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Linear Jackshaft Garage Door Openers

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kwschumm

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I've been looking for an alternative to the LiftMaster 8500 jack shaft opener.

Turns out Linear has jackshaft openers in their commercial line.

https://www.linearproaccess.com/garage-door-openers/commercial-garage-door-openers/

Anyone have any experience with these? Do these commercial openers need to have additional components to make them comply with residential codes (beam detect, auto reversing, etc)? Looks like they don't come with remotes but Linear does make remotes that will work with it. May have to have a dealer kit it up for residential use.
 
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gnpenning

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I have more questions than answers.
I've only installed a few linear openers. The ones I've put in I haven't had any issues with. One of my suppliers has been pushing me to buy more. I haven't used any of the jackshaft openers.

The only Liftmaster opener I've ever had issues with is the 3800-8500. You guys ran into one of the problems. In the past when I've brought up issues everyone jumps in and saying how great they are. When they work they are great.

With that said I would use the Liftmaster J50 over the Linear. I've used that opener in different configurations for years in high use shops. They are a great opener. So is the rest of the Liftmaster line.

If you are gun shy with Liftmaster try the Linear.
 
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rbrock

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I have them on some of my commercial buildings and on the 2 main doors (18x14 and 16x14) on my barn at home. Mine are old enough (2010?)to not have the sensors but I think all of them have then now. I have the chain hand lift for if power is lost, that comes in handy with such large doors. I have never had any problem with them. I also have the Liftmaster 8500's on my house garage doors, 1 out of 4 had the control quit after about a year. The linears are much more heavy duty. Hope that helps. Ron
 
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kwschumm

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As I read it the Liftmaster J series would use the problematic LM888 wall control unit for remotes. Is that right? If so, I would go with the Linear.
 
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ard

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Does Linear actually MAKE any of their openers???

They sure look a lot like an OEM build from Liftmaster/Chamberlain.

Look at the universe of commercial door openers- roll up, sectional, etc. They ALL look like a liftmaster design.

My two cents.

On Linear: Years ago I had a very significant issue with a commercial Linear access system- basically a confirmed software fault/bug. They bailed after months of troubleshooting. Ultimately yanked the installation.
 
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wssix99

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The 8500 is a great unit, with a questionable little problem. (We'll get to the bottom of that soon.)

At the point you go to one of these commercial openers, you could just use the 8500 with a "dump" switch and get more. (The 8500 has a great secondary latch on the door, which I haven't seen on other models.)
 
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kwschumm

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gnpenning said:
They come with a 3 button wall control. The learn button is on the opener.

Can you provide a link to what you found? ?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I must have been looking at the residential accessories page. I thought it was the commercial accessories page. My bad.
 
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kwschumm

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ard said:
Does Linear actually MAKE any of their openers???

They sure look a lot like an OEM build from Liftmaster/Chamberlain.

Look at the universe of commercial door openers- roll up, sectional, etc. They ALL look like a liftmaster design.

My two cents.

On Linear: Years ago I had a very significant issue with a commercial Linear access system- basically a confirmed software fault/bug. They bailed after months of troubleshooting. Ultimately yanked the installation.
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point. Will have to look at the pictures closer to see if they are the same.

I had three liftmaster openers at my last house. One of them died and was replaced with a linear. The linear was far smoother and quieter than the liftmasters ever were. But I guess it could have been a different liftmaster design.

Six months ago I bought two liftmaster keychain remotes. After programming them the doors would periodically open by themselves. Thinking they were being pressed accidentally when in a purse or pocket we took them off the keychains and left them in the house but the doors would still open by themselves. I reset the system and reprogrammed the openers but the mysterious openings still happened. Removed the remote batteries and went to visor clip controls. No more door openings. Liftmaster electronics division could use some better engineers and quality control.
 
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ard

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kwschumm said:
You bring up a good point. Will have to look at the pictures closer to see if they are the same.

I had three liftmaster openers at my last house. One of them died and was replaced with a linear. The linear was far smoother and quieter than the liftmasters ever were. But I guess it could have been a different liftmaster design.

Six months ago I bought two liftmaster keychain remotes. After programming them the doors would periodically open by themselves. Thinking they were being pressed accidentally when in a purse or pocket we took them off the keychains and left them in the house but the doors would still open by themselves. I reset the system and reprogrammed the openers but the mysterious openings still happened. Removed the remote batteries and went to visor clip controls. No more door openings. Liftmaster electronics division could use some better engineers and quality control.
Click to expand...


Linear struck me as having primary 'electronics controls' competence- software, electronic hardware. But NOT a designer and builder of electro-mechanical hardware. Over the years it seems like their business has been to broaden their offerings to 'gate companies' to provide one-stop shopping. Like Elite, door King and others. Chamberlain is 100 times the size of Linear.

I'm on the hunt for a roll up door chain drive operator on my barn.... It is actually pretty interesting as I search craigslist for units. There is, for example, a Wayne Dalton that is a liftmaster, except for colors and lettering. Just FYI.
 
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gnpenning

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I have more questions than answers.
kwschumm said:
Sorry, I must have been looking at the residential accessories page. I thought it was the commercial accessories page. My bad.
Click to expand...

No worries. I've done that at well.

The 3800/8500 have more than one problem. They are the only opener I carry replacement parts at the time of install. It's the only opener when a customer ask for it that I have to give negative feedback and warnings of potential problems. When a customer still wants one I give them what then have a sign off.

Just installed 3 for a client even though his uncle just sold a place with a couple and one with a bad encoder.

The uncle is going with a j50 and 8365 s on the new place.
 
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PT Doc

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I believe the 8500 is a dc motor if anyone gives a hoot. Genie is AC.
 
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gnpenning

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wssix99 said:
What problems do you typically see. (If I'm going to need replacement parts down the road, I want to stock up now before they discontinue them! lol)
Click to expand...

Absolute encoders. Your set limits change and won't hold travel limits. Hopefully your back hang bolts have the nuts inside the track so the bolts act as a stop..... There have been a couple revisions. For this reason I don't think i'd stock up to much. ....
 
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Dakota00

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gnpenning said:
Absolute encoders. Your set limits change and won't hold travel limits. Hopefully your back hang bolts have the nuts inside the track so the bolts act as a stop..... There have been a couple revisions. For this reason I don't think i'd stock up to much. ....
Click to expand...

Well that's great to know... I better make sure the stop bolt is good. Any known issues with the transformer? I replaced my 2yrs ago, because of an irritating humming noise.
 
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D94R

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What about the Liftmaster 3900 model? It looks like the same opener without all the "smart" **** with it. I can't tell though if the LM888 is still required or used on this model?

An answer on the Amazon ad for it states it still uses the older 315/390 MHz remote instead of the newer 310MHz remote with MyLink. (Is the LM888 the Mylink unit?)
Amazon Link

So, is that the "work around" with this, to use the 3900 instead of the 8500 model? I personally don't need the smart features, I just need it to accept a remote from my car.
 
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Dakota00

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wssix99 said:
Is that where it comes from? I figured it was normal. Do the things actually get to a point where they are quiet all of the time?
Click to expand...

I know transformers make some noise, but this was too noticeable and kind of loud to be normal. After installing the replacement unit from LiftMaster it was whisper quiet.

D94R said:
What about the Liftmaster 3900 model? It looks like the same opener without all the "smart" **** with it. I can't tell though if the LM888 is still required or used on this model?

An answer on the Amazon ad for it states it still uses the older 315/390 MHz remote instead of the newer 310MHz remote with MyLink. (Is the LM888 the Mylink unit?)
Amazon Link

So, is that the "work around" with this, to use the 3900 instead of the 8500 model? I personally don't need the smart features, I just need it to accept a remote from my car.
Click to expand...

From what I understand the 3900 has the learn button on the opener. So you could use a basic door bell type wall button and yet still have a functioning car remote. The 398LM wall controller on the 3900 from what I read also experienced a short life span.
 
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