garage door openers

[NPear]

Hi All,

My VEMCO garage door opener is malfunctioning. The chain jumps off the sprocket when I go to open the door. Looking at it I can see why; the gear post/axis is no longer perpendicular to the chain. It's a bit bent toward the direction of pull. It's fairly old and looks to be replaced.
My question is what brand do people recommend for a replacement? Which ones should I avoid? Thanks!

 

[Brian_B_]

I replaced my old worn out sears one with a Chamberlain 3/4 HP belt drive. It is an awesome opener and super quiet.

It came with two remotes, an outside keypad, and it has a battery backup for when the power goes out. The opener button has a motion sensor that turns on the light automatically when you step into the garage.

Dad and I put installed it in a couple of hours (and that included ripping down the old one).

 

[RedAggie03]

I'm using a cheap Chamberlain 1/2 hp chain drive. Happy with it.

 

[2manytoyz]

Back in November I installed a "3/4 HPS Whisper Drive Plus Garage Door Opener with Battery Back-up". $229 at Home Depot (online).

Installation was easy. Chain drive, but very quiet. Has a soft start/stop, so it doesn't bang the garage door.

I only really needed a 1/2 HP model, but wanted the battery backup feature. I live in FL, which is prone to power outages.

 

[Brian_B_]

Back in November I installed a "3/4 HPS Whisper Drive Plus Garage Door Opener with Battery Back-up". $229 at Home Depot (online).

Installation was easy. Chain drive, but very quiet. Has a soft start/stop, so it doesn't bang the garage door.

I only really needed a 1/2 HP model, but wanted the battery backup feature. I live in FL, which is prone to power outages.

That is about the cost of the 3/4 belt drive at HD (think it was $225 on sale). I needed the bigger one since my door is 16' wide and wood. Very heavy!

 

[NPear]

Thanks for the responses. Any thoughts on the Sommer (German), Sky Lift, Genie, Craftsman? I'm looking to get one from any of the Big 4: HD, Lowe's, OSH, ACE.

 

[AndyL]

Stick with liftmaster chamberlain or craftsman.

The new genies have some nice features, but even working for a dealer - we cant get all the parts we need... if they get the bugs cleared out they might be a nice unit... so for now - stick with liftmaster...

The others - don't waste your money

 

[BD1]

I replaced my old worn out sears one with a Chamberlain 3/4 HP belt drive. It is an awesome opener and super quiet.

It came with two remotes, an outside keypad, and it has a battery backup for when the power goes out. The opener button has a motion sensor that turns on the light automatically when you step into the garage.

Dad and I put installed it in a couple of hours (and that included ripping down the old one).

ME TOO ! Just bought it last week at Amazon on sale. $200.00 with battery
back up.

 

[jordan369]

That is about the cost of the 3/4 belt drive at HD (think it was $225 on sale). I needed the bigger one since my door is 16' wide and wood. Very heavy!

I have always been told the real lifting is done by the springs and if adjusted properly you don't need a hulking opener.

Mike

 

[Brian_B_]

I have always been told the real lifting is done by the springs and if adjusted properly you don't need a hulking opener.

Mike

That is true. Opening by hand it was not THAT bad.

The 1/2 HP one that was on there could barely lift it for some reason. It finally burned out from it (was installed in 76).

When I replaced..the 3/4 HP was not much more..so why not?

 

[jordan369]

That is true. Opening by hand it was not THAT bad.

The 1/2 HP one that was on there could barely lift it for some reason. It finally burned out from it (was installed in 76).

When I replaced..the 3/4 HP was not much more..so why not?

More power is always good.

Mike

 

[AndyL]

The difference nowadays between a 1/2 and 3/4 is the starting capacitor - the rest of the unit is identical... unless you've got one of these heavy **** wood carriage style doors - get the half...

 

[TonyF]

I have a 3/4 Chamberlain. Wasnt really impressed on how flimsy the angle iron to hang it and the little bar in which the opening mechanism slid on was. However, I dont know that some of the others are better these days. I picked it because the speed which the door opened was pretty fast.

This may sound weird but it is also so quiet that I watch it close all the way before I walk in. On the old one I had I could hear it if it started reversing and not closing.

 

[NPear]

I appreciate the insight provided. I'm leaning toward the Chamberlain but need to look at the Craftsman a bit more.

 

[SimS]

I just installed a Sommer from Home Depot Online. Free shipping. Super Quiet trick 24V DC motor with soft start, learn mode and HomeLink compatible. I like it.

 

[2manytoyz]

That is about the cost of the 3/4 belt drive at HD (think it was $225 on sale). I needed the bigger one since my door is 16' wide and wood. Very heavy!

My mistake, it IS a belt drive. Had a brain fart. Mine got great reviews on the Home Depot website, but looks like that model has been discontinued. Probably added a new widget to keep up with the competition.

 

[NPear]

So, I ended up going with the Chamberlain 1/2 hp WhisperDrive. I'm pretty happy with it. I like the features on it. It was a bit finicky for a few days with the door not wanting to shut all the way from time to time, requiring fiddling with the down force setting. It would seem to be set, then the next day not be. It also seems the sender and receiver eyes would go goofy during the mornings, when there was more sun hitting the garage, while I was at work, so it wouldn't work right for my wife. But all indications to me were that they were well mounted and aimed, with the indicator lights constantly on as they should be. My wife reported during the mornings that the eyes' lights were not on constantly, so she adjusted them so they were solid, and it's worked fine ever since. Teamwork.
Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[HAP]

For torsion springs, the only opener is the Liftmaster 3800 I have 3. Absolutly the best openers I ever had.

HAP

 

[upndown]

NPear, if you continue to have sunlight problems, just swap sides!! Done this many times, customer thinks it's magic.. HAHA

 

[Herb67SS]

I appreciate the insight provided. I'm leaning toward the Chamberlain but need to look at the Craftsman a bit more.

Sears openers are generally made by Chamberlain, just packaged with Sears name on them. Also, the diff between HD sold units and those sold by S ears or Lowes is usually only unique packaging or bundling of "extras" into the box. The model numbers will often reflect who sold it therefore, what if any, unique features were either put in it, or left off of it. Just like dishwashers, most are made by only 2 or 3 companies.

 

[Djernie]

I installed the sommer. Glad I did. Best decision I made. Can't hear a thing when opening or closing.