Garage door opener dilema

[McVicker]

I don't have ANY overhead room for a garage door opener. So I'm pretty much stuck with a jackshaft style opener. Here is my problem, my door is only 8x8 i believe and I do not have a torsion spring style mechanism. Okay so the question is, do I have to convert my tension type springs to a torsion type (is that even possible)? If I do not have to convert the springs then will the jackshaft opener just bolt right up?
Thats pretty much all I have to ask since I wasn't really sure of either of them.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[bmwpower]

You can replace the tension springs with a torsion setup. You will need a solid shaft torsion bar, not a hollow one. After you do all that, the jackshaft opener will mount right up using the supplied sprockets and chain. Also, you could install an iDrive unit which mounts on the torsion bar...search on here for idrive...you should get a bunch of results.

 

[larry4406]

Whatever you do, do not use the idrive by wayne dalton. mine worked fine for about 2 months, then started to give problems. adjusted the unit per instructions, worked ok for a week or so, then more problems. had the door professionally balanced, then the idrive yanked the door off the track and it is now bent. I believe the unit design is half baked - Lowe's initially wouldn't take it back, had to get authorization from wayne dalton for them to do so.

I am still looking for a quality trouble free jackshaft design.

 

[bmwpower]

Check out LiftMaster.

 

[nova65ss]

I'm with Larry stay away from the I-drive. How much is any 1"-2" or less. If you have at least 9" above the door opening you can use a conventional door opener with low headroom tracks.

If you don't have any headroom a torsion systyem will not fit because it is about 4" higher than the openeing as well. Alot of times we use extension hardware just because the torsion won't fit. I would recommend an opener called a Miracle it is very expensive probably around 700 bucks ( but so is a jackshaft and you won't need to convert it to torsion). I have installed several of these and they work very well, with the extension setup you will need a double motor setup just because the extension springs works independently from each other and unless they are perfectly matched it will come up crooked. Let me know if I can explain it to you anymore, or help you with the purchase. I may be able to get it for a little less than you can.

http://miracleinstrument.com/garage.html


Jimmy

 

[JMURiz]

Question, would the I-drive work better with the WayneDalton torsion-master spring setup? Since it is their complete inhouse design, just wondering.
BTW, that miracle is very cool, too bad it costs to much!

(edit) Does this opener have remotes for the cars? Hard to tell from their site, not much info.

 

[BowtieNut]

I'm with these guys, no I-drive for me. I tried one and had nothing but problems. I tried to call their customer service and could never get through, so I took it down and returned it. A week or so later, someone from their customer service finally called me back. I was very polite and explained the whole situation, and told her that I already had returned it. Her response was "oh, okay" and hung up. Needless to say, I'm glad that I returned it, and Wayne Dalton will never get any of my money.

 

[bmwpower]

Wow. I thought I remember reading a bunch of success stories with the iDrive on here. My mistake for recommending it.

 

[BearHit]

My I-Drive works well - I think I finally set the torque stiff enough...

I've had mine about a year.

 

[cw_racefan]

I'm with Larry stay away from the I-drive. How much is any 1"-2" or less. If you have at least 9" above the door opening you can use a conventional door opener with low headroom tracks.

If you don't have any headroom a torsion systyem will not fit because it is about 4" higher than the openeing as well. Alot of times we use extension hardware just because the torsion won't fit. I would recommend an opener called a Miracle it is very expensive probably around 700 bucks ( but so is a jackshaft and you won't need to convert it to torsion). I have installed several of these and they work very well, with the extension setup you will need a double motor setup just because the extension springs works independently from each other and unless they are perfectly matched it will come up crooked. Let me know if I can explain it to you anymore, or help you with the purchase. I may be able to get it for a little less than you can.

http://miracleinstrument.com/garage.html


Jimmy

Wow, those are pretty cool! Found the two motor unit for $500. I may have to think about them myself!

 

[McVicker]

There is clearance above the garage door opening, but when rolled up where the track would sit there is no clearance, so the jackshaft is pretty much the only option. About how much does it cost to convert the springs to torsion ones?
Thanks for the info also, I looked at the Miracle and didn't really like the design of it. Anyone have a recommendation for a liftmaster jackshaft opener under or around 400?

-Dan

 

[nova65ss]

So when the door is up there is less than 3" between the door and the rafters/ joists? If so you probably don't have enough room for the torsion system either. Got some specifics on the clearance?


How wide is the door, it would cost about 250 to convert a small door and maybe 350 to do a double door. That's about what we get anyway, including labor.

Jimmy

 

[McVicker]

I'm In Virginia right now, but I'll post some pictures of what I mean when I get home tomorrow.
Basically, when the door is down, there is about 8-10 inches of clearance between the door and the ceiling, not the track. When the door is up all the way, the track and the door are basically touching the ceiling.

 

[mklipsch2]

I have a Wayne Dalton Doormaster with Wayne Dalton Doors. They have been installed by me, and I have not had any major problems for about 5 years! I have had to occasionally reset the openers, but it's not like it's a major dilemma! You put a paperclip into a hole on the opener control in the garage, and BAM.....it's done. I did have to find my Wayne Dalton authorized dealer to purchase the Doormaster, but it is worth it. I have a clear ceiling and no **** up there to detract from the "room"! The best thing is that you can install with little headroom for tight spaces! I will post pics later..........I just joined the group and love it so far!

 

[dmicelli]

Liftmaster is coming out with a residential jackshaft unit in June, supposed to debut at the show in Vegas soon, some states you can't use the comercial jackshafts. Residential one is supposed to have some type of electric eye to ensure the cables don't spin off like they do on the dalton's.

 

[bmwpower]

Liftmaster is coming out with a residential jackshaft unit in June, supposed to debut at the show in Vegas soon, some states you can't use the comercial jackshafts. Residential one is supposed to have some type of electric eye to ensure the cables don't spin off like they do on the dalton's.

Cool. Maybe they'll be a little cheaper, too. I believe you can get IR eyes with the commercial units, too.

 

[RJRKCJ]

Last week I did a bunch of searches for door parts to raise my garge door to accomodate my new lift and came accross an opener that mounted to the wall next to one side.

The opener operated the same as if it was mounted on the ceiling. Same opener, different in how it attached to the door. Operation was up and down on the wall with the mounting braket attached to the side bottom of the door.

Sorry but I did not bookmark the site or I would have lited it here.

I will keep looking