Garage door opener

[JCN]

I have no idea where to post this question so I'll try gardening and tractoring even though it's more of a home maintenance question!

Has anyone here installed a garage door opener? I have a manual roll up door on a spare third car garage (my current gun storage room and future reloading station!). I'd like to have an electric opener installed. Is it something I can do myself or should I contact a professional??

[Cofisher]

You can do it. I have. Measure twice, cut once.

[Henry88]

I think it's somewhere between CroMagnam and Steven Hawking.

GL

[GFK]

You should be able to. I have installed two so far. Both were different. One was attached to the door (easiest). Due to a support beam placement, the other type was attached to the door shaft (took more time). If you have a uninterrupted period, it probably take 2-3 hours or so.

[daytime dave]

I agree with GFK. A couple of hours and you should be all set. Good luck and keep us posted.

Take pictures and post them. Hmmmm, maybe we need a home improvement section?

[JCN]

Appreciate the responses. I'll see how much the garage door guys want to charge before jumping in.

[JCN]

I agree with GFK. A couple of hours and you should be all set. Good luck and keep us posted.

Take pictures and post them. Hmmmm, maybe we need a home improvement section?

There are probably quite a few sections we can group together like gardening, home improvement, maybe a few others? Kind of like what you guy did with the 'other Henry's' area.

[GFK]

I think the cost of installation is what prompted me to install the first one. As I recall, installation costed more than the opener. The last opener I installed (iDrive) had a 10 year warranty. It has been there for more than 10 years so far. I have had the motor replaced once though during that time. But, the company is no longer around. From what I understand, it was bought by Genie.

[JCN]

I had a feeling that was the case. Looks like the builder has the garage prewired as well. There's even a power outlet right where I'll be mounting it.

[GFK]

Go for it! The Internet is always there. And, we may be able to offer a thing or two as well.

[Squatch]

Go for it. If you are somewhat handy you can handle it. I've found the big trick to the openers is the springs. Make sure you have the right spring length for your door height and the correct weight. The door should balance and open without a lot of heavy lifting. If the springs are right the door opener really doesn't have to do much work.

[clovishound]

I have had two garage door openers in my life. They were both installed by the manufacturer.

My right arm and my left arm.

They are still working.

[Steve51]

I have installed 3 garage door openers. Two were Genie and the last on was made by Chamberlain. I wish they were all like the last one. It has a belt drive and a battery backup for when the power is out. I take my time and follow the directions closely.

Over the years, I have had two springs break - I call professionals (Overhead Door Co.) to install new ones. The last repairman told me the new springs he put on were rated for 25,000 opening cycles.

[Squatch]

Were they the wrap around style or long coil springs like a screen door spring?

If I had the wrap around style I'd let a pro mess with them.

Mine have the screen door style. I've broken a couple over 25 years. at least one because it was the wrong one. Too short. I have 8' doors. Most are 7' and that's what the local home stores stock springs for. Last one that broke I went on line and found the right springs for the 8' doors and weighed the
doors with a scale. Bought the proper ones for the weight. Those springs were better made and work great. No problems since.

The builder installed inexpensive Craftsman openers. Over the years I've replaced 2 of them. I think the circuit boards start getting flaky in cold weather.
I've stuck with the Craftsman because they still make them and I can get them on sale for under $100. Only need to replace the motor head so it only takes a short while to replace that and no changes needed to anything. Thought about upgrading but I figure it's easy and only spent $200 in 25 years. I can live with that.

[Steve51]

The last three I installed had the coil springs over the top of the door with the round rod running though the springs. I just followed the directions and it was perfectly safe. If a spring breaks (as a couple of mine have over time), then I call the pros. Each of those service calls were approx. $250.

[BigAl52]

I guess Im lucky I have garage door man that came to my house replaced all the rollers on 2 doors put new seals on the bottom of the doors and replaced one of the motor gears that was about to wear in two. Cost me a total of 300.00 and I thought that was a heck of a deal. Its not whether I can do it anymore its whether I want to do it. That is the question.

[GFK]

Its not whether I can do it anymore its whether I want to do it. That is the question.

This is true.

[JCN]

That's how I feel now too...

I'll call the garage door company first....