Tips for installing Opener?

[Mr.Bungle]

I'm going to be installing a garage door opener in my newly built house when we move there in a couple of weeks. I've never done this before.

I bought a Liftmaster Whisper Drive from Lowes and have read through the manual a bit. I'm more of a hands on learner which can prove to be troublesome at times (learning the hard way).

Can anyone give me some tips/tricks on the install? The entire garage is drywalled and it's a metal fold up door for reference.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tyrell2004]

There's video here but not sure if it matches your model exactly. Good luck!

http://www.northshorecommercialdoor.com/lichwhdr12hp.html

 

[A1an]

That video certainly makes it seem like a fairly straight forward and somewhat simple procedure. Thanks for the link!

 

[scott37300]

1) I wired my garage door outlet to a switch inside the house. Every night I flip off the switch. Just an extra security measure. Probably overkill, but I feel better.

2) Install the sensor beams at bumper height. The other day, "someone" didn't pull in the garage all the way and the GD gd scratched the rear bumper.

3) If it's an attached garage with living space above, check this out:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...631898,00.html

Switch won't do much good when they can do this.

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As far as putting it up they aren't to hard, I take it you are putting in new and not replacing an existing? Just follow the directions and take your time. Lay all the pieces out so you know what's what.

 

[jstroede]

2) Install the sensor beams at bumper height. The other day, "someone" didn't pull in the garage all the way and the GD gd scratched the rear bumper.

This won't pass for code either, and won't protect animals or small children either, if you left something sitting on the ground under the door. If hitting the bumper didn't cause the opener to reverse, you might want to check the force settings.

John

 

[Mr.Bungle]

Thanks for the tips and videos!

I have another question - I've noticed something about installing wood over drywall in the spot abover the door, center where the bracket will go. Is this necessary or do I just need to make sure I drill into a stud or something?

 

[rvr6000]

Not sure if this will be the case for you but after I insulated and closed up the walls and ceiling in my garage I discovered the top of the garage door would hit the rail of the opener. I installed a set of low clearance garage door hinges (thanks to the recommendations of people here on the forum) and they worked great. Just ordered them off of Amazon.com for about $26.00 and were very easy to install. The only change I had to make was move that brace that runs the length of the door down a few inches.

 

[scott37300]

Thanks for the tips and videos!

I have another question - I've noticed something about installing wood over drywall in the spot abover the door, center where the bracket will go. Is this necessary or do I just need to make sure I drill into a stud or something?

I have just used the angle with holes in it to build a bracket. Just make sure you hit the trusses above the drywall with some lag bolts.

 

[rasit]

Thanks for the tips and videos!

I have another question - I've noticed something about installing wood over drywall in the spot abover the door, center where the bracket will go. Is this necessary or do I just need to make sure I drill into a stud or something?

This would be recommended. The spot above the door where the rail will attach to the building needs to be secure as this is where the drive chain/belt is under tension when the door is traveling up and under compression when going down. Regardless of how tight you make the bolts against drywall they will surely loosen up as the gypsum collapse under the pressure. By adding wood you will protect the connection point. There should be plenty of wood behind the drywall to bite into since there is a header spanning the opening for the door. Poke a nail or something in to make sure......