Garage Door Opener - Need advice

[Domochu]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading for a while but it's the first time I get out of the shadow and post a topic. I've searched a bit but there isn't a topic that addresses my questions so here I go:

Been looking to replace an old (so old that when I Google it, I can't even find it) garage door opener because:
1) I cannot find a remote that can pair to it...so I've been living without remote since I ever got the house (1 year ago).
2) It's constantly making this electric buzzing noise and since it's right under a living area, it kind of bothers me.

I'm not sure if I need a 1/2 or 3/4 HP...I cannot find any information on the current opener (an old Lynx 455, the models I get on Google are not the same as the one I have...it must be like 20 years old)

What's the difference between belt-driven, screw-driven or chain-driven? I'm leaning towards belt-driven since it apparently is the quietest. But in terms or durability/reliability?

Can anyone suggest a few models/brands I should look at? (I'm in Canada)
What about this one? http://www.homedepot.ca/product/whi...-opener-with-battery-backup-150-3-4-hp/937038

Thanks

 

[pattenp]

Re: Garage Door Opener - Need advices

You'll drive yourself nuts trying to figure out whats best. Between the three I like them in this order, belt drive first, screw drive second and chain drive last. This is mainly because of the quietness of each. The larger the motor usually the higher the durability. I don't think you can go wrong with the 3/4 hp Chamberlain one you posted from Home Depot.

 

[Gary S]

Re: Garage Door Opener - Need advices

What size and weight door do you have? That determines what size opener you need. I installed a 1/3 hp Genie on an 8' uninsulated door in 1976. It is still running strong, and a larger opener would have been a big waste of money. I installed a 1/2 hp Stanley on a 16' insulated door in 1992. It is plenty power for a 16 foot door. It too is still working. My current garage has two openers built in the 1960s. They are probably 1/4 hp and work well on 9' wide insulated doors.
Unless today's doors have false HP ratings, you don't need anything over 1/2 hp to operate a 16-18' wide door, or a 1/3 hp to operate a single wide door.
Spend more if you want, but who else here has 50 year old openers working better than my 1/4 hp ones? Step in if you do.

 

[Domochu]

Re: Garage Door Opener - Need advices

Thanks for the replies.

To be honest I haven't measured the door's width. I'm not home now. It's not a double garage but a large single garage. So my guess is something around 12-13' wide. Probably insulated (Canada)...how do I check?

 

[Domochu]

Re: Garage Door Opener - Need advices

I also replaced all the metal door rollers with heavy duty nylon rollers. With the belt drive gdo and the new rollers, my door is quiet!

Great idea. Thanks

 

[shanker]

Re: Garage Door Opener - Need advices

the local guy I call when I have garage door problems also says its very important to get a garage door opened that does not have a multi-piece shaft between it and the garage door. He said that the ones they sell via the guys like him, even tough they have the SAME body and opener itself, come with single piece shafts which he says are stronger and will hold up better if someone tries to pry your garage door open.

 

[Domochu]

Thanks for all the advices.

Decided to go with the LiftMaster 8550. I found a place that sells it with the 1 piece belt rail for 389$ CAD. So I may just go there, get it and install it with a friend.

Thanks

 

[jstroede]

http://www.lynx-nsw.com/

That is a link to the company of your opener. It is not really all that old.

The LM 8550 is an excellent unit.

John

 

[ddawg16]

I keep wishing my screw drive would die so I could go with a liftmaster...I hate having that opener taking up so much space....