Looking for a door opener with automatic locking.

[Vinci]

I am looking to find an electric door opener for my garage door that includes/supports and automatic locking sytem. I have seen something like this for the Liftmaster 3800 series, but I haven't had any luck finding them with any other brands/models.

I like the idea of being able to have the door mechanically locked when it is closed, but not having to get out of the car to manually lock/unlock it.

Has anyone else looked into this or had any experience with such a thing?

 

[Burtonrider10022]

I looked briefly and didn't see anything. Again, I only just glanced, but if you do find something, please post it up here.

 

[KPSquared]

You answered your own question. . .the 3800 does exactly as you want.

 

[NewLogik]

I love my Liftmaster 3800, easy to install, quiet , automatic locking, wireless light, nice keypad with time and temp.... At the same time, it's so nice compared to traditionnal opener with belts or chains... No needs for tracks over the car, which is nice !

Anyways, I don't know any other brands/models for residential/light commercial use...

 

[Wastedwagesracing]

I think Zap has the door lock. But I don't have enough time to find it.

http://zap.ds5164.dedicated.turbodns.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx

 

[my58]

I have to agree with Newlogik. Go with the 3800. I like everything about it, my favorite part is the mechanical bolt lock.

Its a very quiet opener and at the end you hear this nice loud (CLICK) the bolt engaging the hasp. You know all is secure!

 

[Vinci]

I had mostly discounted the 3800 due to concerns about having enough space next to the door to mount the unit. It is possible that I would be able to fit it, though.

For those of you that have one, does it require anything special to convert from a traditional "central track" unit to the jackshaft style the 3800 uses?

 

[kbs2244]

You often have to install a longer jackshaft to use a 3800

 

[bjcouche]

You only have to install a longer jackshaft if you don't have 2" or so sticking out past your bearing. If you are an inch short, it is possible that you might be able to slide the jackshaft over an inch from the other side instead of buying a new jackshaft. They aren't that expensive anyhow but it would be much more of a job to change to a LM3800 if you also had to replace the jackshaft. To replace the jackshaft you have to remove the springs and drums. I find it hard to believe that an installed door wouldn't have enough length sticking past the bearing plate, but then residential doors are made as cheap as possible these days.
When I installed mine, I had plenty of jackshaft length and it wasn't a problem.

Brian

 

[Vinci]

Thanks for all the input! There is a series of videos on YouTube that go over the installation steps for the 3800, and it looks like I ought to be able to make it work. This just got moved to the top of my project list.

 

[darkk]

The LM3800 can be installed in a very tight space. They also make an offset unit to go between the unit and the shaft so it can be mounted lower than normal.

 

[Iroc-Z]

Another satisfied liftmaster 3800 customer right here. Opener is so quiet I cant even hear it open in the house.

 

[Bojans]

I also have the 3800 and love it. I know you also need tapered drums on the shaft for it to work

 

[bjcouche]

You only nee tapered drums if you have a high lift door or a follow the roof pitch door. In either case though it has nothing to do with the opener itself. You do not need tapered drums just to install a LM3800. The LM3800 is one of the few jackshaft openers that will work on a standard garage door without having troubles with throwing the cables off of the drums.

Brian

 

[Vinci]

For those of you that did a DIY install, did you have any trouble with the cable tension sensor? I was reading some gripes about the setup of that.

 

[RKA]

Yes, but I just had to adjust the back edge of the horizontal track so the door would start moving down the track as soon as the torsion bar started turning. The springs were also adjusted so the door is slightly heavy, again to keep a little weight on those cables when the door first starts moving.

 

[NewLogik]

I wouldn't call it a big issue, but had one with the cable tension sensor, but it was related with the fact that when the door is going door there's a specific point where the tension is lost for a really short time but, that was preventing the door to go down. It took a bit to adjust this, but might be related to the fact that I have a "high lift" setup for my garage door and it just needed a bit of adjustment...

 

[Iroc-Z]

For those of you that did a DIY install, did you have any trouble with the cable tension sensor? I was reading some gripes about the setup of that.

I installed mine my self. I had never installed a garage door opener before. I followed the instructions without problems. I just bolted the tension sensor to the wall and that was it.

 

[caspian65]

I have 2 3800's and wouldn't consider anything else for home use!

 

[SGKent]

if they can electronically raise the door they can electronically unlock your lock. Wire your manual lifter closed so someone with a coat hanger can't snag it, and get a modern unit that uses random codes.

 

[bigred292]

I installed 2 3800s in my garage. Never installed an opener before. Read all the threads on it. Wasn't looking forward to tackling it.
Went up as easy as can be. Don't know if I lucked out or what. Can't understand why there was so much fuss.

 

[DezRanger]

Having a new house built and I opt out of having them install a garage door opener. I'm really interested in the 3800 but I don't like the look of the wires exposed. Any way I can somehow use the wiring that is going to be roughed in for a traditional garage door opener?

 

[RCman]

Having a new house built and I opt out of having them install a garage door opener. I'm really interested in the 3800 but I don't like the look of the wires exposed. Any way I can somehow use the wiring that is going to be roughed in for a traditional garage door opener?

What exposed wiring?

I just built my garage and if you plan it correct the only exposed wires would be the plug for the opener (which is directly above the opener, so almost not visible anyway) and the wires where they come out of the wall for the door lock and eyes.
Oh, and the little purple antenna wire that hangs down, but that could probably be tucked up as well.

Now if you wired only for a traditionally ceiling mounted opener there would be ton of exposed wires, but from the sounds of it it is still in the rough, very easy at that point!

 

[DezRanger]

What exposed wiring?

I just built my garage and if you plan it correct the only exposed wires would be the plug for the opener (which is directly above the opener, so almost not visible anyway) and the wires where they come out of the wall for the door lock and eyes.
Oh, and the little purple antenna wire that hangs down, but that could probably be tucked up as well.
Now if you wired only for a traditionally ceiling mounted opener there would be ton of exposed wires, but from the sounds of it it is still in the rough, very easy at that point!

Well I watched a few YouTube videos, the wires ran for the garage door button by the door leading to the house, and the wires for the sensor at the base of the door.. I guess I could just run them through the attic.

 

[bigred292]

I hate seeing wires if at all possible-just ask my electrician!
Just like previous poster said-plan ahead and you can bury most of them. I mounted my opener on a piece of varnished AC plywood . Plan is to picture frame the plywood where it meets the plaster.
It definitely can be done - trust me

 

[darkk]

if they can electronically raise the door they can electronically unlock your lock. Wire your manual lifter closed so someone with a coat hanger can't snag it, and get a modern unit that uses random codes.

The LM3800 doesn't have the center release like a normal opener. It's impossible to use a wire to pull the manual release. The over ride release is on the motor itself, it is not accessible and requires a good tug to release it. The hard wired inside smart control panel also has an electronic lockout built in so you can disable electronic/remote opening of the system. I also added a manual door slide lock for extra insurance even though it has an electric lock.