Garage door openers

[kooldino]

I'm in the market for some garage door openers.

At my old place, I had one of the Genie brand screw-type openers. Never gave me any problems, it was quiet, and reasonably priced. Basically, an older version of this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00953760000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16

I want to pick up a pair of openers now, and was wondering if there were any features on the newer models that were worth looking into.

Also, since I'm getting a pair of them, I didn't know if there was anything I should look for in terms of the remotes and such, so I don't have to carry two remotes around in each car.

 

[Ratchety]

Hey man, if I had a choice, I would install side mount openers. I have my electrician actually putting a plug in near the top of my garage door just for future options.
Like this: http://www.prodoorparts.com/products/167.cfm
This keeps the overhead space from being taken up by a track.

 

[nmanitou]

I just installed this relatively low cost opener and like it a lot. It uses a variable speed DC motor. The variable speed gives it a slow start and slow stop action and it is pretty quite. http://www.overheaddoor.com/garage-door-openers/Pages/legacy-800-chain.aspx

This is very similar to the Genie model also.

 

[wickeral]

Liftmaster is soooooooo quiet and reliable!

 

[jstroede]

I have worked on a lot of different openers, and I prefer and recommend Liftmaster products. I also have a severe dislike for screw drive units.

That being said, my first choice is the model 3800 residential jackshaft opener. It does not however work in all cases. Obviously that doesn't work if you have extension springs, or some other installation cases, and requires power in a different place (there is a remote power transformer if you don't have an outlet near, but it costs a little bit.) My second choice would be a model 3280. It is a 1/2 hp belt drive that is very quiet on a correctly operating door. Now if you need or want a battery backup capable unit, the 3800 offers that as well, but again if that doesn't work for you, the model 3850 is a very good option. It is also a 1/2 hp belt drive.

One thing you definitely don't want is one of those all in one box deals like from the box stores. Trolley style openers are MUCH better with one piece rails than those you must assemble from multiple pieces.

John

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have Wayne Dalton I-Drive openers, although I like them, I don't think I'd recommend them.

 

[jeep_n_co]

Liftmaster is soooooooo quiet and reliable!

I have to second this... A friend of mine had the noisiest garage door opener you have ever heard in your life. Sounded like a meat grinder trying to chew up sheet metal. He asked for the quietest opener on the market to be installed, and the next time I was over there, I was standing right underneath the opener and I could not hear it at all. For a "standard format" opener, I would get that without hesitation.

But I personally am going with the jackshaft opener, just because I want the overhead room.

 

[stellar91]

I just installed this very nice Craftsman unit (rebranded Chamberlain) and talk about quiet !!!! Hit all the hinges with some silicone and WOW ! Belt drive is awesome and has a battery back-up. Wait for a sale ,got all the goodies with it for $170, for a 3/4 with all the bells and whistles.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...oor+Openers&prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=L19

But if I had a little more money at the time I might have went with the jack shaft opener aswell.

 

[kenners]

I just installed a new garage door yesterday, and had them re-connect my overhead opener.
I do have two Liftmaster 3800 openers on some shed doors and would buy those again if I had any problems with an opener.

 

[kooldino]

The crafstman appears to have the best value. I also like the fact that the wireless encryption key changes every time, since the algorithm was exposed a few years ago, so older openers are vulnerable to hackers.

On the LiftMaster, what's the difference between the 3800 and the 3850?

@jstroede-
The installation seems cleaner since it's wall mounted, but I have to make sure my torsion bar is a 1" first. BTW, it doesn't appear to turn on any lights...does it?

Also, what is it that you don't like about screw drives?

 

[tanman71]

I just put up my first 3800 opener in my shop yesterday and I don't think I will ever put up another conventional opener. This thing is awesome and it does come with a remote light fixture, but I forgot to wire for that in the ceiling, I didn't put an outlet in the ceiling because I knew I was using a Liftmaster.

 

[jstroede]

The bad part about the craftsman openers is that they use a multi-piece rail. When you buy like a 3280 they come with a one piece steel rail. The belt, trolley, and everything is already assembled on it, and it is very rigid.

The 3800 and 3850 are completely different openers. The 3800 is a jackshaft opener and the 3850 is a belt driven trolley opener.

If you have a torsion bar for the springs, then I can pretty much guarantee you that it is 1".

The 3800 does not have a light on the unit like a trolley style opener, but it includes a wireless light that can be located anywhere within 6 ft of an outlet, and has the capability to control more of these lights if you wish.

Just a side note, anything over 1/2 hp is just not needed on a properly sprung door unless we start talking about some really big wood doors.

John

 

[A1an]

Some good sales are bound to show up soon. I just picked up a 1/2 hp Craftsman chain drive for $99 (and we also had a 10% coupon so it was actually $89)...I think it was regularly $130 or $140. Granted it is the bottom of the barrel but we didn't need anything fancy to open a light 1-car door.

 

[autoclassicnut]

Martindoors.com they heve the world's quietest garage door openers.

 

[jstroede]

Martin openers are made by Marantec. I have never installed a Martin opener or worked on one, but if they are anything like the Marantec openers they are very unreliable and VERY slow (like half the speed of a standard operator). We used to sell them at the company I previously worked at, and we stopped because we had so many returns and warranty claims. Now that being said, when they do work, they are very quiet and smooth operating for sure.

John

 

[C5RACNG]

The 3800 and 3850 are completely different openers. The 3800 is a jackshaft opener and the 3850 is a belt driven trolley opener.



John

where can I buy a Liftmaster? are they easy to install?
(I've installed a big box cheapo before)

 

[SgtRauksauff]

I just put in a new door and a Liftmaster about 2 weekends ago. I just googled "liftmaster 3800" and found an ebay store that was selling it for 312 shipped. I probably could have waited around and seen if the price dropped (they're now at 311) but since I had a small window to work in, it was worth it to me.

Pretty darned simple, especially if you've already got the torsion spring setup on your door.

Here's the new R12.9 insulated door we got from Menards:

Of course, things weren't super simple, the original opening was slightly too big, so we put in new headers and jambs.

And a shot of the Liftmaster:

And another angle, showing the cable tension sensor. This particular track setup kept the shaft relatively close to the top of the flag brackets, and there was JUST enough room to fit the cable tension sensor in there, and not get hit by the door, or rub on the tensioner worm gear.

--sarge

 

[tanman71]

I bought my Liftmaster 3800 off of Amazon for a reasonable price and also got the remote keypad, and two keychain style remotes. Took way less time to put up than conventional opener.

 

[at_h2o]

Well, there's 2 major garage door opener makers.

The Chamberlin group, and Overhead door group.

Chamberlin makes Sears Craftsman openers, which are do-it yourself. They also make Chamberlin, which are again, do it yourself, but more... upscale? (Basically, if youre stuck between the 2, what colour do you like better, grey or blue?) they come in chain, belt, and screw drive. but they sell more chain drive than anything else

Lastly, Chamberlin makes the Lift-Master openers. These are the more "luxury" openers I guess you could say. Or top of the line. (kind of like the Lexus to Toyota, does the same thing, but cost more) Theyre more expensive and can only be installed by a professional. They are said to be the BEST though. they come in chain, screw, ad belt drive. The beltdrives are VERY quiet. Ive only seen ONE screw drive, I doubt they sell that many. They also make a side mount opener. my grandmother had one for 20 years with no problems, then one day it started smoking, so we replaced it.

Overhead Door, makes two openers. The Genie Line, and Overhead door line.

Genie is known for their screw drive openers, which I have, and so far no problems... but i's loud. very very loud. They also make chain, belt, etc openers, but the screw drive is what theyre known for. We have a Screw Drive Pro, which means it was installed by the dealer, and not bought at Home Depot. came with the house.

Overhead door is, again, more like Lift Master. the more expensive line of Genies. They use to be very good openers, and all chain driven, util they merged with Genie, now the quality has suffered. more of the "they dont make them like they use too" is the best way to sum up Genie and Overhead door.

Then there's the openers that no one really buys, not because theyre bad, they just don't seem as popular.

1. Allstar. looks just like they did 20 (30) years ago. belt and chain drive. very reliable.
2. Linear. Use to be Moore O Matic. Chain and belt drive. I know NOTHING about these openers. Ive only ever seen one...
3. Wayne Dalton. Dont... just... dont.
4. Martin Door/Marantec. very quiet. that's all I can really say.

So, IMHO, go for something from the Chamberlin group I guess... or an Allstar.

 

[at_h2o]

just so it's known, I didnt spell check or proof read ANY of this. and dont plan on it.

 

[jdaallen]

I just put in a new door and a Liftmaster about 2 weekends ago. I just googled "liftmaster 3800" and found an ebay store that was selling it for 312 shipped. I probably could have waited around and seen if the price dropped (they're now at 311) but since I had a small window to work in, it was worth it to me.

Pretty darned simple, especially if you've already got the torsion spring setup on your door.

Here's the new R12.9 insulated door we got from Menards:

Of course, things weren't super simple, the original opening was slightly too big, so we put in new headers and jambs.

And a shot of the Liftmaster:

And another angle, showing the cable tension sensor. This particular track setup kept the shaft relatively close to the top of the flag brackets, and there was JUST enough room to fit the cable tension sensor in there, and not get hit by the door, or rub on the tensioner worm gear.

--sarge

I just installed 4 of these units in my garages and they are fantastis!! I can't say enough good about them. One great thing about them is you no longer have any "junk" hanging from the ceiling in the middle of you garage bays. They are 12 volt so it's very easy to have a battery back up system. The 1st one I had installed with a new door installation and it was quite pricey. The next 3 I bought on EBay and saved about 40%. Installation is very easy. They have all the bells and whistles available for convience and security.