raising a garage door up higher past cable drum

[joelowrider]

Ok I understand I can adjust the height of my garage door by adjusting the adjustment screws on the opener. My question is can the door go past the cable drum in height?

I would love to put a light at the ceiling right at the edge on the door and open the door more so I have a gap between the wall and the garage door. This way the light can shine down

 

[gnpenning]

Sure you can if you don't mind the risk of the cables coming off the drum.

The springs are not designed to be wound backwards and will have no tension on the cables when you do this.

Bad Idea. Put a light on a arm that you can swivel under the door to put the light where you need it, when you need it.

 

[GMCGarage]

Ok I understand I can adjust the height of my garage door by adjusting the adjustment screws on the opener. My question is can the door go past the cable drum in height?

I would love to put a light at the ceiling right at the edge on the door and open the door more so I have a gap between the wall and the garage door. This way the light can shine down

Wire a light on the door with some stretchy cord

 

[matt_i]

Idea: mount a crossbar to the underside of the garage door tracks, preferably not in the radius. Garage door rides above the tracks and not below it other than maybe the latch mechanism.
Install fluorescent light.
Light shines brightly whether door is up or down.
Profit.

 

[larry_g]

Research 'dock lights' they might be an option. Is it possible to mount the light on the header outside so when the door is open it shines into the building?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[larry_g]

Sure you can if you don't mind the risk of the cables coming off the drum.

The springs are not designed to be wound backwards and will have no tension on the cables when you do this.

Bad Idea.

I disagree with this. Let me qualify . The spring I have is a torsion spring and I have a manual door. When I raise my door it is pulled up by the spring and it will go completely around the corner and then is pulled back by the spring till it settles with the cable at ~45* angle to the floor. So at least in my case I could do what the OP asks if I had a conventional opener.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[MikeF]

You can go past, if you go to far, the springs can open up and may come off the cones. I wouldn't go 2 feet but I've seen em up there. That's how we work on truck doors. How much more travel does your opener have?

 

[Jlbc212]

With the door in the fully open position there will probably still be a turn on the torsion spring. That tension is needed to keep the door in the open position. Measure or calculate (approx. 3 times the drum diameter) the length of cable for one turn of the drum (or spring). That's how far the door should be able to travel upward before the spring loses complete tension.

 

[gnpenning]

I disagree with this. Let me qualify . The spring I have is a torsion spring and I have a manual door. When I raise my door it is pulled up by the spring and it will go completely around the corner and then is pulled back by the spring till it settles with the cable at ~45* angle to the floor. So at least in my case I could do what the OP asks if I had a conventional opener.

lg
no neat sig line

This is not what he is asking. Not much room for a light. with yours.


For standard drums one turn is one ft.

Much better putting a light on an arm or track to go under the door when open.

 

[Baada]

I bought a 48" single tube led at Menards and it mounts right on the bulkhead and because it's so skinny there is just enough room between the bulkhead and bottom edge of garage door when open to work perfect. It's on a pull string so I only turn it on when door is open blocking normal lights.