Garage door opener light bulbs?

[1982fxr]

This will be my first time buying door opener light bulbs, both went out within about a month of each other. It's a Chamberlain Whisper Drive.

I was just going to see what's in it now and try to get those. Thought I'd ask though, any particular readily available bulbs better than others?

I work next to a home depot if that's a good supplier?

 

[Bucko]

What type of bulbs did you have in it, interesting they went out so soon. Typically LED is a no-no due to possible issues with the remote opener interference. I know Genie makes (or sells with their name on it) a LED bulb that works with openers but they are not cheap.

 

[Ray-CA]

I typically use appliance style bulbs as they tend to be a little bit sturdier and vibration resistant.

 

[1982fxr]

What type of bulbs did you have in it, interesting they went out so soon. Typically LED is a no-no due to possible issues with the remote opener interference. I know Genie makes (or sells with their name on it) a LED bulb that works with openers but they are not cheap.

They were years old. Haven't taken them out yet to see what they are.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I use regular LED medium base bulbs. Haven’t changed them in over 4 years when I took out CFLs and put in LEDs. No interference, no issues with either kind. 4 cars with Homelink, 2 wireless keypads, 2 wired wall panels. Never have had any issues with LEDs, not had any issues with CFLs. CFLs came on dim but that is their normal behavior.

 

[MeentSS02]

What type of bulbs did you have in it, interesting they went out so soon. Typically LED is a no-no due to possible issues with the remote opener interference. I know Genie makes (or sells with their name on it) a LED bulb that works with openers but they are not cheap.

Single data point: I've been using LED bulbs in both of my low rent, chain drive Overhead Door brand openers for ~10 years. I've never personally had an issue, and both bulbs still work to this day (as I'd expect).

They were standard Cree 60W replacement, E26 base bulbs from Home Depot (i.e. nothing fancy).

 

[BillK]

I also have a single LED in mine. Just stay away from the "no name" leds and you will probably be fine. I prefer GE and WalMart has them.

If you want to stick with incandescent see if you can find some "rough service" bulbs for drop lights.

 

[jlv03]

Lowe's has some garage door opener specific LED lights:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Garage-Door-60-Watt-EQ-A19-Daylight-LED-Light-Bulb/1000723576

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Garage-Light-100-Watt-EQ-A19-Daylight-LED-Light-Bulb-2-Pack/5000197441

 

[Mr_fixit]

I use a screw in handi plug ( screw in socket adapter) and then use a 2 bulb 4' fixture. I'm getting old and want to see.

 

[Bekeart]

What type of bulbs did you have in it, interesting they went out so soon. Typically LED is a no-no due to possible issues with the remote opener interference. I know Genie makes (or sells with their name on it) a LED bulb that works with openers but they are not cheap.

I remember reading that "rough service" bulbs were suggested for garage door openers to withstand the vibrations.
Same bulbs, same reason that were recommended for Drop/Trouble light use.
This was from the pre LED days when we used the "hot filament incandescent" bulbs.

Unlike standard LED bulbs, GE Garage Door Opener LED bulbs are specifically designed not to interfere with garage door opener signals.

Recently I replaced the "hot filament incandescent" bulbs in garage door opener with common LED lamps and did not have any problem.
Was not even aware of the special Garage Door Opener variety.
With Lowe's price being $20.98 for two bulbs, I would suggest trying a common bargain no name LED and see if they work.

I use a screw in handi plug ( screw in socket adapter) and then use a 2 bulb 4' fixture. I'm getting old and want to see.

I like that idea. Lowe's recently had these on sale. I replaced aged ailing fluorescent fixtures.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-UT-2-PK-Shop-Light-4000-Lumens/5001264247

The shop is now much brighter, wish i was ...

 

[mike93lx]

I've never had a problem with led bulbs in my openers

 

[sz0k30]

I've never had a problem with led bulbs in my openers

I have about a 2 year old Chamberlain and LED's don't work in mine.

 

[Klokwerk]

I've never had a problem with led bulbs in my openers

Same here. I have a Chamberlin myQ B970 and put a couple Cree LEDs in it without issue.
I did notice that Chamberlain sells garage door specific bulbs designed to cut down on interference. Something to it I guess?

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I use a compact fluorescent, no problems. Not a lot of light, but enough to keep from stumbling around as i find the light switch.

 

[mike93lx]

I have about a 2 year old Chamberlain and LED's don't work in mine.

Maybe try different bulbs?

 

[Old Steamer]

I use LED in both of mine with no issues. Amarr openers installed in 1993.

Can anyone go deeper into what the interference issues with the openers might be?

 

[mike93lx]

I use LED in both of mine with no issues. Amarr openers installed in 1993.

Can anyone go deeper into what the interference issues with the openers might be?

The LED's emitting rf noise blocking the remote signal

 

[neverdone]

Cheap LEDs are the issue. I don’t remember the exact standard, (maybe FCC?), but bulbs that meet that standard are ok for no interference. If the bulbs don’t have it, they are suspect to cause the interference.

 

[mikedodge]

If you stick with normal bulbs but the rough use kind like Some one else said. Normal ones don't last too long with the vibrations.
Ours is long over due for bulbs they've been out for years so I might try led's.

 

[lolaetype]

I've used CFL s and later LED bulbs. No problems with either. The LED bulbs I buy are GE brand.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I have about a 2 year old Chamberlain and LED's don't work in mine.

I bet that your problem is that the metal (hot contact) tab at the bottom of the bulb socket is not making contact with the metal (hot) terminal on the center of the bulb base. Some LEDs have shorter bases and they don’t make contact with socket middle tab. Easy to fix - unplug your garage door opener from power, remove the bulb from the socket, use a screwdriver or needle nose pliers to lift up the hot contact tab in the middle of the bulb socket. Plug the opener back in and try an LED bulb. It should now work. By lifting the socket tab slightly, the shorter bulb base would be able to make proper contact.

Unplug or cut power to the opener before you touch that metal tab.

 

[Badgerstate]

This will be my first time buying door opener light bulbs, both went out within about a month of each other. It's a Chamberlain Whisper Drive.

I was just going to see what's in it now and try to get those. Thought I'd ask though, any particular readily available bulbs better than others?

I work next to a home depot if that's a good supplier?

Just make sure you get bulbs that are made for garage door openers. Some will cause electrical interference and cause issues with the remote control.

 

[Innovate1]

I would try LED bulbs as others have suggested. If you have trouble I would try another brand. Or you can go old style incandescent. They make rough service bulbs as others have noted. Some of them are rated for 130V which makes them run slightly lower temp at 120V so should last longer and take the vibration better. Not sure how available they are.

 

[joseywales]

If you don’t feel like you’re getting enough light through the Chamberlain cover, you can go with a higher wattage bulb than is recommended. Once the heat burns completely through the cover, melting a nice sized hole, the light shines through better. Ask me how I know…

 

[PoorUB]

I few years back I was tired of replacing bulbs in the door opener. I screwed a flood light fixture to the ceiling and ran the wires to the door opener and cut into the light circuit.