Nice FM139 Driveway Exit Wand, 50 ft Direct-Burial Cable
Buried vehicle sensor that opens your automatic gate as a car drives out. No saw-cut loop, 12 ft detection radius, fits any dry-contact gate opener.
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Arrives
- Opens the gate for exiting vehicles
- No driveway saw-cutting
- Works with any dry-contact opener
About
The FM139 exit wand gives an automatic gate "free exit": a sensor buried beside the driveway on the inside of the gate that opens it as a car or truck drives out. Nobody has to find a remote, and there's no saw-cutting the driveway.
When a vehicle heads toward the gate, the wand senses the moving metal within about 12 ft and sends the opener a 2-second open command. It does the job of an exit loop, and its 50 ft cable runs back to the opener's control box.
What's in the box
- FM139 sensor with 50 ft direct-burial cable (four conductors plus a braided ground)
- Two battery connection wires, two double spade connectors and two wire nuts
- Wire clamp and four cable ties
- Two warning signs
What you'll still need
- A gate opener with an open-only (exit) input that accepts a dry contact
- Power from the opener: 11–30 Vdc or 8–26 Vac at its accessory terminals, or its 12 V battery
- PVC conduit from the trench up to the control box (recommended)
- A shovel for a trench about 24 in long and 12 in deep
- A longer-cable version if the control box is more than about 45 ft from the wand (allow 5 ft of cable for wiring inside the box)
Will it work with my opener?
The manufacturer rates it for any automatic gate operator, or other system, with a dry-contact input. That includes Linear Pro / GTO / Nice and Mighty Mule openers, and other brands with such an input. Wire its black and blue leads to the opener's input that only opens the gate: shorting that input should open an idle gate and reverse a closing one.
- PRO-SW4000XLS: input 4 (EXIT) and 1 (COM).
- PRO-SW2000XLS: EXIT, with power from LOCK + and COMMON.
- A plain toggle (open/stop/close) input isn't suitable.
- The opener must be listed to UL 325.
Where to bury it
- Parallel and close. Lay it parallel to the driveway, no more than 2 ft from the edge, 12 in deep.
- Clear of the gate. Keep the open gate at least 25 ft outside the detection zone, so a moving gate leaf can't trigger it. That means the wand sits further back than 25 ft.
- Away from bikes. A bike close to the wand looks like a car further away, so avoid where children ride. Post the two included warning signs.
- Let it calibrate. At first power-up, leave it undisturbed for 60 seconds with no vehicles or moving metal nearby.
Cable lengths
| Model | Cable | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FM139 | 50 ft | Short runs |
| FM140 | 100 ft | Longer runs |
| FM141 | 150 ft | Long driveways |
| FM141-250 | 250 ft | Long driveways |
Pick the FM139 when the opener is close to the drive. All four use the same sensor and manual; only the cable length changes.
1-year limited manufacturer warranty on materials and workmanship when installed as instructed. Surge, lightning, weather and insect damage aren't covered. The spec sheet and both installation manuals are in Documents below.
Specifications
| Detection | |
|---|---|
| Senses | Moving iron-based metal (vehicles) |
| Detection radius | Up to 12 ft |
| Line-noise filter | 50/60 Hz rejection |
| Output | |
| Output | N.O. relay, 2 s pulse |
| Contact rating | 1 A max, 30 Vdc |
| Power | |
| Power input | 11–30 Vdc or 8–26 Vac |
| Cable | |
| Cable | 50 ft, direct burial |
| Conductors | 4 + braided ground |
| Installation | |
| Burial depth | 12 in |
| From driveway edge | 2 ft max |
| Gate clearance | Open gate 25 ft+ outside range |
| Start-up calibration | 60 s, undisturbed |
| Build | |
| Wand diameter | 1¾ in |
| Operating temperature | 25°F to 125°F |
| Warranty | |
| Manufacturer warranty | 1 year limited |
Frequently asked questions
Will the FM139 work with my gate opener?
Very likely. The manufacturer rates it for any automatic gate operator, or other system, that has a dry-contact input. It connects to the opener's open-only (exit) input: shorting that input must open an idle gate, stop and reopen a closing gate, and do nothing to an opening gate. A toggle-only (open/stop/close) input isn't suitable, and the opener should be listed to UL 325.
How do I wire it to a Linear Pro / GTO PRO-SW opener?
On a PRO-SW4000XLS, the manual shows the vehicle sensor on control input 4 (EXIT) and 1 (COM). On a PRO-SW2000XLS, use the EXIT input and power the wand from LOCK + with COMMON as negative (that 12 V accessory output is rated 100 mA). Black goes to common, blue to the exit input, red to +, and yellow plus the braided ground to −.
Is it the same as the Mighty Mule FM138?
It's the same sensor. Mighty Mule sells it as the FM138 50 ft exit wand, and one manual covers the FM138, FM139, FM140 and FM141. Mighty Mule says it connects directly to the gate opener's control box.
Where and how deep do I bury it?
Bury it parallel to the driveway, no more than 2 ft from the edge and 12 in deep, on the inside of the gate. The open gate has to sit at least 25 ft outside the sensor's detection zone, so the wand itself goes further back than 25 ft. PVC conduit is recommended where the cable rises to the control box.
What does it detect? Will bicycles trigger it?
It senses iron-based metal in motion, up to a 12 ft radius, depending on the object's size, speed and distance. Bicycles can trigger it: a child's bike 1 ft from the wand looks about the same as a car 6 ft away. The manufacturer doesn't recommend it where children play near the driveway. A parked car won't trigger it.
What power does it need?
11–30 Vdc or 8–26 Vac. Most installs power it from the opener's accessory terminals. It can also connect straight to the opener's 12 V battery with the included battery wires and spade connectors.
Is 50 ft of cable enough?
Measure the route from the wand to the control box and allow about 5 ft for wiring inside the box. If that's more than 50 ft, choose the FM140 (100 ft), FM141 (150 ft) or FM141-250 (250 ft). They use the same sensor.
Can it replace my photo eyes or safety edges?
No. The spec sheet says it may not be used as a safety device. It only sends a 2-second open command. Entrapment protection still needs the opener's photo eyes or edges.
Can I use it to open the gate for arriving cars?
The manufacturer documents it as an exit device only: it opens the gate for vehicles leaving the property. Visitors arriving from outside need a remote, keypad or intercom.
Why does the gate open by itself after I install it?
At first power-up the wand calibrates for 60 seconds and must be left alone, with no vehicles or moving metal in range. Also check that the open gate leaf is at least 25 ft outside the detection zone, since a moving steel gate can trigger it.
What's the warranty?
One year from purchase against defects in materials and workmanship, provided it was installed as instructed. Surges, lightning, weather, flood and insect damage aren't covered.