most, while prior to 10 and after 2 produce about 1 AH. So add that up, perhaps 5 AH on a dark rainy day, and 50 AH on a bright overcast day, or somewhere in between. If your batteries were deeply discharged and you used an MPPT charge Controller, you can expect as much as 150 AH on a clear sunny day. « Show Less
724046
Very strange for a produce designed to be in the sun to not survive in the sun. I had the unit in the sun and it stopped working - did not charge and could not supply power. When it cooled down it seemed to work fine. Bottom line: it failed what it needed to do (all day in the sun does not result in a full battery charge).
1902502
Yes, that is what I use mine for. Place it so that it gets the most extended hours of sunlight possible and you are set. I have never run out of power to my gate since installing it, but if you did, you could add another one into the system as well. They are an awesome deal for the price.
1137215
I have had no problems with mine. It has made it through an ice storm lasting three days and several rain events. Works perfectly!
349781
Mine worked fantastic for about 1 year pretty far down my driveway. Then I started having problems and no longer works. If it's out of the elements I would recommend. If not I wouldn't.
1349287
Try the battery first, of course, but if that's not it, you should call customer service. One time they had me change a setting in the unit that plugs into the wall. I will say, though, that this is not a reliable product and doesn't last very long, especially if you are using it a place where it is subject to weather. I have two--one at the front door in a breezeway and one on a gate outside by the mailbox. The one in the covered area last a lot longer than the other.
2032470
I have not had good luck with that. It needs to be in full-sun all day. I have also experienced issues with the fact that I have a lot of animals that come through the area and it doesn't seem to hold the charge well if it get's set off often.