GC GHOST CONTROLS Heavy-Duty Automatic Gate Opener Kit for Swing Gates with Long-Range Gate Opener Remote - Model TDS2

I bought this system to replace a mighty mule 362 dual gate system that had malfunctioned. The 362 gate arms are no longer available - so I really had no way to fix the old system and looked into what would be the best replacement at a reasonable price. I like that the Ghost Controls system has a lifetime warranty, and that they are made in the USA in Florida. The install took me about 4 hours, but it greatly helped that I was a bit knowledgeable having a prior dual opener system on this same gate, and was able to use the mounting plate from that gate. This definitely saved time. I like the design of the cover for the control box where it just slides on and off. I do find it odd that you have to drill your own mounting holes in the box but it does make sense to not provide extra unused holes for water or insect penetration. One odd thing is the installation manual indicates that page 18 shows "Tools required" for install, but when you go to that page, or any other page near it, there is no mention of any tools. I needed a power drill, tape measure, tiny screwdriver (they provide one), Phillips screwdriver, 3/8" ratchet set, set of drill bits (I believe I used 1/2" and 3/8"), pick-axe for the cable from the 2nd arm and some conduit. Note that if you are going to use the plug-in transformer instead of a solar panel to provide power, you will need to provide your own 16 gauge wire for it. This gate opener works faster than the mighty mule it replaced. The arms are also a little longer, necessitating me moving the arm mounting bracket forward about 10", but this also lets the system open the gate further rather than the 90 degrees that I was limited to with the old system. You must provide your own deep-cycle battery as the gate actually runs off the battery, and the transformer keeps the battery charged. This lets the gate still operate when the power goes out. The system does have a separately purchased option to enable internet/wifi access so you can open & close via an app, but I had already come up with a way on the old gate to do this with a wifi garage door switch from Meross and that ended up much cheaper than the price of the separate Ghost Controls unit. Overall the system seems robust and moves my gate smoothly. I am happy with the purchase.

Great quality! We've had this opener for 8 months now and it hasn't messed up even once. It is super durable and easy to use. It was easy to install ourselves and works like a dream. I feel very secure knowing that we have this product controlling entrance to our property. The speed of opening is good and you can program how long it stays open. We also purchase the vehicle sensor and it works beautifully. As soon as we get to the spot where the sensor is buried, the gate opens automatically. This makes exiting the property easy for ourselves and our guests.

My Ghost Story II This is our second Ghost Solar Power Dual Gate controller with a keypad. The first was 5 years ago and we have never been happier. The new upgraded controller allows for you to add the Ghost Controls Multi Connect Kit which we did. Now I can open both gates from anywhere, nice! This was for a dual (2 gate) chain-link swing gate which was a little different with a round post instead of square. We have added several things to our system like: Battery boxes, solar, keypads, magnetic vehicle sensors and many remotes. Installation: was relatively simple. Following the instructions, both from the manual and videos made everything very easy. You can make a lot of adjustments after the installation (jog one gate in or out, intensity, etc.). I chose to use one of my extra fence posts to mount the controller. I installed the solar to the top of the post and ran the wire in the post to exit out by the controller. I also purchased a battery box and installed it on the post below the controller. The Ghost battery box sticks out just a little bit further than the control box which makes it easy to remove the cover. Appearance: This is a very sleek design. The opener arms look great, sleek, on rust or discoloration after 5 years. The control box has some fade, but to be expected sitting outside in the Florida sun. Function: Everything worked great from the start. We did have an issue about 2 years in which one arm did not open. I believe possible wiring. I was pulling my hair out until I called tech support. They ran me through some test and then sent out another arm ASAP. No hesitation, I was impressed. Pros: The remotes work from over 100’ away. Other openers you have to be very close to open the gate with the remote. Very upgradeable. We did have to buy a new circuit board for the older GHOST when we added the Ghost Controls Multi Connect. Now we can be camping and still let someone in the gate as needed. Easy to adjust settings. Jog one or the other in or out with a touch of a button. We keep a little tension when one gate closes on the other. This keeps the gate from swaying with the wind. Very easy to adjust the tension. Multiple ways to use keypad code, one time code, limited access code (time of day, day of week, etc.), guest code. Party mode keeps the gate open until you activate the party button a second time. Customer and tech support is great and very responsive. Cons: This a little bit of both, the remote signal is encrypted (Pro) so you need a specific remote. There are a few aftermarket remotes out there but you can’t add another garage or other device to the remote (Con). From time to time the gates don’t align. Sometimes just allowing the gate to open fully and letting it close on its own will fix it. Periodically I have to re-adjust the gate. Tips: Especially read the main bracket installation and expect to have to reassemble. I had to do this on both gate installs. At first tighten only to hold it in place. After you are sure you have it where you want it then tighten as needed. Call customer/tech support when you have an issue. I have pulled my hair out thinking I could figure things out (I usually can). They are there, they don’t seem to mind and are much faster (less hair loss). We have and will purchase again

System works great. Good quality, great instructions

Easy to install. Great videos online and written instructions. It works great!!!

Best money ever spent. Works great and even worked well in very frigid weather. Very happy with this purchase.

Great product, good instructions.

Bought July 2021...charge controller on board failed Nov 2021. Contacted Tech Support and ran all their tests and proved the charge controller was not working. Sent videos. Load tested. Everything they ask for and all they do is keep responding that it should be fine. Honestly, the Tech support appears to be outsourced to someone who is reading from a script and has no actual clue as to how anything works. Just like a previous reviewer stated, their board was faulty right out of the box and it took over three weeks for him to convince Ghost to send out a replacement. Their customer service is horrible. It seems like their full intent is to completely enrage the customer so that they not only never buy another product again, but they go out of their way to tell everybody they can what an awful company Ghost Controls is. Well they succeeded.