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Liftmaster 3800

Spam16v

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Oct 31, 2010
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368
Location
B-low NY
Looking to put in two jackshaft openers on my custom track 9x7 high lift doors. Any other options I should look into in the $275-350 range? (Amazon price of 3800) Or just do the 3800's and live my life.
 
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jstroede

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Oct 28, 2010
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Location
Kansas City
Well the liftmaster 8500 is the new version of it with all the new bells and whistles like comparibility with all of liftmaster's newest accessories.

John
 

Mytwocargarage

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Jun 20, 2013
Messages
3
I have a question for a pro that knows about 3800 and 8500's. I have a 3800 and have had problems with reception since it was installed, I have had logic boards replaced and then continue to have poor range and many times I have to get out of the car and get close to open it. I recently found out that I could get the 888LM to upgrade my 3800 but have discovered I would lose my smart LCD panel because of the limits of powering multiple panels and my current smart panel isn't compatible with the security+2.0, but I'm bothered I'm losing a premium smart panel to step down to an idiot light panel but they don't have a smart panel for those that upgrade to the 888LM. So I was thinking what is difference between the 3800 vs. the 8500? Is the only difference the logic board and control panels? so I wondered if I could put a 8500 logic board into my 3800 and then I could get the LCD smart panel compatible with the 8500 and still have a Smart LCD. I don't want to downgrade to a non LCD panel just because the system will only support 1 control. I would like to have the 880LM to replace my 398LM but from I can read from online I can't have the 888LM and the 880LM because the opener cannot power both of them only one and I need the 888LM to have MYQ upgrade and security 2.0 to resolve my reception problems.

So back to my question could I just replace the logic board in the 3800 to the 8500 logic board and then buy the 880LM Smart control panel? or am I stuck with the idiot light 888LM and forced to throw away my 398LM smart control panel? Any help in this matter would help. I know another idea would be to buy a 8500 but my opener is 2 years old I really don't want to buy another opener just upgrade it and hopefully be able to have a smart control panel if possible.
 
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AndyL

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Feb 22, 2012
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1,371
Location
Vancouver
ok, difference between the 3800 and 8500 is just the wall station (yes the 888LM); the opener hasn't changed, no new logic - same opener you've known and loved... Same logic board...

Now in theory - they tell us the 893max triband transmitter's supposed to have better range than the one that came with the 3800. It's a relatively cheap transmitter online to buy - might be worth a shot.

Range is rarely an issue on the 3800's that I've seen - might want to clear out CFL and LED bulbs if you have them in the garage?

Alternate option a liftmaster 312hm receiver, on a wall wart - with the coax extension to the exterior - almost always solves the issue (and you keep your current transmitters)

spam16v - there are no real alternatives in the price range, only other real choice is the raynor branded 3800 - or a zap (more $)
 

Mytwocargarage

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Jun 20, 2013
Messages
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Andy the 3800 and 8500 have different logic boards and travel modules and the control panel. The 3800 can be upgraded with the 888LM (with idiot lights) but if you have a LCD Smart control panel you loose that in place of the upgrade but you can have a LCD Smart control panel on the 8500 because the logic board supports it, but I can't have a smart panel if I upgrade to the 888LM because the logic board has to support it. Also having more then 1 control panel is not recommended per LM and there instructions because of power limitations. I could try to use my existing control panel but according to them functions and other features will no longer work on it so then what's the point. I like the ease of the LCD smart panel, the clock, the temp the programing and alerts it states and I loose mine if I want to upgrade and they don't have a 888LM with a LCD smart panel. I just feel like I'm downgrading if I have to choose this path, and I loose a perfectly good smart panel that no longer is compatible with the 888LM, I was hoping I could atleast use the 880LM but they said I could not use them together.

Logic boards:
  • 3800 = 41DJ001
  • 8500 = 041DJ002

Travel Module/Encoder:
  • 3800 = Absolute Encoder 41A6118
  • 8500 = Travel Module 41A6408

880LM Smart Control Panel -Compatible with 8500 (requires security+ 2.0 door openers with MyQ)

398LM Smart Control Panel compatible with 3800 (I have this one, it's not compatible with the 888LM)

so the issue is I'm downgrading if I upgrade...that's a weird statement, but I loose my smart panel to gain the radio upgrade with improved range and MyQ which I'm not sure I need. My thought is if I upgraded the logic board to the 8500 and the travel module and then I could again have a smart panel 880LM and in essence I would have a 8500 an no problems of the 3800 anymore.
 

AndyL

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Feb 22, 2012
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1,371
Location
Vancouver
I'll have to see if they've changed things - last 8500 I saw was only different on the wall station (which is what adds the security+2.0).

But I know it wouldn't take the 880LM, so unless there's a radical difference since the last one I saw; they were identical on the operator side. which is why they're using the MyQ retrofit panel rather than the 'nicer' MyQ LCD panels.
 

mvessey

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Mar 14, 2014
Messages
1
Know if the 8500 requires a break in period? Mine runs smooth until the last 12 inches before the door closes it jerks up and down pretty bad. A garage repairman said it just needs to break in. What do you guys think?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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AndyL

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Feb 22, 2012
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Location
Vancouver
It typically slows at the floor - but shouldn't jerk/bounce. Disconnect the opener and see how the door operates by hand in that range. You'll discover the problem I'm sure
 

djjsr

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Sep 4, 2006
Messages
4,796
Location
In the cornfields
Mine runs smooth until the last 12 inches before the door closes it jerks up and down pretty bad. A garage repairman said it just needs to break in. What do you guys think?


My 3800 did that. Try resetting the travel and force limits. Follow the instructions to the T.
 

Responder

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Nov 1, 2009
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Location
Saskatoon, SK
Old thread revival!

I have three 8500's in my garage and it seems that over the last year it is hit and miss as to the range that I am able to open the door from on two of the doors. Nothing has changed in my garage and no new electrical work has been done. Oh ya, I have also changed the batteries in the remotes.

I was looking at the little receiver antenna wire that they use and has anyone extended that wire or done anything different to improve range?

Thanks in advance.
 

58Yeoman

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Oct 1, 2010
Messages
8,999
Location
Central IL
My two Craftsman openers are trouble free and cheap. The Genie is very noisy. What's up with all the LM's?
 

BobRae

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Joined
Oct 2, 2014
Messages
96
Old thread revival!

I have three 8500's in my garage and it seems that over the last year it is hit and miss as to the range that I am able to open the door from on two of the doors. Nothing has changed in my garage and no new electrical work has been done. Oh ya, I have also changed the batteries in the remotes.

I was looking at the little receiver antenna wire that they use and has anyone extended that wire or done anything different to improve range?

Thanks in advance.

I find the range a bit short as well. I used to able to press the remote from about 150 yards away on my old lifter. With the 8500 I have to be at the end of my 60' driveway. That is using Homelink - I haven't tried using the supplied remote.
 
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