Where would you put your door openers?

[ajt976]

Okay so in the design phase of our new home build and (of course) wanting to make sure I put some proper thought into our garage. Our plan calls for a fairly standard 3 car garage with 2 OHDs (a 18x8 and 9x8), and I'm curious about installing some wall mounted openers (LM8500, etc). I believe I have enough space on any side of the doors to mount these.

For this configuration is there any benefit to placing the openers next to each other vs on opposite walls? Was thinking perhaps if they were close they could share the same outlet in the ceiling. There is only the master closet partially above the garage and it will be centered over the 18' door, so not super concerned about noise above the openers.

Attached is a quick sketch of the garage and the 4 potential mounting locations, which would you choose?

ETA: To be clear I'm asking about where you would mount the actual door opener itself on either side of the jack shaft, not just the keypads or wireless remotes.

 

[Chevy-SS]

I'd say "B". I have two doors like that in my garage, with two LM8500's and I use B. But I also have wireless openers just inside the entry door, and those (or the ones in cars) get used 95% of the time, so the two that you are concerned about will not get used much.

The openers are tiny, so you'll have room anywhere.

 

[p00p]

B or C

 

[ajt976]

I'd say "B". I have two doors like that in my garage, with two LM8500's and I use B. But I also have wireless openers just inside the entry door, and those (or the ones in cars) get used 95% of the time, so the two that you are concerned about will not get used much.

The openers are tiny, so you'll have room anywhere.

Gotcha, yes we will primarily use the Homelink in our vehicles as remotes.

So where are the actually door opener units mounted to the shaft of the garage doors? I was moreso meaning where did you put the LM8500 unit. I'll update the sketch to better describe this, sorry.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Gotcha, yes we will primarily use the Homelink in our vehicles as remotes.

So where are the actually door opener units mounted to the shaft of the garage doors? I was moreso meaning where did you put the LM8500 unit. I'll update the sketch to better describe this, sorry.

Here's a couple of quick pics. I built one side with 16' ceiling, to accommodate a lift, so you can see how they set up both of the doors. I contracted it out to local garage door guys who do it for a living. Both doors are 10x8.

 

[rburke65]

B...I like B

 

[Chevy-SS]

Oh, and if you are still designing, then add some square footage to the garage.... and create a spot for a lift!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Because your doors are offset, I'd say B&C. If they were even like mine, I would have done opposite sides.

 

[ajt976]

Here's a couple of quick pics. I built one side with 16' ceiling, to accommodate a lift, so you can see how they set up both of the doors. I contracted it out to local garage door guys who do it for a living. Both doors are 10x8.

Perfect, so sounds like having them next to each other worked out fine for you. I feel like it might be nice to not have an opener stuffed in either corner, the B and C option for both would leave the units with a bit more room and again potentially allow them to share a single outlet in the wall or ceiling.

 

[ajt976]

Oh, and if you are still designing, then add some square footage to the garage.... and create a spot for a lift!

I like your encouragement! The thought of a lower profile 4 post on the third bay did cross my mind. I'm going to have to see what the engineer thinks about that though as we are planning a suspended garage slab to allow for a bit of a shop below - but that's another thread.

 

[Ls1Lark]

Definitely C & B

* oh. If you install jack shaft openers. Go ahead and have the electrician install the outlets in the ceilings you would normally use for a chain/belt overhead opener. Those outlets will/can be used for the “remote” light the 8500 and 8500W use - or just plan on using them as power sources for future lights (and put a switch on them).

If you ever need to reprogram your unit or make repairs, those two units sharing the same outlet are right there in the “middle” of your garage to access. If you have any plan to hang neon lights or need a electrical reel. Maybe consider 2 outlet boxes in that area. ? Your homelink relay boxes if you need them for older vehicles will work better closer to your exterior wall VS the high up overhead opener outlets. (They’ll receive signal higher up but signal is received better closer to the door)

I haven’t installed my second one yet.

 

[ajt976]

Definitely C & B

* oh. If you install jack shaft openers. Go ahead and have the electrician install the outlets in the ceilings you would normally use for a chain/belt overhead opener. Those outlets will/can be used for the “remote” light the 8500 and 8500W use - or just plan on using them as power sources for future lights (and put a switch on them).

If you ever need to reprogram your unit or make repairs, those two units sharing the same outlet are right there in the “middle” of your garage to access. If you have any plan to hang neon lights or need a electrical reel. Maybe consider 2 outlet boxes in that area. ? Your homelink relay boxes if you need them for older vehicles will work better closer to your exterior wall VS the high up overhead opener outlets. (They’ll receive signal higher up but signal is received better closer to the door)

I haven’t installed my second one yet.

Good point on the Homelink relay, I hadn't even considered that. I did get one for my old Chamberlain opener and kept it when we moved, wonder if it would be compatible with the LiftMaster? How are the relay lights on those units, are they decent? I definitely plan on having other lights in the garage and thought about even some fans since I want to go with the wall mount openers.

And yes, would definitely put a pair of outlets there, I was thinking that would be a real slick spot for an extension cord reel. I dig your sign as tho too! Glad to see another local here.

 

[Ls1Lark]

The light that was installed in here is the 827LM the led light does a good job of illuminating to get in and out of the car, take the trash out or a quick run to grab a tool, it’s nice that it’s triggered by the motion sensor on the controller or the photo eyes at the door.

The exit light - thanks I bought that from a friend who found it. It’s all metal with a hinged access door to get to the 2 bulbs, I can only imagine how hot it would get decades ago with incandescent bulbs.

 

[glentre]

I like B and C because I often exit the garage through my big doors and just reach back in to press the actuator buttons to close the doors after I'm out beyond the safety light beam at the floor.

Glen

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

If you aren't limited by height I'd use regular center mounted openers. Cost less, more options. Outlets are cheap and easy to add, especially on new construction.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, mount the openers where the manufacturer recommends.

 

[ajt976]

Sounds like the majority would put the units close together in the middle. I think I'm gonna shoot for this so long as there is enough room at the 'B' location. I'm actually trying to see about fitting a 10' wide door on the third bay which will eat up a little wall space.

Did I read it right that the LM8500 requires a minimum of 8" to function properly? Assuming this is 8" beyond the track?