Jackshaft garage door opener

[tording01bolt]

Hey guys. Just had a question if anybody had ever installed a Jackshaft garage door opener. My garage has a high ceiling so I want to install a lift but with a lift I won't be able to have the typical opener that hangs down in the middle of the garage so after doing some reading I am thinking a Jackshaft style opener would do the trick but I don't know how the install or anything is. Anybody have any experience with these?

 

[tdkkart]

Yes, they solve alot of problems, and they do work well. Install is dirt simple.
I have 4 LiftMaster 3800's.

Do a search for "liftmaster" and you'll find alot of info.

 

[tording01bolt]

Yeah thats the one I was just looking at. Found a thread where some guys get them on Ebay for like $270. Is that a pretty good price? Any idea how much it would be to have installed? I am very mechanically inclined but have never done a garage door opener before.

 

[tdkkart]

Yeah thats the one I was just looking at. Found a thread where some guys get them on Ebay for like $270. Is that a pretty good price? Any idea how much it would be to have installed? I am very mechanically inclined but have never done a garage door opener before.

If you are mechanically inclined and can read and follow simple written instructions you can easily install the liftmaster opener.
The hardest and most time consuming part of the install is running the wires for the sensor eyes and the wall button. The rest is cake.
The only thig that MIGHT get some poeple in trouble is the need for an outlet within 6ft of the opener.

If nothing else, come back here and ask if you get in trouble. Many of us have done the installs ourselves and can help out.

Oh, and put your location in your profile. For all I know you could be right across the street, we could have the install done before 3pm.

 

[Lkdelta]

or get the mechanical stuff bolted up and then call the electrician at your work to get the outlet and sensor wires?

 

[tording01bolt]

Well I am mechanically inclined and also pretty good with wiring and electronics as I am a computer/electronics tech by trade but I should also list that I am a tad bit lazy. I don't mind working on my toys (cars) or my computers but when it comes to other things around the house sometimes I tend to let somebody install them. LOL I could do it and I probably will since I have never done one just to do it. I also need to install a typical center mount type in the single attached garage which is for my wife's car.

 

[larryv]

Yeah thats the one I was just looking at. Found a thread where some guys get them on Ebay for like $270. Is that a pretty good price? Any idea how much it would be to have installed? I am very mechanically inclined but have never done a garage door opener before.

EBAY seller... opendoorllc We have bought a total of 6 and this company ships fast and at the time the shipping was free. Good Luck

 

[dmeadow]

Some people get into trouble installing these if their doors have any binds in them. Be sure the rails and mechanisms are well lubricated and move freely. The Liftmasters might also take a bit of fiddling to adjust properly. Mine took a couple of tries and I had to work out some binding that didn't affect the center-pull opener. Not too terribly difficult, though, and once you have it in place you'll really like it. It is quieter and more secure considering it comes with an automatic deadbolt.

 

[Silverback51]

Just had a new garage door with the Lift Master 3800 installed a couple weeks ago and love it. It's small and quiet. Wish I had done it years ago.

 

[dan76]

As with any garage door opener, first ensure your door is balanced (should remain in place about half-way open without creeping up or down) and it's not binding anywhere along the track.

This is a do-it-self project, though a friend makes a good living installing/repairing/adjusting garage door openers.

 

[Oldsman]

Did a search and found this old thread. New to the site (terrific!). I can install the jack shaft lift; questions I have are with the balance and the tracks. I want the door (call it a typical one-car garage door) to follow further up the wall, then turn up near the ceiling so I can have a car up on the 4-post lift and still open and close the door. I have not messed with garage door springs (I have installed front and rear auto coil springs so I'm familiar with the danger of stored energy).

Questions: Assume I need to move the jack shaft itself high up on the wall -- correct?
I'll need to add a section of rail to both sides of the door, how will this affect the balance? If at all? The door is still going to cover the same distance on the horizotal plane, just higher up. How do you meassure cable tension?

I'd rather learn and do this myself rather than pay the man to come and do it...

I've installed the overhead variety of motors/tracks (replacing already existing equipment) but this is a different ballgame.

Thanks; great site.
Oldsman
Lakeville, MN