New Garage Door Opener

legion · 04:04 PM

I just finished installing a new garage door opener. I went with a screw-type garage door opener to replace my old chain-type one. The job was easier than I thought, but took much longer (if that makes sense). Five hours an I'm pretty sore. Those infrared thingies were a pain. I had to mount the whole unit 2.5 inches higher than the old one, so I had to create a place to mount it higher.

I wasn't sure I could actually do this job, I'm glad its done and it works. Pics tomorrow.

LakeCleElum · 01-06-2007, 08:00 PM

I'm having a house built and priced out installing myself.....The outfit installing the doors only wanted $250 per unit for the opener and install.....I said: Go for it.....They work great...

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Does anyone have experience with the (relatively new?) type of door opener that mounts directly on the door header? No, long arm that reaches out into the interior of the garage. I've seen them at Lowe's and I wonder if they work well...I'd much prefer one if they do.

DUK · 01-07-2007, 05:35 AM

Dan, I have the screw style and am happy. But my neighbor put in one like your talking about, WOW it's nice. Really opens the area right in the center of the garage. He was able to put his lighting right where it was needed. Also, he's had zero problems in two years, where I've had to fiddle with my track to keep it aligned. Just my .02.

Seahawk · 01-07-2007, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Does anyone have experience with the (relatively new?) type of door opener that mounts directly on the door header? No, long arm that reaches out into the interior of the garage. I've seen them at Lowe's and I wonder if they work well...I'd much prefer one if they do.

The ones we installed are called "I Drive" and are great...quiet, fast and, so far, trouble free.

I did not install them myself because the deal from Lowe's included install.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Duke and 'hawk,
Thanks for the info. Those things were quite a bit more than the conventional openers last time I looked. I wanted to hear someone had a good experience with them.

I really need to replace the door on my detached garage, it's old, heavy and honked up. I almost never close it. I'm a DIY guy on most things and had wondered if I could install a garage door myself? While considering doing the door install myself I saw those iDrive openers and wondered if I could do the whole thing? Probably up for the door...if it comes with decent instructions. The iDrive? I don't know. Might have to have that done.

BertBeagle · 01-07-2007, 06:38 AM

I also have a neighbor who installed one. I was over at his house last night and it works very well. He has a 14' ceiling. He ran the tracks up to the ceiling. Makes the garage look a lot bigger with the door open or closed. the lighting is much better.

Gooch1971 · Gooch1971's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
The job was easier than I thought, but took much longer (if that makes sense). Five hours an I'm pretty sore.

I wasn't sure I could actually do this job, I'm glad its done and it works.

+1

These were ALL of my exact sentiments. FWIW: I will NEVER try to change the coil spring on the garage door. My grandfather, who was the handiest person I've ever known, nearly lost a hand when the spring recoiled on him.

Seahawk · 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Duke and 'hawk,
Thanks for the info. Those things were quite a bit more than the conventional openers last time I looked. I wanted to hear someone had a good experience with them.

I really need to replace the door on my detached garage, it's old, heavy and honked up. I almost never close it. I'm a DIY guy on most things and had wondered if I could install a garage door myself? While considering doing the door install myself I saw those iDrive openers and wondered if I could do the whole thing? Probably up for the door...if it comes with decent instructions. The iDrive? I don't know. Might have to have that done.

FWIW, Lowe's jobbed out the install. The guy who installed the doors REALLY knew what he was doing and the two doors took him about five hours. There was some old openers and other detritus that had to be removed so that may have impacted install time.

I DYI almost everything on my farm, but I learned years ago that there are jobs you simply cannot beat a trademans at...I'm hiring some Menonites to recover (with metal) and fix two old tobacco barns simply because of the time factor. It would not be difficult, just a time hump.

All the best.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Gooch1971
+1

These were ALL of my exact sentiments. FWIW: I will NEVER try to change the coil spring on the garage door. My grandfather, who was the handiest person I've ever known, nearly lost a hand when the spring recoiled on him.

I have a Chamberlain Screw type opener and while the mechanical components work nicely the remotes and keypad units $uck. It's gotten to the point where you have to drive right up to the door to get an open...and it may take many button hits.

The keypad will not work when mounted on aluminum. I'm on my third unit. I believe they also make Sears openers and well.

Regarding the torsion springs, I replaced mine and it was not that hard. If careful it is definitely a DIY oiperation. A search will show a thread describing my experience.

legion · 01-07-2007, 08:32 AM

I was considering the Idrive, but my garage door does not have transverse springs and I'd have to have those installed (was quoted $500 for that job alone--and I won't do springs myself).

The problem I was having with the old chain drive was that the chain would expand in the summer and contract in the winter--I had to retension it almost weekly. We were gone over Christmas, the temperature had dropped, and now the track was bowed upwards (about 2 inches high in the middle than the ends). The power unit had also developed an intermittent short--it often wouldn't work without percussive maintenance.

Also, the bracing on the old power unit was hodge-podge at best, it would shake and sway considerably when opened or closed. Because the new unit is much lighter and closer to the ceiling, I used less bracing but used it more effectively.

ginot912 · 01-07-2007, 10:06 AM

Dan,

I bought a 16 x 8 metal door from Home Depot and the torsion spring system is made to be wound up using a drill with a bit provided. Very easy.

Gino

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Gino, Was the installatio of the door itself all that big a hassle? Seems like the size of the damned thinbg would be like wrestling a whale. Other wise, installation of the track OUGHt (yeah, right!) to be just level, parallel and plumb. Or am I oversimplifying it?

legion · 01-07-2007, 01:07 PM

The new unit installed:

The board I had to use to mount the new unit higher:

Close up the the bracket I fabricated for hanging the unit.

The old beast:

lendaddy · 01-07-2007, 01:16 PM

Legion, I have the same one and am on my third carrier (the piece that runs on the screw and attaches to the arm that connects to the door). The gear just wears out, so pick up a spare if you think of it.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

I have installed many openers. I installed an I-drive recently and it was by far the hardest (although it is billed as the easiest), and the install was quite dangerous compared to standard openers IMHO. It would be well worth paying for an install. I personally prefer the screwdrive I installed in my other house, a Genie Excellerator...because it rises very rapidly compared to most openers. The I-drive also rises rather quickly and has a nice clean look. If I had a Wayne Dalton door, I would definitely use the I-drive...but probably not otherwise unless I had to due to lack of clearance....Even then, I would probably use an installer.

stevej37 · 01-07-2007, 01:56 PM

I installed two of the I-Drives by Wayne Dalton (one for each door). Very easy install..just slide the unit over the torsion bar and then fasten it to the header. No track or rail to hang, and the opener is out of the way. Very quiet and fast operation.

legion · 01-07-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lendaddy
Legion, I have the same one and am on my third carrier (the piece that runs on the screw and attaches to the arm that connects to the door). The gear just wears out, so pick up a spare if you think of it.

You know, I was looking the whole thing over while I was taking the pictures, and thought to myself: "I bet the carrier is the single part that wears the most in this setup."

ginot912 · 03:01 PM

Dan,
The installation is very easy, the panels are 2' x 16' and light.
You might have to prop some wood against the panels while assembling and possibly have a piece of rope looped to hold the horizontal pieces of track.

Gino

Dottore · 01-07-2007, 05:38 PM

Love to tap the braintrust here:

What combination of garage door and opener would you guys consider best from a security perspective?

We have had a spate of kids (crystal meth idiots) ramming garage doors with pick-up trucks, and then running in to grab tools and whatever they can find and taking off again. Strictly smash-and-grab, and the whole thing takes no more than 3 or 4 minutes.

Anyone know about secure garage doors?