alternative to LM 8500

[nine45s]

So I have a couple high lift 8' doors going in an attached garage at the house I'm building. These doors need jackshaft operators but I don't want 8500's.
What are my alternatives ? Is there any reason not to use commercial operators in a residential application ?
Thanks.

Gerry

 

[coljar]

So I have a couple high lift 8' doors going in an attached garage at the house I'm building. These doors need jackshaft operators but I don't want 8500's.
What are my alternatives ? Is there any reason not to use commercial operators in a residential application ?
Thanks.

Gerry

No, you can use them, but they are not a fix all. There are several in my dept. at work and I am constantly writing tickets to have an outside contractor in to fix them. Nine times out of ten, the control boards are the problem and since it crosses my desk, I see the costs and I'll stick to my 8500's at home.

 

[KANSASBOY]

https://www.northshorecommercialdoor.com/liftmaster-model-mj-mediumduty-jackshaft-operator.html
We sale this.

 

[gnpenning]

^^^^^^ we've seen solid performance from the MJ line of openers. Only ever had one that had a issue. Noisy motor that was covered under warranty.

Coljar what openers are you seeing issues with?

How long are the control boards lasting?

Do you have them on surge suppressors?

What part of the board is going bad?

Thanks

 

[coljar]

^^^^^^ we've seen solid performance from the MJ line of openers. Only ever had one that had a issue. Noisy motor that was covered under warranty.

Coljar what openers are you seeing issues with?

How long are the control boards lasting?

Do you have them on surge suppressors?

What part of the board is going bad?

Thanks

I'll find the answers to your questions when I'm back in the plant. Right now I'm off work for 2 more weeks with a heart issue.

 

[ZipSnafu]

Nine45s... Welcome to GJ. From what I understand the new 8500's do not experience the issue with the controller. I guess only time will tell. I've had mine for two and a half years so far with no issues.

Coljar... Best of luck and a speedy recovery with your heart issues.

 

[kwschumm]

A garage door supplier said that Genie will be releasing a jackshaft opener "soon", in time for our new house build. That probably means within the next six months. But I'll probably go with the Liftmaster commercial MJ50, not sure I want to try a brand new product from Genie.

 

[Trey T]

I want to buy a LM 8500 or 3800 system if anybody planned to go back to belt/chain drive.

 

[gnpenning]

I'll find the answers to your questions when I'm back in the plant. Right now I'm off work for 2 more weeks with a heart issue.

Sorry to hear this. I wish you a complete and speedy recovery.

 

[gnpenning]

I want to buy a LM 8500 or 3800 system if anybody planned to go back to belt/chain drive.

You might be better off with the 3800 they don't use the same wall controller. They both have other issues

 

[blair683]

Genie can't make a quality product now let alone a jack shaft opener. I am thinking about buying the 8500. Op, why are you choosing to go with a commercial grade opener opposed to the 8500? Have there been issues with the 8500? This is an honest question as I am in the market as well.

 

[kwschumm]

Are there any USA garage door opener manufacturers that make good products? Used to be you install a Liftmaster and get 20 years of good service. Nowadays all the cheaply designed and built electronic doodads have cut trouble free lifespan down to single digits (and in case of the 8500 low single digits).

 

[blair683]

8500 is garbage I take it?

 

[kwschumm]

8500 is garbage I take it?

I don't think it's garbage, but they have a long history of electronics failing after a year or three resulting in doors opening on their own with no notification to owner. Liftmaster will send out replacements if they fail but that is no good if the door opens and allows stranger access to your home.

Supposedly they recently released an updated model with fixes but it may be a few years before anyone knows for sure if they are fixed.

Lots of threads on here discussing the issue.

 

[nine45s]

Thanks to all.
I was wondering if the MJ line might be overkill, my doors are 9 x 8 x 1 3/8 steel insulated.
Does anyone have experience with the LJ8900W from LM ?
How about the Zap products ? Anyone here have one ?

 

[kwschumm]

I need a jackshaft opener of known quality so I'll go with the MJ line and hope it doesn't fail as reported above. For the house I can use traditional openers and I'll go with Marantec (german brand).

 

[coljar]

Sorry to hear this. I wish you a complete and speedy recovery.

Thank you. Not to derail the thread, but I had complications from the heart cath. on Friday. Had them before with a stent, but this one was a real ******.

 

[8mpg]

Everyone here loves jackshaft openers...but my garage door guy swayed me against it unless you have a high lift or a door that follows the roof at an angle.

Dont forget, when that spring breaks (it will) you will need to pay someone to take off the opener and reinstall it. My local guy charges an extra $150 to swap a spring.

 

[wstephens1249]

Thanks to all.
I was wondering if the MJ line might be overkill, my doors are 9 x 8 x 1 3/8 steel insulated.
Does anyone have experience with the LJ8900W from LM ?
How about the Zap products ? Anyone here have one ?

I've asked about Zap openers here a couple times and have never got an answer out of anyone.

 

[Trey T]

^Probably because you have to spend $100+ more and have less features (or potential features such as automation).