Liftmaster 3800 Jackshaft opener installed..

[Steve1968LS2]

And I LOVE IT!!

My old convential opener died, so it was time for a new one. I had seen the 3800 mentioned here and really liked the idea of no opener over my car.

the problem was that I couldn't find anyone willing to install it around me. They all said "it's too hard" or said they didn't have a qualified tech.

The places I did find wanted stupid money to put it in. One place quoted a MINIMUM price of $750 installed (with no options).

Well, I was just going to get a regular opener when I got an advertisement about a company. Called them up and they said no problem on the 3800 and it only cost me $200 more than a nice belt drive unit. Plus it came with a few extras.

So, $550 later I have it installed (took the guy about 2-3 hours). It's whisper quiet and now I can remove the beams over my car, drywall the ceiling or add lights without having to work around a traditional opener.

A great product and I highly reccomend it.

Opener:
http://www.liftmaster.com/ConsumerWeb/pages/productmodeldetail.aspx?modelId=834

I will add a picture later for those that MUST have one.. lol

 

[C G]

I just bought one of these from board member nova65ss. He is a dealer for these. I prefer to buy stuff from board members here and on the HAMB considering how much FREE info I get from both places. I havent installed it yet, it looks pretty straightforward and simple though...maybe if I can pry myself out of the Lazyboy today =)

 

[RacerX]

I bought 2 of them for my new garage build. Installed them myself
on my 16' x 8' doors. I also bought the battery backup units for them.

Very simple to install and calibrate. Maybe an hour or so each unit.
I also installed the wiring thru the studs before I put the drywall up, terminated into boxes and put faceplates on the boxes after install.

Yeah, I'm ****...

They look great, work flawlessly and quiet and I like the temperature and time on the displays and the fact they light up so you can see them at night in the dark garage.

Great product.

 

[67pete300]

Amen, brother! I love mine too. It's hard to imagine before you do how much difference a REALLY nice garage door opener can make. I wouldn't have guessed it.

 

[5wndwcpe]

I bought 2 of them for my new garage build. Installed them myself
on my 16' x 8' doors. I also bought the battery backup units for them.

Very simple to install and calibrate. Maybe an hour or so each unit.
I also installed the wiring thru the studs before I put the drywall up, terminated into boxes and put faceplates on the boxes after install.

Yeah, I'm ****...

They look great, work flawlessly and quiet and I like the temperature and time on the displays and the fact they light up so you can see them at night in the dark garage.

Great product.

That's exactly what I did. With the wiring concealed, it makes for a very neat appearence.

 

[jgira12]

I haven't installed mine yet...waiting for summer! Anyway, I heard you can simply re-use the existing wall switch and wiring if you are just replacing a liftmaster overhead unit. All that you have to do is install the jackshaft and program it, correct?

 

[toms73novass]

I have one in my shop, Great unit!!! If the one in my regular garage ever goes It is getting replaced with a 3800!

 

[rocketman]

The side mount 3800's seem to be the way to go. When my current 13 year old Liftmaster buys it, that'll be the replacement. No center mounted rail will be nice. Looks so much cleaner.

Considering high rise door rails too so I can change the soft top on my beast without closing the door. Anyone ever retrofit high rise rails onto an existing door? My door is fine otherwise.

 

[Steve1968LS2]

I just installed the Everlast battery backup today... if the power goes out I can still get in my garage

Seemed worth it for $50...

 

[FarmerSid]

I got one for christmas and installed it over the holiday's. Super easy to install and the door makes more noise than the opener. Had a bit of a time getting the limits set so after 4 beers, I figured out that I had to take the plastic tab out of the remote in order for the remote to work! LOL! Dumb instructions don't tell you this till later in the installation.

 

[tacampbell]

I haven't installed mine yet...waiting for summer! Anyway, I heard you can simply re-use the existing wall switch and wiring if you are just replacing a liftmaster overhead unit. All that you have to do is install the jackshaft and program it, correct?

The door sensors are the same as all the chamberlan / liftmaster / sears units have been using for years, so when I swapped out my Sears for the 3800, I didn't even change the sensors already at the bottom of the door.

As for the panel, it is NOT the same as any other - but it does use the same 2-wire connection - so you can use the existing wiring for the install. I highly recommend replacing your old button unit with the new one BEFORE you connect the old two-wire line to your new 3800. The circuit board of your old button unit may confuse the 3800 if you leave it attached.

 

[kvom]

I also bought 2 units from nova65ss, installed them myself. Super units. I have the external keypad to open one of the doors, and it's one of the best features of the unit. I also like the locking mechanism when the door is closed.

I preinstalled the wires for the panels, but apparently they got cut when the drywall was installed. I had to run new wires, but they are not really noticeable.

 

[BigChevy80]

I'm considering one of these. The regular Sears opener I have was installed right before we bought the house in '05, but it is such a cheap piece of junk that I may just get rid of it...

 

[a3tripod]

Are these something that I can use to replace my existing liftmaster belt driven units? I have the typical/regular paneled overhead doors. I want to get a lift installed in my garage, and my current openers would be in the way. Are these things really DIY?

Edit: What's a reasonable price for one of these? I see the OP paid $550 installed...

 

[Nugent1021]

I have been quoted $575 each for 4 (hardware and installation). The 3850 was quoted for me at $350 each. Tough to decide. The local company is pretty reputable.

 

[racefab57]

Id be very interested in finding out more on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the pic of the 3800 doesnt show sh^%. HELP,HELP.!!!DR.

 

[kvom]

Are these things really DIY?

I installed two myself. The first took about 2.5 hours, as I had to mount a scaffold and went up and down a lot more often than I really needed. The second took about an hour, as I took everything I knew I'd need up on the scaffold, and as well did everything that was needed at ground level first (i.e., installing lock, sensors, and sensor wiring, mounting clamp to opener).

The only "tricky" part for me was positioning the cable tension sensor. On the first one I didn't put it high enough so that door hit it the first time I tried it. It is useful to have someone who can open the door while you hold the sensor in place to check clearance, before attaching it permanently.

My 3800 openers cost ~$300 shipped, so with a $575 quote DIY install saves $275 each.

The only shop tool I used that I didn't already have was a unibit for drilling the center hole for the lack in the track.

 

[a3tripod]

Well, that kinda paints the DIY picture. I've hijacked this thread enough. I'll start a new one once I get the units delivered and I'm ready to roll. Thanks!