Jackshaft garage door openers

[GSSFC]

I need to buy two over head door openers. I have the torsion style spring system. The door size is 9' wide x 7' high. There is absolutely NO room to install a traditional style opener. The tracks are pretty much right at the ceiling. I have been told I want a jackshaft style, but have never seen one expect in commercial operations. Anyone recommend a good one? This is my private shop. They will probably be operated 2-3x a day year round.

Tim

 

[Cardboard Man]

Check out this link, I have several liftmaster products (door and gate operators) and have had good luck with all.

http://www.liftmaster.com/consumerweb/products/pflResidentialJackshaft.htm

 

[JCByrd24]

The LM3800 that is linked above is "the standard" in residential jackshaft openers. Great unit, I love mine.

 

[BigChevy80]

The LM3800 that is linked above is "the standard" in residential jackshaft openers. Great unit, I love mine.

Byrd,
Does that unit use the electric eyes that mount on the bottom of the door to stop it if someone crosses the path?

I have thought about a jackshaft opener but want one without the sensor eyes. One of the companies I deliver freight to is going to be tearing out part of their loading dock and I may end up getting one of their industrial ones from the dock doors.

 

[Worsedog]

I also have 2 LM3800s and I love them. The door moving makes more noise that the opener does. Mine also came with the remote lights. All you have to do is plug them into a standard 110v outlet, no additional wiring. I disassembled mine and wired it into one bank of lights.

 

[PurdueSD]

I bought a pair of the liftmaster 3800s about 6 months ago. I finally got around to installing one today. I cant believe how quiet and smooth it is. It more simple to install than the traditional style. Much cleaner looking with nothing cluttering up the cieling too.

Two thumbs up from me!

 

[PurdueSD]

Byrd,
Does that unit use the electric eyes that mount on the bottom of the door to stop it if someone crosses the path?

I have thought about a jackshaft opener but want one without the sensor eyes. One of the companies I deliver freight to is going to be tearing out part of their loading dock and I may end up getting one of their industrial ones from the dock doors.

All residential openers are required to have photo eyes. Most the time you see people installing them on the wall above the opener... not that i did that...cough, cough.

 

[Junkman]

how close to the ceiling can the shaft be? On mine the drums just about touch the ceiling.

 

[PurdueSD]

The top of the openener sits below the drums on mine if my memory serves me. I think you need 8" off the side of the rail.

 

[JOHNMAN]

Byrd,
Does that unit use the electric eyes that mount on the bottom of the door to stop it if someone crosses the path?

I have thought about a jackshaft opener but want one without the sensor eyes. One of the companies I deliver freight to is going to be tearing out part of their loading dock and I may end up getting one of their industrial ones from the dock doors.

Yes they do have both the "electric eyes" that you are referring to and additionally, they also sense if they close on something like a person and will reverse travel. I will be looking into a couple of these when I get to changing my doors to hi-lift. I may also change the ones in my attached garage as well.

 

[GSSFC]

Thanks guys, the 3800 is what i was looking at. One question though, how much clearance do you need from the torsion bar and the ceiling. I don't have much. Do they make some adapter so I can use like a chain or pulley to turn the shaft from lower on the wall below it?

Thanks, Tim

 

[67pete300]

Just recently had my new Liftmaster installed. I can't tell you how much better it is than any opener I've ever had. Ditto what all the others said. It also has a wireless keypad on the outside of the door and a positive locking bolt that engages the track every time you shut the door.

Here's a pic:

You can just barely make out the drum between the track and the door. There are a few inches between the torsion bar and the ceiling to allow for the top of the opener and the radius of the drum.

 

[GSSFC]

a positive locking bolt that engages the track every time you shut the door.

Here's a pic:

Well that is what mine looks like, so I guess we have a winner. What is this positive locking bolt you are talk about? Is this something that mechanically locks the door to the track when closed?

Tim

 

[BigChevy80]

All residential openers are required to have photo eyes. Most the time you see people installing them on the wall above the opener... not that i did that...cough, cough.

Hah... yeah I know about that requirement. I could care less about it, too...

 

[67pete300]

Well that is what mine looks like, so I guess we have a winner. What is this positive locking bolt you are talk about? Is this something that mechanically locks the door to the track when closed?

Tim

It is just like a deadbolt that sticks into the track each time the door shuts. So the closest wheel would run into it and stop the door from opening. It would probably travel 7 or 8 inches before it hit it, so it isn't totally foolproof, but it's better than nothing. When you open the door it automatically retracts.

 

[IDASHO]

It is just like a deadbolt that sticks into the track each time the door shuts. So the closest wheel would run into it and stop the door from opening. It would probably travel 7 or 8 inches before it hit it, so it isn't totally foolproof, but it's better than nothing. When you open the door it automatically retracts.

If it is that far from the wheel, MOVE IT.

The deadbolt on my Liftmaster 3800 fitted door has less than 3/4 of an inch clearance between the wheel and the deadbolt. Once locked, it isnt going anywhere.

 

[Worsedog]

If it is that far from the wheel, MOVE IT.

The deadbolt on my Liftmaster 3800 fitted door has less than 3/4 of an inch clearance between the wheel and the deadbolt. Once locked, it isnt going anywhere.

Mine also.

 

[tsagg]

What's the cost of a 3800 installed? I'd love to get my ceiling mounted unit out of the garage.

 

[tdkkart]

What's the cost of a 3800 installed? I'd love to get my ceiling mounted unit out of the garage.

They're on Ebay for approx. $325, installation looks to be very easy. A true garage guy would do it themselves.

The installation manual is available here:

http://www.liftmaster.com/consumerweb/pdfdocs/114A3268.pdf

There is somebody on this board that sells them also.

 

[nova65ss]

They do make the 480 LM remote mount kit that will allow you to drop it about 12" below the torsion shaft if headroom or sideroom near the shaft is not enough.

 

[Junkman]

They do make the 480 LM remote mount kit that will allow you to drop it about 12" below the torsion shaft if headroom or sideroom near the shaft is not enough.

What does this kit cost? Pictures?? thanks

 

[kvom]

I bought two LM3800s from nova65ss (I can recommend him); not installed yet but I have read the manual, and it seems pretty straightforward. I plan to install myself. In any case my local door supplier quotes $75 to install a customer-supplied opener.

 

[nova65ss]

It is about 90 bucks or so.

 

[67pete300]

If it is that far from the wheel, MOVE IT.

The deadbolt on my Liftmaster 3800 fitted door has less than 3/4 of an inch clearance between the wheel and the deadbolt. Once locked, it isnt going anywhere.

I hadn't noticed before, but since you wrote this I looked at my (newly installed high-lift) track and saw that there are multiple "pop-outs" available for installing the lock. For some reason the installer put it pretty much mid-way between the wheels when the door is closed. There is one directly above a wheel so I will move it there.

Thanks for the hint!

 

[67pete300]

What's the cost of a 3800 installed? I'd love to get my ceiling mounted unit out of the garage.

I was quoted $425 installed.

 

[tfi racing]

For you Canadians, I was quoted 570.00(tax included 13%) installed with my new door.

 

[Thomarann]

For you Canadians, I was quoted 570.00(tax included 13%) installed with my new door.

I bought one off eBay from the US for US$275 and had it professionally installed for $150 (5% tax in Alberta. ).

Marc

 

[tfi racing]

Just curious,did that USD $275 include shipping and brokerage?I looked at bringing one up from the states,but the current evil exchange rate and shipping wasn't saving me much from the local door company.Oh well,that's what happens when you live on an island...

 

[mw_98]

I recently bought a LM3800 from nova65ss. Great price and quick shipping. It took me about two hours to install everything( I'm sure that a second one would take much less time ). The instructions were very good.

 

[PurdueSD]

Seriously guys, no need to pay for install. Its rediculous how simple it is. Save the extra 75-150 bucks for tools...