Roll up lift motor

[Donmon]

I did some searches but didnt find much info on a cleaver way to do a lift motor for my roll up door "on the cheap". Sure I can drop $1,500 and get a commercial unit but...

I thought maybe some of you ingenious bastards might have some ideas

My door is a 16X16 roll up

 

[metaleltr]

What is under the cover where that chain runs through? Is that a 1/2" square drive on the end? Does that square drive move the door? I'm thinking of along the lines of an air ratchet or electric impact wrench.

 

[dladcock]

Just a suggestion, you can use two sprockets and a double row chain to make a coupling. Use one sprocket on the door axle and one on a gearbox/DC motor combination. Used DC controllers and motors/gearboxes come up from time to time on Ebay, Craigs, or maybe the scrap yards and surplus sales.

Here's a link http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?catname=powerTrans&keyword=PGRC Lot's of choices, maybe too many.

I had a set-up for a door opener like you are describing made like this. If I can put my hands on it, I'll post some pics.

DLA

 

[Donmon]

The air tool idea seems a bit scary, but I like your idea in the 1/2 square drive, that would be a easy attachment point for a motor and still have the chain as back up.

Thanks

 

[Donmon]

Thanks for the link, I dont think I fully understand your idea. If you run across the pics please post. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Herb67SS]

Check with:
direct2ugaragedoors.com

For a price and application of the Liftmaster 3950

They are the cheapest price supplier of Liftmasters I've found.

 

[dladcock]

Thanks for the link, I don't think I fully understand your idea. If you run across the pics please post. Thanks for the reply!

Check with:
direct2ugaragedoors.com

For a price and application of the Liftmaster 3950

They are the cheapest price supplier of Liftmasters I've found.

Here's a couple of pics of a gearbox with the double chain coupling. The door shaft gets a sprocket, the box gets a sprocket and the dbl row chain couples them together. Of course, a motor drives the gear reduction.

Now, Herb67SS's suggestion for the Liftmaster 3950 is probably the best idea. Depends I think on how easily the parts for a home brew opener are to come by. For 400.00 dollars, the LM 3950 might be a deal. I have this same type of door and it's looking pretty good to me.

 

[Donmon]

Thanks for the pics. The more im thinking about it the more I agree the Liftmaster might be the best way to go. $400 is pretty good. Im sure I can install it in a weekend, even if I have to fab up some brackets or gears. Sometimes it's good to "Talk it out" thanks for chiming in.

-Don