another garage door question - what opener?

[RWebb]

my cheapo chain drive Genie GD opener conked out

what should I get?

Chambers seems good, BUT I have a bunch of the Genie Intellicode remotes + a keypad on the wall outside... maybe $150 worth of remotes etc.

should I get another Genie model? If so, which one?

thx all.

[jyl]

How does this work into the biological weapon? Bomb bay door?

[Radioactive]

3800 - DC Motor Residential Jackshaft Opener

[911boost]

+1 to radioactive.

That is what I use. I was able to keep my same outdoor keypad from my old opener.

[sailchef]

I've had a Genie shaft drive for more than 10 years and still works well. Quiet too. Installed another one at a second property last year.

Is the problem with the chain drives the fact that the chain will stretch and jump track?

[RWebb]

not sure; the chains are noisier tho

I pulled mine apart & could never figure out exactly what was wrong - it was definitely cheaply made & hard to work on...

[bornrich]

My Genie shaft drive burned itself out literally after about 14 years use. I replaced it with a chamberlin belt drive. Mucho quiet and was an easy install

[Zeke]

Better check with your local garage door dealer about the old remotes and the new unit for compatibility. If they work together, I don't see how you could not get another Genie. I've got a 30 YO Sears and only one remote left. Nothing will work with it. I think it's so old that even the code busters can't open it. And, it's a chain drive. I keep it well lubed.

[RWebb]

which is better, a chain drive or a screw drive?

2 co.s install Genie's here - one co. does chain drive & the other does screw drive

the chain drive co. claims those are less maintenance than the screw drives - but my neighbor says screw drive is the way to go (he is non-specific as to why and not at all a 'technical' type guy)

noise is no biggie; vibration might be if it loosens the bolts...

thoughts?

[pwd72s]

Screw drive seems to be the most recommended....whether it's better or not, I dunno. Ours has functioned well for years (can't remember how many) with the occasional application of lithium white grease to the screw. Oh...it's a Genie brand.

(edit) I would suggest a garage door with no windows...there is a not so cute video on the net about how to open a garage from the outside by using a long wire to unhook the opener's "power off" feature.

[JavaBrewer]

Same story here. My 7 yr old Genie chain drive (installed by builder) died a couple weeks back. Local garage door company wanted $500 for a new belt drive unit installed. After a bit of research I went with a Chamberlin 3/4 HP belt drive. Came with 2 remotes, a key chain remote, and a wireless keypad for $225 at Lowes. I installed myself in ~ 4 hours and only reused the existing angle bracket hangers. Most of the time was spent routing/tacking the sensor wires in an attractive manner. Very very quiet movement compared to the chain drive it replaced.

[look 171]

Marantec. Super quiet. You wouldn't know if its on, but you wouldn't find it at Home Depot. The only complain is that its slow. 30% slower then others. Who the heck really cares. Great unit. I wouldn't put anything else in my client's home.

[RWebb]

thx for the info - already have the door etc. (will check on window security) - also opener has to be a Genie brand to match my remotes

[pwd72s]

Just block the windows of your door if it has has windows. The technique I saw on the video resembles the use of a coathanger to pull up a car door lock. Bad guys need to look through a window for the technique to work. New openers should come with remotes.