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  1. #1
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Woke up this morning to find one of my garage doors wide open and the Genie door opener kaput. I`m guessing last night`s thunder storms played a role in it`s demise.

    My questions are:
    a) has anyone else had their door opener decide to open up on it`s own and then die?
    b) brands & models you`d recommend/avoid?
    I`m leaning towards another Genie since I believe it will be an easier job to replace it using the same brand.

    Thanks for your feedback!!

  2. #2
    Ummm.... Ya..... TroyScherer's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?


    I have replaced 2 or 3.

    I agree and lean towards Genie / Wanye Dalton. (The mgft plant is local to me and they make a few different brands. WD makes Genie.) Personal preference for me is to convert to Direct Drive (Screw drive) as is it quieter and safer IMO. You don`t have a chain that can snap and less stress on the springs as well. I have had 2 different springs snap. But if you are just replacing the motor just get the best one you can with the most options you want.

  3. #3
    dansautodetailing.com Stokdgs's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Angus -
    Sorry this had to happen to you..

    Are you sure the opener is dead ? Does it have a Reset Button anywhere on the unit?
    Did you take off the plastic cover/s and look?

    What did the instruction manual say about a Reset Button ?

    Dan F

  4. #4
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by TroyScherer View Post

    I have replaced 2 or 3.

    I agree and lean towards Genie / Wanye Dalton. (The mgft plant is local to me and they make a few different brands. WD makes Genie.) Personal preference for me is to convert to Direct Drive (Screw drive) as is it quieter and safer IMO. You don`t have a chain that can snap and less stress on the springs as well. I have had 2 different springs snap. But if you are just replacing the motor just get the best one you can with the most options you want.
    Thanks for the input, Troy. I didn`t know WD made Genie. Unfortunately if it is dead, i don`t think it`s going to be as simple as replacing the motor - the unit is quite old and appears out of production.

    Good points on the screw drives vs chain. Genie`s PowerMax 1200 gets fairly good reviews and is only slightly more $ then the belt driven one I was just looking at.

    Quote Originally Posted by Stokdgs View Post
    Angus -
    Sorry this had to happen to you..

    Are you sure the opener is dead ? Does it have a Reset Button anywhere on the unit?
    Did you take off the plastic cover/s and look?

    What did the instruction manual say about a Reset Button ?

    Dan F
    Thanks, Dan. I`m not 100% sure it`s dead yet, and will look for a reset button tonight. I`ll also play around with the opener button itself to see if maybe thats the culprit. Gotta say finding a wide open garage this morning on my way out to work was slightly alarming. Thankfully I live in safe area!

  5. #5
    Long Time Member GearHead_1's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Used all the popular styles, including a jack shaft style on an inclined door. It follows a vaulted ceiling and the drive is mounted on the wall. I own 3 Lift Master`s at the present time. They`ve been trouble free for 8 years now. For a regular door, belt drive is something that you won`t be disappointed owning, can`t fault a screw drive either but usually a bit more cost. I wouldn`t buy a standard chain drive again. Too dirty and noisy. Most of these drives are quite similar, if you have to replace the motor and the track don`t be too concerned about staying with the same brand.
    A society willing to trade liberty for temporary security deserves neither and will lose both
    ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

  6. #6
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by GearHead_1 View Post
    Used all the popular styles, including a jack shaft style on an inclined door. It follows a vaulted ceiling and the drive is mounted on the wall. I own 3 Lift Master`s at the present time. They`ve been trouble free for 8 years now. For a regular door, belt drive is something that you won`t be disappointed owning, can`t fault a screw drive either but usually a bit more cost. I wouldn`t buy a standard chain drive again. Too dirty and noisy. Most of these drives are quite similar, if you have to replace the motor and the track don`t be too concerned about staying with the same brand.
    Cool, thanks GearHead.

  7. #7
    wdmaccord's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Could be a sensor is out also which are usually located on the lower part of the garage door track. I`ve seen this happen before and it won`t let you close the door. However, you should still see the light come on and usually flash when a sensor is bad.

    I usually lean towards craftsman. I have a screw drive on my main door. Quiet and no chain to worry about. Not overpriced either. Most openers have the same mounting specs (in my experience) so changing brands shouldn`t be that big of an issue from an install standpoint.

  8. #8
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by wdmaccord View Post
    Could be a sensor is out also which are usually located on the lower part of the garage door track. I`ve seen this happen before and it won`t let you close the door. However, you should still see the light come on and usually flash when a sensor is bad.

    I usually lean towards craftsman. I have a screw drive on my main door. Quiet and no chain to worry about. Not overpriced either. Most openers have the same mounting specs (in my experience) so changing brands shouldn`t be that big of an issue from an install standpoint.
    I could be mistaken, but I do believe the senors were working this morning and showing steady red/green indicator lights. And yeah, the light on the door open should have still turned on even if there was an object breaking the sensors path. Which didn`t happen and is leading me to believe the unit is dead...

    You and Troy have peaked my interest in a new screw drive model. If after all of my testing tonight the opener is truly kaput I`ll probably go in the direct drive option.

  9. #9
    dansautodetailing.com Stokdgs's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Angus -
    If you are really wanting to get an absolutely quiet, fast, opener, then you might want to look at this one - Marantec America Garage Door Openers and Accessories

    My sister has 3 of these in her house and (yes, a really big man-garage), and you never hear them or feel them opening or closing...

    Good luck with this -
    Dan F

  10. #10
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stokdgs View Post
    Angus -
    If you are really wanting to get an absolutely quiet, fast, opener, then you might want to look at this one - Marantec America Garage Door Openers and Accessories

    My sister has 3 of these in her house and (yes, a really big man-garage), and you never hear them or feel them opening or closing...

    Good luck with this -
    Dan F
    Thanks, Dan!

    Never heard of Marantec before. After watching the video - wow those are very nice - I want one!!

  11. #11
    wdmaccord's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by Angus View Post
    I could be mistaken, but I do believe the senors were working this morning and showing steady red/green indicator lights. And yeah, the light on the door open should have still turned on even if there was an object breaking the sensors path. Which didn`t happen and is leading me to believe the unit is dead...

    You and Troy have peaked my interest in a new screw drive model. If after all of my testing tonight the opener is truly kaput I`ll probably go in the direct drive option.
    check the wiring to the opener unit also. As well as the breaker box. Sorry, I realize these are pretty obvious...don`t take as insulting your intelligence. Oh, and a GFI could be tripped as well.
    Likes edb liked this post

  12. #12
    Detailing Gnosis Bunky's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    I have a Genie and once in a while it just goes dead. I have to disconnect the breaker and let it some charge drain down and then it starts to work.

    I also have a wireless headset that does that same thing after some power interruptions. There may be a crowbar circuit that latches and you have to remove power to let the caps discharge.

    Al
    The Need to Bead


  13. #13
    Long Time Member GearHead_1's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Belt drives isolate noise and vibration. Plastic wheels make doors quiet but they don`t stand the test of time.
    A society willing to trade liberty for temporary security deserves neither and will lose both
    ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

  14. #14
    AspiringProductSpecialist Angus's Avatar
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    Re: Garage Door Opener Recomendations?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bunky View Post
    I have a Genie and once in a while it just goes dead. I have to disconnect the breaker and let it some charge drain down and then it starts to work.

    I also have a wireless headset that does that same thing after some power interruptions. There may be a crowbar circuit that latches and you have to remove power to let the caps discharge.
    Dude!!! That`s all it was!!!! After trying everything I could think of/ was suggest, I followed Bunky`s advice and unplugged the garage door opener, waited 5 minutes, plugged it back in and boom! Back in business!! Thank you, BUNKY!!

  15. #15
    Swanicyouth's Avatar
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    Just always remember to pull in the garage - not the living room and you`ll be all good.


 

 
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