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Garage Door auto closer
- Thread starter MikeYC
- Start date
Breezly
Member
I installed one over a year ago because swmbfo and the kids were always leaving the garage open. Absolutely love it.
Just be careful if you have a vehicle hafway in ther garage. I can lock it out at the manual console of the door opener or reach up and turn it off easily.
Just be careful if you have a vehicle hafway in ther garage. I can lock it out at the manual console of the door opener or reach up and turn it off easily.
rquackenbush
Well-known member
My biggest concern would be safety... That's a huge heavy door in motion without anyone supervising... If any kids, animals, etc were around I would be concerned something would happen.
Have you thought about one of the wireless indicators that lets you know whether the door is open or closed?
Have you thought about one of the wireless indicators that lets you know whether the door is open or closed?
justin85
Well-known member
Safety isn't an issue, garage door openers wont close if the sensors are tripped, how would this be any different?
We use them at work, and they can try to auto-close all day, but if the sensor is tripped, it doesn't go. Ours also have a "hold" switch to turn off the auto-close.
We use them at work, and they can try to auto-close all day, but if the sensor is tripped, it doesn't go. Ours also have a "hold" switch to turn off the auto-close.
jstroede
Well-known member
Safety isn't an issue, garage door openers wont close if the sensors are tripped, how would this be any different?
The problem is that I would bet that no more than 10% of residential door openers reverse as they should if then hit something. The photo eyes do work very well on the other hand, but they don't catch everything.
John
Breezly
Member
My biggest concern would be safety... That's a huge heavy door in motion without anyone supervising... If any kids, animals, etc were around I would be concerned something would happen.
I can understand a concern regarding safety if there are small kids around. In my case I have teenagers and although they sometimes act as dumb as posts, they do know enough to get out of the way a moving garage door. Both our cat and dog won't go anywhere near the door when they hear it moving.
The unit in the op's post gives an audible warning by beaping periodically while it is counting down and then beaping rapidly for the last 30 seconds or so before closing the door.
Have you thought about one of the wireless indicators that lets you know whether the door is open or closed?
I actually have a monitor too, but that did not do me any good while I was not at home. I got tired of coming home in the evening to find the garage door open and no one at home. Only one of my sons has any respect for what's in the garage and that is only because he keeps his Hayabusa there.
While I know they are not fail safe I have successfully tested the photo eyes and reversing of the door so I'm very comfortable using the auto closer.
I can understand a concern regarding safety if there are small kids around. In my case I have teenagers and although they sometimes act as dumb as posts, they do know enough to get out of the way a moving garage door. Both our cat and dog won't go anywhere near the door when they hear it moving.
The unit in the op's post gives an audible warning by beaping periodically while it is counting down and then beaping rapidly for the last 30 seconds or so before closing the door.
Have you thought about one of the wireless indicators that lets you know whether the door is open or closed?
I actually have a monitor too, but that did not do me any good while I was not at home. I got tired of coming home in the evening to find the garage door open and no one at home. Only one of my sons has any respect for what's in the garage and that is only because he keeps his Hayabusa there.
While I know they are not fail safe I have successfully tested the photo eyes and reversing of the door so I'm very comfortable using the auto closer.
We have the Garagebutler http://www.garagebutler.com/
Basically the same thing but installation is more involved. Nothing real difficult though.
Pros:
Closes door if you forget to or if the door pops back open after you closed it. (Had this happen one winter, a chunk of ice fell off the car as I was leaving and the door came down on it and went back up.)
Cheaper than Protectrix model (Protectrix $90 vs GB $45 or $60 depending on the model)
Cons:
Ours has a night mode that will close the door if it's dark out. Well I like to leave the door open in the summer at night, so I have to turn the unit off and then remember to turn it back on again afterwards.
Only works on one door, so if you have more than one you obviously have to buy multiple units.
Other than that, it's been fine and I haven't had a door left open in the year since we got it.
Basically the same thing but installation is more involved. Nothing real difficult though.
Pros:
Closes door if you forget to or if the door pops back open after you closed it. (Had this happen one winter, a chunk of ice fell off the car as I was leaving and the door came down on it and went back up.)
Cheaper than Protectrix model (Protectrix $90 vs GB $45 or $60 depending on the model)
Cons:
Ours has a night mode that will close the door if it's dark out. Well I like to leave the door open in the summer at night, so I have to turn the unit off and then remember to turn it back on again afterwards.
Only works on one door, so if you have more than one you obviously have to buy multiple units.
Other than that, it's been fine and I haven't had a door left open in the year since we got it.
Zeke
Well-known member
Seems like a good idea but what happens if you pull half way into the garage to unload the groceries and the phone rings? You forget about the car and the door comes down on your hood (or other body panel). The sensors are located 6 inches above the floor easily connecting under most vehicles. The auto stop on the opener might not crush a child to death but will surely put a nice dent in your aluminum Mercedes (and many other makes) hood or deck lid.
I don't think I want one of these unless it knows more than the beam sensor does.
I don't think I want one of these unless it knows more than the beam sensor does.
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
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- 2,117
The problem is that I would bet that no more than 10% of residential door openers reverse as they should if then hit something. The photo eyes do work very well on the other hand, but they don't catch everything.
John
You may be right, but i think anyone on this forum would have enough sense to go test their door before trusting it.
I know both my doors reverse when I catch them in my hand.
This looks like something I want for my shop. I have tight security on the shop, but sometimes worry that my wife or I may hit the wrong button on the homelink and pop the door in the shop as we drive away. We have one of our power gates and two garage doors on each homelink, and just a push of the wrong button and the shop door could be standing open. You can't see the shop from the garage or front gate.
Tink
Well-known member
Seems like a good idea but what happens if you pull half way into the garage to unload the groceries and the phone rings? You forget about the car and the door comes down on your hood (or other body panel). The sensors are located 6 inches above the floor easily connecting under most vehicles. The auto stop on the opener might not crush a child to death but will surely put a nice dent in your aluminum Mercedes (and many other makes) hood or deck lid.
I don't think I want one of these unless it knows more than the beam sensor does.
Move the sensors up?
Move the sensors up?
Or, would it be possible to add more sensors?
Chris Adams
Well-known member
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- Oct 21, 2007
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By the way, I want to thank the OP for bringing this item to my attention.
Being a cheap SOB I ordered a Garage Butler (thanks Zick) for 36 bucks new with shipping off Amazon.
I'll be putting it in my shop the day it arrives.
The price was just so much better, and this was the more adjustable one.
Again, thanks to OP and I hope you find one you like.
Being a cheap SOB I ordered a Garage Butler (thanks Zick) for 36 bucks new with shipping off Amazon.
I'll be putting it in my shop the day it arrives.
The price was just so much better, and this was the more adjustable one.
Again, thanks to OP and I hope you find one you like.
Savagehenry
New member
I had my eye on either the Autocloser or the Doorminder, both available here..
http://www.autocloser.com/products.asp
The Doorminder uses a second set of sensors and can close a door in as little as 15 seconds after the vehicle clears the door. -Probably good for downtown condo garages, and other high foot traffic areas, etc.
Just thought I'd throw these out there for comparison.
http://www.autocloser.com/products.asp
The Doorminder uses a second set of sensors and can close a door in as little as 15 seconds after the vehicle clears the door. -Probably good for downtown condo garages, and other high foot traffic areas, etc.
Just thought I'd throw these out there for comparison.
Miked37945
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2010
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- 17
I bought the Garage Butler a month ago but finally installed it two weeks ago after leaving for a short trip and wondering half-way to the airport if the door was closed.
It took about 40 minutes to install and works beautifully! This was a great purchase.
It works great with my safety sensors and the warning alarm can be heard more than 200 feet away. If it works for a year it will be worth the cost. Hopefully it will last a long time.
It took about 40 minutes to install and works beautifully! This was a great purchase.
It works great with my safety sensors and the warning alarm can be heard more than 200 feet away. If it works for a year it will be worth the cost. Hopefully it will last a long time.
the sensors are suppose to be down low to protect children and animals. i would consider a second set of sensors. only input i really have on this. while it's an interesting idea, my wife doesnt touch the garage door. the garage is mine so why would she go in there? my brother hit me up the last time he was over that i should put a keypad on the outside to allow access from outside. i said no. the opener is on a wall switch and i shut the switch off immediately following the door closing. paranoid someone with some radio doodad can open the door and steal everything, everything!
Chris Adams
Well-known member
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- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
the sensors are suppose to be down low to protect children and animals. i would consider a second set of sensors. only input i really have on this. while it's an interesting idea, my wife doesnt touch the garage door. the garage is mine so why would she go in there? my brother hit me up the last time he was over that i should put a keypad on the outside to allow access from outside. i said no. the opener is on a wall switch and i shut the switch off immediately following the door closing. paranoid someone with some radio doodad can open the door and steal everything, everything!
Well, it's not paranoid if they are really after you...
When we leave town, I kill the power to both garage doors. I leave the Front power gate hot, fire code. The center power gate also must be left accessible for fire department.
But I don't worry on just being gone all day. My front garage, well, all you get is cars and junk on shelves, nothing I would lose a night's sleep on, cars are insured.
Back shop, you have to beat two gates, dogs, nosy neighbors and move the tools down the drive past the cop next door...
Still, I'll be putting in that Butler when it gets here. Looking forward to it.
Miked37945
Member
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- Oct 23, 2010
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- 17
Come on guys, I know you all are smarter than that. Common sense has to play into this decision at some point.
What if the door doesn't auto-reverse properly?
Check it before you install the closer and fix it.
What if the safety sensors are too low?
Too low for what? You're not trying to keep snakes from tripping it and most cars aren't that high.
What if I have no safety sensors?
Add them, get a new opener with them, or don't use an auto-closer.
What if I'm half way in unloading groceries and get on the phone?
Why does everyone feel a ringing phone must be answered? Let the answering machine pick it up, unload your groceries (sorry the garage is that small), pull the car in and close the door.
Which closer should you get?
The one you feel comfortable getting and/or installing. Most have the install guide available online so you can see what it takes to install it.<p>
<p> The cost of these are really a non-issue but the security and peace of mind are priceless! Pick one, make sure your door opener is working correctly and relax knowing that if someone leaves it open, it will close!
What if the door doesn't auto-reverse properly?
Check it before you install the closer and fix it.
What if the safety sensors are too low?
Too low for what? You're not trying to keep snakes from tripping it and most cars aren't that high.
What if I have no safety sensors?
Add them, get a new opener with them, or don't use an auto-closer.
What if I'm half way in unloading groceries and get on the phone?
Why does everyone feel a ringing phone must be answered? Let the answering machine pick it up, unload your groceries (sorry the garage is that small), pull the car in and close the door.
Which closer should you get?
The one you feel comfortable getting and/or installing. Most have the install guide available online so you can see what it takes to install it.<p>
<p> The cost of these are really a non-issue but the security and peace of mind are priceless! Pick one, make sure your door opener is working correctly and relax knowing that if someone leaves it open, it will close!
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
Just installed my Garage Butler, the 6 option one I got on Amazon for 36 bucks shipped.
Easy to do. My wife and I took about thirty minutes, she was there to hand me wire up on the stepladder. I don't like getting up and down, besides she thought it would be interesting and she likes it.
Works fine with my Liftmaster 3800.
Took some fiddling to place the two magnetic sensors where the rollers, etc. wouldn't snag. Hardest part, about half the time. Not that it was that hard. I used metal screws rather than the sticky tape. It gets hot here, sticky tape isn't sticky at 140.
Way too much wire with it. I cut all three leads to half length, don't need to be bundling wire.
Easy to shift times, 3 minutes is the default and that is a LONG time if you just stand there and wait.
The alarm is loud enough you can hear it over a car engine and radio.
We never forget to drop the door on the shop, but I have been afraid my wife or I will push the wrong button on one of the Homelink units while in the front yard and not realize we popped the shop door. Now I'm not worried, well worth the price.
Easy to do. My wife and I took about thirty minutes, she was there to hand me wire up on the stepladder. I don't like getting up and down, besides she thought it would be interesting and she likes it.
Works fine with my Liftmaster 3800.
Took some fiddling to place the two magnetic sensors where the rollers, etc. wouldn't snag. Hardest part, about half the time. Not that it was that hard. I used metal screws rather than the sticky tape. It gets hot here, sticky tape isn't sticky at 140.
Way too much wire with it. I cut all three leads to half length, don't need to be bundling wire.
Easy to shift times, 3 minutes is the default and that is a LONG time if you just stand there and wait.
The alarm is loud enough you can hear it over a car engine and radio.
We never forget to drop the door on the shop, but I have been afraid my wife or I will push the wrong button on one of the Homelink units while in the front yard and not realize we popped the shop door. Now I'm not worried, well worth the price.
Miked37945
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2010
- Messages
- 17
Just installed my Garage Butler, the 6 option one I got on Amazon.
Doesnt that small investment give you a huge feeling of security?
Or, would it be possible to add more sensors?
I tried to add a second set of sensors to both my Genie Xcelerator and Craftsman opener, no dice. Something about ohms or volts or photo electric eye resistance or other voodoo above my intelligence and pay grade prevent it.
My solution, I moved them up to 18", perfect bumper height for both our cars. This eliminates the chance of closing the door on the cars. My boys are teens now so I have no concerns about crushing whatever living creature is only 6" high (the recommended install height). That said my tracks and doors are well aligned and close with ease allowing me to dial down the closing force so if ever anything did get squished my door would quickly reverse.
Don't forget products like garage doors and power tools are engineered and legislated to be safe for the lowest common denominator. That's not me. Use your stuff as YOU see fit.
fattogatto
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2008
- Messages
- 167
Just installed my Garage Butler, the 6 option one I got on Amazon for 36 bucks shipped.
Easy to do. My wife and I took about thirty minutes, she was there to hand me wire up on the stepladder. I don't like getting up and down, besides she thought it would be interesting and she likes it.
Works fine with my Liftmaster 3800.
Took some fiddling to place the two magnetic sensors where the rollers, etc. wouldn't snag. Hardest part, about half the time. Not that it was that hard. I used metal screws rather than the sticky tape. It gets hot here, sticky tape isn't sticky at 140.
Way too much wire with it. I cut all three leads to half length, don't need to be bundling wire.
Easy to shift times, 3 minutes is the default and that is a LONG time if you just stand there and wait.
The alarm is loud enough you can hear it over a car engine and radio.
We never forget to drop the door on the shop, but I have been afraid my wife or I will push the wrong button on one of the Homelink units while in the front yard and not realize we popped the shop door. Now I'm not worried, well worth the price.
One problem appeared with my Garage Butler. Installation and operation are as advertised. HOWEVER, when the power switch is turned OFF - to prevent the door from closing when it gets dark, as per the instructions - all the lights go off on the control unit and the button does not activate the door - BUT, depending on the time setting - the garage door will STILL close. Again, with the power switch turned OFF. The only way to stop this activation is to unplug it. Caveat emptor.
One problem appeared with my Garage Butler. Installation and operation are as advertised. HOWEVER, when the power switch is turned OFF - to prevent the door from closing when it gets dark, as per the instructions - all the lights go off on the control unit and the button does not activate the door - BUT, depending on the time setting - the garage door will STILL close. Again, with the power switch turned OFF. The only way to stop this activation is to unplug it. Caveat emptor.
This does not happen on mine, sounds like you have a defective unit.
It even states on their webpage that it's suppose to stay open at night by flipping the switch to off.
I have left the garage door open all night by just flipping the power switch to off and it will stay up until I manually close the door.
Edit: Just noticed that you said if you power off the GB that none of the buttons activate the door. I just doubled checked mine and w/ the power switch off, I can still open & close the door with the manual button.
Which model do you have, the 101 or 201?
Last edited:
fattogatto
Well-known member
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- Jan 29, 2008
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- 167
201. Obviously defective.
1983Camperspecial
Banned
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- 96
Put your foot in someones *** for leaving it open...Its a ******** giant hole in the side of the house,, If you don't see that , you need to stay off the damn phone.