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Garage Door Openers (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Zegras11
- Start date
bleachercreacher
Footballguy
I don't know much about different brands. However, it's well worth paying the little extra money to have it installed. I installed ours in our new house a couple of years ago, and it's one thing I'll never do again. It may be easier if you are installing it in place of an existing one.
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Fat Nick
Footballguy
I don't think you can even get non-rolling code openers anymore. They're almost all as secure from a code standpoint. It's far easier these days to break in some other way than it is to have a thief spend money on a code-capture device and even try...I always thought that was a big marketing thing. I've never met a high-tech thief like that. Some tips from my recent purchase:
To the earlier post re. having them installed...They are tough to do from scratch. Existing unit replacements aren't bad though. The hardest part by far is getting the unit mounted to the ceiling. If you already have those brackets or something, the rest is pretty simple.
- I think most of the major brands will have advocates and detractors. I've used Genie, Craftsman, and Chamberlain without much issue.
- Pick a drive method. Most openers are chain or belt. There are other types, but far less common. Chain drives are the cheapest, but belt drives are crazy quiet comparatively. They're great if you have a bedroom above the garage or something.
- Consider how you'll open it...If you have a car with the built-in Homelink openers, be wary of some of the really high-end electronics. The Chamberlain MyQ, for example, won't work with those without a repeater (extra cost).
- Battery back-up's are nice, especially if you rely on your garage as your primary entry, or have wife/kids who wouldn't be able to figure out or physically lift the manual door.
To the earlier post re. having them installed...They are tough to do from scratch. Existing unit replacements aren't bad though. The hardest part by far is getting the unit mounted to the ceiling. If you already have those brackets or something, the rest is pretty simple.
BlueDredSo
Footballguy
Is pretty much any remote compatible with any garage door opener? I've tried to look online and haven't really found anything. I haven't looked at the hardware store yet either. My fiance has our only remote and I'd like one for my car as well. Basic 1-button with the 7 or 8 clips you push up or down for the code.
BassNBrew
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I installed a Genie in our new house about 7 years ago. Can't remember the model but it is a screw (worm) drive. It has been reliable except for the limit switches which I had to replace after 3 years of use. They weren't expensive parts but it took a few days to get in the mail.
In my old house we had two garages and I installed Sears Craftsmen chain drives in both. They were built like tanks but a bit louder than the screw drive.
I must be a masochist cause I actually didn't mind installing garage door openers.
In my old house we had two garages and I installed Sears Craftsmen chain drives in both. They were built like tanks but a bit louder than the screw drive.
I must be a masochist cause I actually didn't mind installing garage door openers.
Patriotsfatboy1
Footballguy
I am due to replace at least one of my Genie screw drive units. I have two that have lasted 19 years so far, with the only issue being that one of the unit's lights no longer functions (board issue). I am surprised that my doors have lasted that long too. All of my neighbors have replaced doors a long time ago.
Fat Nick
Footballguy
Yeah..."Universal" is kind of a misnomer...At one point, I had 1 Craftsman, and 1 Genie. The Craftsman remote couldn't run the Genie, and vice-versa, despite both claiming to be Universal. I will add that many of the Craftsman units are rebranded versions of other units. I think the one I linked to is actually a re-brand of the Chamberlain unit with similar specs and MyQ. So I'd assume in that case the Chamberlain and Craftsman units are more likely to work together.
If you compare the units made now to the older units, the older ones are built like tanks...metal gearing, metal cases, larger motors, etc...but they lacked a lot of the safety features (rolling code, sometimes even the safety beam sensors). It's a trade-off I guess.
Ptomaine
Footballguy
I have been out of the business of selling garage door openers for a while, but from what I remember. Chamberlain used to be the manufacturer of the Craftsmen openers.
Lift Master is Chamberlain's line of professionly installed openers. While the motors are about the same, the big difference is that the track is a single piece; that makes them stronger. As far as belt vs chain vs vs screw drive, I can tell you many more people came in looking for parts to repair screw drive units. Chain is noisiest and belts are quietest, but that really means nothing if your door sounds like a tank when it is opened. A single door casn easily be opened with a 1/2 hp opener. A double needs at least 3/4 hp.
the main cause of opener failure is having a poorly adjusted door. If your mother couldn't open or close the door with one hand, it is not adjusted correctly!
Lift Master is Chamberlain's line of professionly installed openers. While the motors are about the same, the big difference is that the track is a single piece; that makes them stronger. As far as belt vs chain vs vs screw drive, I can tell you many more people came in looking for parts to repair screw drive units. Chain is noisiest and belts are quietest, but that really means nothing if your door sounds like a tank when it is opened. A single door casn easily be opened with a 1/2 hp opener. A double needs at least 3/4 hp.
the main cause of opener failure is having a poorly adjusted door. If your mother couldn't open or close the door with one hand, it is not adjusted correctly!
towney
Footballguy
I've always had Craftsman and have never had any issues with them. Replaced and old one that was 10yrs old and upgraded to belt drive with a battery backup and ability to open, close and check status via a cell phone or computer (love this feature). Sear's always has a sale on them from time to time.
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Keerock
Footballguy
Osaurus
Footballguy
This is such a
I blew the board out on my old one a few years ago. Will go with Liftmaster after my Genie drive goes, which should be in the next couple of years.
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Fat Nick
Footballguy
How old is the battery? Has it been dead for a long time? Sometimes, those old batteries can actually swell up over time and get lodged in there pretty good. You may have to actually start taking things apart to get it out.
I had an old universal remote that actually had the battery swell up and bust the case one time.
Righetti
Footballguy
just bought the house but it looks like it must be about 15 years old (when they built the extension including the garage. The thing was beeping like a smoke-alarm when it runs low on battery.. Had to order a new one online from Amazon but went to install it and the old one was stuck. for now I just disconnected it to make the beeping stop
Fat Nick
Footballguy
Yeah...it might have expanded. If it did, it's likely jammed tight and you'll have to take the case apart. You could try using a popsicle stick or something to work some light grease in there and maybe it'll slide out. Hard to tell without knowing how the battery goes in.
Zegras11
Footballguy
St. Louis Bob
Footballguy
This is some really good advice. I'll be bringing a mini surge home tomorrow to plug in. Didn't even think about it. Thanks GB.
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