Installed an Automatic Carriage Door Opener

[Patrick in DC]

Video: Installed an Automatic Carriage Door Opener

Hey all,

Been lurking around the site for a while but haven't posted until now (I used to live in a condo). Long story short, I ended up with a 1 car garage in Northern Virginia that has carriage doors on it. My dad came up to visit a few weeks ago and we installed an automatic opener for the doors. It was a fun project, and I think it came out pretty well. Here are a couple videos of the door in operation:

From inside:

From outside:

The left-side door was the anchor door, and didn't get opened very often, so it drags slightly in the videos. I'll need to rasp the bottom of the door a little to prevent unnecessary stress on all the hardware.

Let me know if you have any comments/feedback/questions!

 

[Hpozzuoli]

That's pretty cool. I have never seen one before. Well done.

 

[1940_dodge]

Post something different with no instructions/progress pictures?

This is a travesty.

 

[1bad69ss]

That's cool! That was a great idea and it looks like it opens real smooth.

 

[Patrick in DC]

Hi all, just writing to let you know that I'm willing to sell this setup for a good price. If you're in the DC/MD/VA area and are interested, get in touch with me (via PM on this site or at [email protected]) - I'm moving in two weeks and don't need to bring it with me.

The opener is made by Sommer direct and includes two wireless transmitters, one wired transmitter, and the two required safety lasers. It's got the required adapters to work with carriage doors. All of the Sommer direct stuff is made in Germany - it's quiet, low-profile, and smooth. The other pieces (for the carriage door) came from a company in the carolinas and it's really sturdy stuff also.

(I don't have the 100 post requirement for the Classified section, so excuse me for listing this information here)

 

[ar2stp48]

Thanks for sharing. I like the idea and feel the need to build an opener of this design soon. Here is a link to another design. Like the mechanics of yours; now to study video of both closely. Does yours auto lock when fully closed?