Replace a recent-ish garage door opener with a new one?

[sns1938]

I'll try to be brief.

Our house has a 1/2 hp screw drive door opener. It works fine, except I want the auto close and internet access that the newer openers have (heck, all I really want is auto close after 10 mins, as my wife and I have both left it open, and were lucky nothing was stolen).

To upgrade our door, is $75 (https://www.amazon.com/LiftMaster-M...id=1484087813&sr=8-1&keywords=myQ+upgrade+kit)

However, for $175 - $200, I could get a new opener which comes with this kit, rather than a retro kit which has patchy reviews. It'd be belt drive though.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-190-hps-ultra-quiet-belt-drive-garage/p-00954918000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

Question time:

1) Is it actually a downgrade to go from screw drive to belt drive? The screwdriver says ''professional'' on it ...
2) The screw drive opener is installed (by a professional) on an angle and hangs down. Could it be that a belt drive won't fit? Watching the door open, I 99% believe the angle is just because the installed couldn't be bothered adjusting the original brackets for the original door opener motor. Regardless of what I do, I will be adjusting the way it mounts to raise it up (to be out of the way more).

If I go with a new opener, I'm assuming I can swap it over myself and not have an installation fee. I do plan to switch the garage door out for a sectional roller with wall mounted motor in a couple of years, when time and funds allow ... however I'm realistic that bathroom remodels, patio and other projects will probably delay this indefinitely.

What would you do?

 

[k-os]

I have a MyQ Internet Gateway I could sell you. I got one from my Secret Santa on here and one from someone else for Christmas so I have a spare I'm not using. PM me if you're interested.

 

[sns1938]

thanks, but I think its the 'retro upgrade kit' I need, not the internet gateway. I think the internet gateway is for people who's doors are already MyQ ones.

Thanks

 

[openwheelracing88]

go with belt drive, you'll never look back.

 

[sns1938]

go with belt drive, you'll never look back.

Thanks, so the ''professional'' branding on the old one doesn't mean that the screw is better in anyway?

I have to say, I do feel better about spending $180 on a whole garage door opener, than spending $75 just to add onto my old one.

Any clue about the possibly lazy installation of the original one? I just don't see why he didn't adjust the mounts and hold it snug up against the beam and out of the way.

Thanks

 

[gnpenning]

Pictures would be needed for any useful information on the opener installation.

Your original opener should have had a one piece track. The new one will come in small sections to fit in the box. The one piece tracks no matter the style of drive are superior over the multi piece ones.

since you plan to go with a jackshaft down the road why not do it now? You may need pusher springs.

 

[Mustang1167]

Id call liftmaster and see if the liftmaster 881 opener (the one in your picture) is comparable with your current set up. If it is buy it separate for $30 off Amazon. I just installed one on my garage.

 

[Jeepster04]

My parents had a screw drive and it was horrid. I've never heard a louder garage door opener in all my life.

We all have belt drive now and its very nice.

I imagine you could sell the old opener and make back some of your money. I would love to have the capability of knowing if my door is closed or not. Ive turned around A LOT just to check it. Yet to leave it open.

I would NOT like the 10 min closing deal. Im outside more often than not with my door open and I do not want it closing behind me. Key pad would be a must.

 

[s14kev]

I did this a month ago. Go with the new opener. I replaced 1/2hp genie screw drives with 1.25hp chamberlain belt drives with myq. Belt is far quieter than a screw drive and less maintenance. I found my screw drives need intermittent lubrication.

Liftmaster says professional since it is the version available to installers. The big box / homeowner store openers are branded chamberlain.

 

[kbs2244]

The belt drive will would work fine.
But the up-grade offers all you need for half the money.
And you have no problems with what you have.
So what is there to fix?

BTW, it will work fine with your sectional upgrade as well.

 

[sns1938]

Pictures would be needed for any useful information on the opener installation.

Your original opener should have had a one piece track. The new one will come in small sections to fit in the box. The one piece tracks no matter the style of drive are superior over the multi piece ones.

since you plan to go with a jackshaft down the road why not do it now? You may need pusher springs.

Thanks, two questions:
1) so the one piece track just doesn't come with all these $200-$300 liftmasters these days?
2) The current door is a tilt door, but one where there is no track. Like the image below. So the front wall mounting motor won't work for this, as far as I'm aware.

Thanks

 

[sns1938]

Thanks all. So either option works:

The upgrade is cheaper and easier and keeps the solid track.
The new opener is more work to install, but should be quieter, but I get a sectional track

I think I'll do the upgrade for now. I do the upgrade, and then put my energy towards the custom sectional door with the front wall mounted shaft opener.

Thanks.

 

[driftpin]

I recently had installed the jackshaft Liftmaster system on two new OH doors in FL. The system is out of the way, quick, and quiet. No troubles w/the install, I paid to have it done. No light nor any draft from the door sides. The doors are Clopay insulated and aluminum inside and out, w/the reinforcement beams required to resist penetration by objects propelled by hurricanes. I haven't used the internet command device yet. I do like the solenoid bolts which are thrown into the track to automatically-immobilize the door.

 

[kbuhagiar]

IMHO:

Belt drive is superior to screw drive, much smoother and quieter.

However, for the ultimate in garage door opener technology (if it fits your application), a jackshaft opener (i.e. LiftMaster 8500 with MyQ internet compatibility) is the best choice.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[gnpenning]

Thanks, two questions:
1) so the one piece track just doesn't come with all these $200-$300 liftmasters these days?
2) The current door is a tilt door, but one where there is no track. Like the image below. So the front wall mounting motor won't work for this, as far as I'm aware.

Thanks

1. The openers the box stores sell that fit all in one box, and you buy an extension for extra height, no matter the price are all sectional tracks. Much easier to stock and takes up less shelf space. Those power heads will accept a one piece track. Door companies will almost always use one piece tracks. When you have to warranty your work most try to minimize call backs.

2. You are right you can not use a jackshaft opener with that style of door. You do not have a jackshaft to attach too.

You may want to check with a local door company and see what they would sell you just the opener for. Just a phone call or two. No cost. Otherwise the upgrade you decided on will work just fine.

 

[Brian_WK]

Even cheaper option is THIS auto closer then you can save even more for that secional and jack shaft opener.

Also Made in the USA

Brian

 

[bdbecker]

...I would NOT like the 10 min closing deal. Im outside more often than not with my door open and I do not want it closing behind me. Key pad would be a must.

FWIW, there's a "Hold Open" button on the button pad.

 

[upndown]

Ideally on a one piece door, you want the front of the operator rail as high as you can get it, and the motor head as low as you can get it! You want constant upward pressure on the arm when door is closing. You cannot mount the motor end tight to the beam! That would create downward pressure which could create all sorts of problems. The installer did it correctly.

 

[sns1938]

Ideally on a one piece door, you want the front of the operator rail as high as you can get it, and the motor head as low as you can get it! You want constant upward pressure on the arm when door is closing. You cannot mount the motor end tight to the beam! That would create downward pressure which could create all sorts of problems. The installer did it correctly.

That is pretty cool. I actually realised last night that I can just get the $30 upgraded wall controller and not the internet gateway, and that will add the auto close. So I ordered from Amazon for $28 delivered. I won't be able to log on remotely, but at least the door will auto close.

Thanks everyone.

I will post some better pictures of the current install to work out if I can mount the motor higher or not.