Need to learn about garage door openers

[Bogie]

Well, the one in the garage here in Cat Whiz gets used about 20+ times a day... They didn't put a people door on that side of the house...
 
And now it's making horrid noises, and the chain-drive isn't doing anything in either direction. It's a 1/2 horsepower Craftsman.

[Manedwolf]

You want to make sure you get one that changes the frequency each time or uses a more complex code. The cheapest sort, which I don't know if they even sell anymore, did not do that, and anyone who wandered along with a frequency counter could pick up on it, then open your door later and steal stuff. And yes, there were a few rings in S. Florida doing exactly that.

[K Frame]

Talk to Mtnbkr.

His bit the big one last year and, in typical IT Geek fashion, he methodically put in a fair amount of research. 

Me? I just run out and buy something and then slap it up. Instructions? What, do I look like a wimp or something? 

[Manedwolf]

Talk to Mtnbkr.

His bit the big one last year and, in typical IT Geek fashion, he methodically put in a fair amount of research. 

Me? I just run out and buy something and then slap it up. Instructions? What, do I look like a wimp or something? 

[Bogie]

I just wanna fix it if I can - maybe the chain jumped a sprocket or something.
 
I hate this disposable world.
 
If I do put a new one in, then I'll research the new ones, as only a geek can geek on tech...

[Nitrogen]

I had a similar problem last year.

The door jammed.  Theres a small distructable plastic gear inside mine that self destructs if the door is jammed; it keeps the inner workings from blowing up or something.

So I'd disconnect the door, make sure it moves freely, and pull the housing off; and see if you see something like that.

[Harold Tuttle]

there should be a rope pull handle that disengages the door from the chain

mine got f-ed up and I had to replace the prawl assembly in the latch

[Bogie]

The thing seems to move back and forth okay manually... I think the destructogear ate it due to cold weather, and constant use... They better sell 'em at Sears...

[K Frame]

That's not my garage.

That's my gun safe.

[Gewehr98]

Speaking of disposable, Bogie...

Did the Maggies find a home? 

[mtnbkr]

His bit the big one last year and, in typical IT Geek fashion, he methodically put in a fair amount of research. 

Me? I just run out and buy something and then slap it up. Instructions? What, do I look like a wimp or something? 

The main drive gear in the Craftsman unit I had (came with the house and was about 15 years old) broke in half and the replacement assembly was 1/4 the cost of a new opener.  I replaced it with a belt drive unit from Lowes.  The belt drive models are much quieter (important if your garage is near a living space as ours is) but not as good if you have a heavy door.  My garage door is a single width model.

Chris

[Nick1911]

The thing seems to move back and forth okay manually... I think the destructogear ate it due to cold weather, and constant use... They better sell 'em at Sears...

Ha!  No one carries parts for their products. Do let me know if you can get one.

[Tallpine]

That's not my garage.

That's my gun safe.

You better adjust that door - it's dragging on your linoleum

[NickySantoro]

The thing seems to move back and forth okay manually... I think the destructogear ate it due to cold weather, and constant use... They better sell 'em at Sears...

It won't be at the retail store. Get the model number off the unit or the manual, then go here......
http://www.searspartsdirect.com

[Bogie]

great - they're going to be screaming if it isn't fixed. I'm probably going to get to go to HD and get a whole new one...

[Tallpine]

great - they're going to be screaming if it isn't fixed. I'm probably going to get to go to HD and get a whole new one...

Or you could just hire a mexican to stand there all day and open and close the door for you ... 

[Brad Johnson]

The thing seems to move back and forth okay manually... I think the destructogear ate it due to cold weather, and constant use... They better sell 'em at Sears...

They do.  I put in three or four a year for family/friends/clients.  It's no biggie.  The replacement gears run about $25 and come as a set.

Brad

[eyebrows]

I work on these everyday. It's easy to do, when you buy the kit it should come with bushings, worm gear, and sprocket assembly. Don't worry about replacing anything but the sprocket assy as everything else typically lasts the life of the opener (10-15 years). The sprocket assy is the wear part. 3 screws and the little gear for the limits are all you should have to remove after getting the case off.

Word of advice, if you replace your opener don't buy hardware store trash with a sectional rail. J-U-N-K
Instead go to your local garage door company and buy one with a solid rail. I recommend Liftmaster(which is starting to change their name to Access Master and is made by Chamberlin who also makes Craftsman). Buy it carry out and install it yourself, should be comparable to the carry out price at the hardware store, maybe a little more.

[Bogie]

Okay... The one that's in there has been in for ten years. And it's had HEAVY use... I'm going to replace it...
 
Chain or screw drive? What would YOU buy?

[Bob F.]

Speaking of Craftsman garage door openers---mine's working fine, now. But it takes spells where the remote will open but not close the door. You have to hold the inside button down to close the door. It has the safety light beam(?) switch, but takes spells where it will or won't work. FWIW, it's a chain drive, Model # ANcient!

Thanks.
Bob

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i recently saw one that lifted door from both sides from bottom  very quiet

[eyebrows]

Bogie:
Belt drive is nice if you have a bedroom over the garage, otherwise chain works fine and costs less.

Bob F.:
Let me guess, you try to shut it with the remote and it stops, goes back up, and the light bulb blinks about 8 times. You're photoeyes are out of alignment, or at least your issue involves them. Photoeyes are the only thing that will cause a craftsman/liftmaster to blink it's light like that. Model # Ancient Craftsman openers also came with crappy photoeyes. The wire actually plugs into the back of them and the little contacts tend to corrode, newer ones don't have plugs.

[MechAg94]

Speaking of Craftsman garage door openers---mine's working fine, now. But it takes spells where the remote will open but not close the door. You have to hold the inside button down to close the door. It has the safety light beam(?) switch, but takes spells where it will or won't work. FWIW, it's a chain drive, Model # ANcient!

Thanks.
Bob

I replaced mine with a genie screw drive this year.  I tried to keep the old safety light beams from the old unit and it behaved similar to that.  You might want to check your wiring. 

I had a Craftsman belt drive and the belt gave out.  The replacement assembly cost well over the half a new unit.  I had noticed little pieces of rubber on the floor before it failed, but it never clicked that they were from the belt.  :)  The Genie screw drive works great.  I don't think it is any louder than the older belt drive. 

[Bogie]

So what do you think?
 
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100431666&N=10000003+90401&D=garage+door+opener

[seeker_two]

Or you could just hire a mexican to stand there all day and open and close the door for you ... 

Probably cheaper and definitely more PC....illegal aliens have a smaller carbon footprint than machines....