Garage Door opener with 32” radius track

[formula388]

My dad bought a house with a garage that does not have an opener. He wants one, so my brother scheduled an install and they came with an overhead ceiling mounted opener but said they can’t install a ceiling mounted opener because the door has a 32” radius track on it with torsion springs. They suggested a side mount opener for about $900 installed. (The ceiling mount would have been $500)
My dad called other places and they don’t have a problem with the ceiling install they said.
Who is right! What type of opener should be used?

 

[FredWanaker]

the problem may not be the radius of the track but rather the headroom above it. There has to be room above it for the opener rail. A 32 inch radius track in a vaulted garage has plenty of room. A low ceiling in a garage with the same track might not have room for the opener rail. Be sure you tell the people you call how high the ceiling / joists / trusses are above the door when the door is open.

 

[Kenstone1]

"Quick Turn Brackets" are replacements for the topmost brackets on a garage door and are designed to lower top door section to run flush with the top of the track when open (horizontal), rather than above it, allowing room for the opener.
Here are some that are typical:

Garage Doors Building and Hardware Quick Turn Top Fixture Brackets with 4 Steel Rollers Low Headroom - - Amazon.com

Garage Doors Building and Hardware Quick Turn Top Fixture Brackets with 4 Steel Rollers Low Headroom - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Read the reviews...
"Gave me a lot of clearance to install a garage door opener. Alot easier then installing a double track."

"I got about 3+ inches. On a garage door with this roller assembly. I was told I couldn't have a automatic garage door in my small low headroom garage. This product proved them wrong. My Track system sits one inch from the ceiling and my door opens perfectly."

There are other QT brackets on amazon, search for them.

or Home Depot

Clopay Quick Turn Bracket without Rollers 0120510 - The Home Depot

Alert you to motion around your property by selecting this Clopay Quick Turn Bracket without Rollers.

www.homedepot.com

You'll need another roller though and use the existing rollers.

And there's this "other" design:

Here's ALL your options, with the quick turns being cheap/simple.

This guy moved the opener track out from over the door all the way back behind the door when open and used a loooong attachment bracket. pretty unique:

 

[formula388]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Viper98912]

I had 32" in a previous home, on purpose (as a high lift), and used a side mount (on purpose, for the high lift).

If I think about it, as long as your J-arm on the ceiling opener (or whatever they call it) that connects the ceiling opener to the door is long enough, it should theoretically work. But the angle and stop points may be a little strange, and maybe even a little more challenging to get to work, when compared to a 12" radius. It's possible it might not work?

Are you or your dad and your brother handy? If so, buy the side mount opener (Chamberlain or Liftmaster) yourselves for $400-$500 and put it up yourselves. It's a straight forward install that normally isn't too bad unless your torsion shaft is cut too short.

 

[formula388]

Are you or your dad and your brother handy? If so, buy the side mount opener (Chamberlain or Liftmaster) yourselves for $400-$500 and put it up yourselves. It's a straight forward install that normally isn't too bad unless your torsion shaft is cut too short.

I considered this, I have so many projects for myself and my father at his new house this was for my brother to figure out. He lives out of state… I think I will end up installing the side mount, I measured, he has the clearance on the side and the shaft length available so I think it’ll be easy enough.

 

[firebirdparts]

That's a big radius, but an overhead opener would still work if you have room above the tracks. You just need a longer rigid connection between the top of the door and the opener. Anyway, I have no idea if you have room or not.