Garage door opener modification

[Duckslapper]

Has anyone ever modified a residential opener to open a 14' tall door?

I have a 14' door on my shop that's lightweight, probably weighs less than house garage door. Anyway I have an old Challenger AC9300 opener laying around and according to the manual I found, the wire on the timer jumper can be cut for doors over 9', allowing the operator to run for 29 seconds (17 seconds when connected). With some extra chain and modification to extend the rail, I'm thinking I can make this work for my 14' door.

Any thoughts?

 

[nehog]

Generally is isn't weight that gets you, it is the internal arrangement of the limit switches that is the problem. They are often on a threaded rod and that rod is not long enough for 14 ft.

 

[kbs2244]

That opener is a chain drive in a custom “C” shaped runner.
With a repair runner and chain used to double the length it could be done.

But for a DIY project I would think about a 8500 clone.
A bicycle sprocket on the spring shaft should get you into the right gearing neighborhood.

 

[upndown]

I wouldn't waste my time! Even if you can scrounge parts to extend it, they no longer make that opener. A logic board alone is around $100

 

[Duckslapper]

That opener is a chain drive in a custom “C” shaped runner.

With a repair runner and chain used to double the length it could be done.



But for a DIY project I would think about a 8500 clone.

A bicycle sprocket on the spring shaft should get you into the right gearing neighborhood.

Kbs2244- are you saying set the challenger up like a liftmaster 8500 using a bike sprocket? How would you set the travel length? I've haven't played with the unit much but thought it needed those chain stops to set the travel. Interesting idea.

 

[kbs2244]

That is part of the fun in DIY projects.
I am guessing that switches of some kind could be used in the tracks to determin door location to turn on and off the door movment. (forget the long chain, the 8500 dosn't use one)
It is what in the old days was called "ladder logic."
In this case:
"If the door is going down and it is here I should turn off.
If the door is here and is going up I should turn off."
It is not all that hard and it can be a lot of fun to get it down right.

 

[Rookie2]

I had to use a commercial head with a jack shaft and drove the spring axle and cables. PITA !

 

[Duckslapper]

Thank you for your thoughts, gentleman. Always appreciative!

 

[Duckslapper]

Does anyone know off the top of their head what size chain the Challenger 9300 takes?