Liftmaster 8500 lock placement

[bmwpowere36m3]

Wondering about the placement of the automatic lock... IIRC, the instructions suggest placing it above the second panel with the lock pin 3" above the roller.

Is there a reason the pin needs to be 3" away from the roller? I was thinking it could be closer, thus minimizing any potential upward movement of door from either a intruder or possibly wind.

 

[MoToys]

You could put it closer, I did. Left about 1/2-3/4”

 

[Tracs]

Wondering about the placement of the automatic lock... IIRC, the instructions suggest placing it above the second panel with the lock pin 3" above the roller.

Is there a reason the pin needs to be 3" away from the roller? I was thinking it could be closer, thus minimizing any potential upward movement of door from either a intruder or possibly wind.

You can put it wherever you want.....but do you think Liftmaster threw a dart at a picture of a garage door and said "there is a good place for a lock!"

 

[Sweetcorn]

I put mine about 2" up from the roller, but I did it on the 3rd panel up.

It would take an excessive gust of wind to lift the door. The jackshaft opener holds the doors jackshaft in place, so the wind would have to lift the door without any spring assistance. The wind would have to lift the full weight of the door. Try it, its heavy.

It's not the same as it would be if you were to disconnect the opener with the pull rope. In that case you still have the spring providing assistance.

 

[MrSurly]

Actually, the instructions say "three inches from the CENTER of the roller, not 'from the roller'. Of course, it matters not one bit, where its located as long as it prevents anyone forcing the door up enough to crawl under it.
I just installed mine (three of them) a little above the third panel as this put them out of the way of shovel or broom storage in that spot if needed. It places them just above eye-level and easy to reach.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

You could put it closer, I did. Left about 1/2-3/4”

That's what I was thinking of doing.

You can put it wherever you want.....but do you think Liftmaster threw a dart at a picture of a garage door and said "there is a good place for a lock!"

I'm sure they didn't just make up a number, but I'm questioning if it couldn't be closer.

I put mine about 2" up from the roller, but I did it on the 3rd panel up.

It would take an excessive gust of wind to lift the door. The jackshaft opener holds the doors jackshaft in place, so the wind would have to lift the door without any spring assistance. The wind would have to lift the full weight of the door. Try it, its heavy.

It's not the same as it would be if you were to disconnect the opener with the pull rope. In that case you still have the spring providing assistance.

Actually, the instructions say "three inches from the CENTER of the roller, not 'from the roller'. Of course, it matters not one bit, where its located as long as it prevents anyone forcing the door up enough to crawl under it.
I just installed mine (three of them) a little above the third panel as this put them out of the way of shovel or broom storage in that spot if needed. It places them just above eye-level and easy to reach.

 

[PhantomEB]

I would also put a piece of angle iron clearanced for the pin and roller in. it’s pretty easy to pop it open with pressure of a screwdriver.

I will take a pic of mine later.