Mandoor Problem

[markgca]

we bought a place that has a 16' sectional garage door and a mandoor in the center.
At the top of that mandoor there is a sensor (to stop the opener from working when its open.) That sensor is attached to the opener

the problem is, they put a wire reel on it, and the way they installed it makes the wire drag on top of the door when it opens/closes. We didnt see this until recently (about 1.5 years into this, 6 months after warranty expired), but now the insulation is torn off multiple bits of the wire run, and that has prevented the reel from taking up the wire when the door is closing.

quick fix/bandaid - i cut the insulation off and used electricians tape to cover the bald spots, but this isnt good long term.

i dont even know where to look for a replacement reel. do they just use power reels with the ends cut off? or are there special reels for this application? if so where do i find them? and are there any guidelines to installing them correctly? or just do it so it doesnt drag (not what they did, so maybe it isnt obvious?)

thanks for any info. the opener is a Liftmaster MT50111U if that helps.

 

[PoorUB]

The sectional door with a man door in it sounds like a problem all by itself!

As for the cord reel you should be able to take it apart and install a new cord, but be aware the spring inside will make it fun!

If you pain threashold is low you might figure out what brand of door it is and the company that supplied it should be able to order a replacement cord reel.

 

[no704]

Hard saying without seeing it. Sounds like a good application for Igus power chain. Or something wifi.

 

[Sumboodie]

The sectional door with a man door in it sounds like a problem all by itself!

As for the cord reel you should be able to take it apart and install a new cord, but be aware the spring inside will make it fun!

If you pain threashold is low you might figure out what brand of door it is and the company that supplied it should be able to order a replacement cord reel.

It's not a problem provided the door isn't opened when the man door isn't fully closed. That causes a **** storm of broken parts. Don't ask how I know.

 

[yatg]

Extend the contact wires to one side of the big door and mount the reel to that side. The cord may hang down a bit but it wont rub on the door.

If you try and repurpose a regular cord reel, you'll have to disable any locking mechanics so the cord is constantly under retraction, if that makes any sense.

 

[larry4406]

The elevators installed at the townhouses I managed construction just used gravity to control the cables as the cab went up/down the shaft. No winding drum for control cables that I can recall.

 

[rharman]

Coiled cable? Like on a telephone handset.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm thinking theres a better way than having the wire traverse as you open the door . a magnetic contact or some other switch in the door jamb would be a better way to do it .

 

[Worsedog]

This is a moving trolley type opener, correct?

I would route the wire for the walk door sensor to the trolley and mount the cable reel on or next to the powerhead. You would need some way to disconnect the wire if you had to use the emergency release to open the door.

The other alternative would be some sort of wireless set up, but then that would mean dicking with batteries and and at minimum an additional receiver of some sort.

 

[firebirdparts]

The elevators installed at the townhouses I managed construction just used gravity to control the cables as the cab went up/down the shaft. No winding drum for control cables that I can recall.

I've decided this is my preferred. String a wire sideways to the top corner of the door and create a fixed point there, then to a point under the track that the door doesn't reach to, then to the motor. When you open the door, it'll droop under the track. Pick the track that you wouldn't mind having a wire droop from.

 

[jsigrist]

I would investigate using a collector/shoe assembly similar to this https://powerflex.as/wp-content/upl...E_Insulated_Conductor_Rail_SingleFlexLine.pdf.