Old Sears Garage Door Opener

[EmeraldGreen]

Hello Friends,

I have an old Sears Model 139.53600 garage door opener. It still works fine and I don't really want to replace it. The remote, however, is a little sick. I tried talking to Sears about what remotes would work and got some very goofy answers. First they suggested a newer, smart programming remote. Then they changed their mind and said that no part was available. I talked to a different rep and they suggested yet another new style remote. I was not convinced.

Please make some suggestions on what remotes would work with my machine. It would also be helpful to have the original part number. Here are the specs:

Sears Model 139.53600 (may be a Craftsman, but the machine says Sears)
120 Volts, 6.0 Amp, 60 Hz, 172 HP
Serial 0253C00184

Here is a pic of my remote; it has a nine switch drop switch:
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOapNsvGQW7zI-GgT4Nxvh7UHEYn6PPdyZq1RXl

Thanks so much!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Unfortunately you have to be signed in to see your picture.

 

[LB-1911]

Give Garage Door Supply a call -

Replace the remote on your older model Sears Craftsman DIP switch garage door opener with our compatible remotes from Garage Door Supply Company.

Our LiftMaster 892LT 2-button learning remote works with any LiftMaster, Chamberlain or Craftsman DIP switch door operators or receivers.

LiftMaster's 61LM 1-button remote works with all models made before 1995 that have DIP switches or yellow, gray or white learn buttons.

The LiftMaster 375UT universal 2-button remote works with several older and newer garage door opener models, including Genie door openers made after 1988, and Chamberlain and Craftsman door openers made after 1990.


http://www.garagedoorsupplyco.com/Older--DIP-Switch-Remotes_c_113.html
Office Hours. Monday-Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time


North Shore Door is another possibility

Sears Craftsman Garage Door Opener Remote 139.53600

390 MHZ Frequency, works on models from 1984-1992

1 set of 9 three position dip switches

http://www.northshorecommercialdoor.com/secrgadoopre11.html

 

[CJ7VFR]

Get a ladder out, and check the back of the garage door main unit installed in the ceiling.

As LB-1911 has said, if your opener is an older one, and you see a little blue colored thing with about 9 or 10 small "dip" switches, then you can pretty much purchase any door remote that has the same "dip" switches in it. You could buy a three button remote, or even the tiny single button remote. It doesn't matter as long as the remote has the same number of "dip" switches. You would just need to set the switches on the new remote to the same positions as the opener.

I had two older Sears model garage door openers at my house, and they were the "dip" switch type. But the regular remotes bit the dust, so I ordered some generic tiny single button remotes that used "dip" switches, and set them up to open the doors. They worked great for several years until the actual openers stopped working, at which point I had to buy new garage door openers that came with new remotes.

If you climb up there, and there is no small blue thing with the "dip" switches, but instead there is a greenish colored button, then you have the later model learning opener, and I am not sure if you can just buy a generic remote for that. I think you can, but you would have to do some research to be sure.

Jim

 

[kbs2244]

I got mine off e-bay.
All they wanted to know was the color of the "learn" button.

 

[Chaznsc]

Does it used dip switches?

 

[redmondjp]

Worst-case - get a third-party remote control fob and controller that has a contact closure output that you connect to your existing garage door motor (to the same two terminals that the interior open/close pushbutton is connected to).

 

[Richard Cranium]

Chamberlain built the sears openers back then if that helps any

 

[henrysgarage]

I bought a remote from Home Depot for an old Sears opener, works like a charm.

 

[kbs2244]

"Does it used dip switches? "
If that was directed at me, I do not recall.
And it is 14 feet in the air right now.

One thing I did learn on the project is that the control boards are a kind of mix and match across generations.
Newer boards can replace older ones and gain features in the process.

My "logic board" is not what came with the motor unit.
You can upgrade the "input" side without changing the "output" side of the board.
No electronic knowledge required.
Do the thick wires match in color and routing?
If so, you are good to go.

If you have the time and interest, you can find a later model curbside opener, check if the remote works, and if so swap the logic board with your current one.
Many are trashed because of plastic gear failure and the motor/electronic unit is fine.

It was a fun and learning experience for me, at no cost but time.

BTW, my "old style" junk board (I went back a generation) doesn't work with the wired, doorbell type, switch.
Only with a remote.
A fob hanging on a nail by the door solved that problem.