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How To Install A Garage Door Opener

Garage Door Opener
Before you purchase a garage door opener, you should know that there are 4 different type to openers. Each with different benefits. Garage door opener come in chain, belt, screw and direct drive.

1. Belt drive mechanism: Considered the one of quieter option. These units rely on a belt that can break. They are priced at $200 and up. This design uses rubber belts to open the door.

2. Chain drive mechanism: By far the most popular and affordable opening device. These are usually the nosiest option. Priced between $100 and $170, this model uses a chain to move the door. The chain will have a longer life than a belt.

3. Screw drive mechanism: This design relies on a long threaded rod to open the door. The newer Genie drive are variable speed so that they can open the door fast (when you are usually in hurry) but still close slow when safety is the concern. The cost for this unit is typically between $150 and $300.

4. Direct Drive: These units attach to the existing tension bar that counter balances the door. The variable speed drive (VFD)does not hang down from the ceiling but attaches to the wall above the garage door. The motor in a direct drive unit makes a whistling noise during operation and usually have a soft start and stop. The soft start/stop and VFD make for a quiet, low-vibration operation. These units cost about $300 per door.

If you have a double door, look for at least 1/2 hp motor. Even on a single door, a larger motor is likely to last longer.

Garage door and parking accessories manufacturers include: Aleen, AutoCloser, Alliance, Allister, Allstar, All-O-Matic, American, Spring, BD Loops, BFT, Bluemax, Carper, Challenger, Chamberlain, Click2Enter, Clicker, Craftsman, Crusader, Daytona Brands, DesignTech, Digi-Code, DKS, DoorKing, Eagle, Elite, EMX, 1st United Doors, Gaplock, Genie, Gentex, Heddolf, HIDHolmes, HomeLink, Household, Alert, Keystone, LiftMaster, Linear, Manaras, Marantec, Martec, Miller Edge, Miracle, Instruments, MITO, Corp, Moore-O-Matic, MultiCode, MultiLink, ON/kor, Otodor, Overhead Door, Pac & Co, Pulsar, RaceDeck, Raynor, Reno, A&E, Scosche, Sears, Sentex, SkyLink, Stanley, Tec-Key. The most common homeowner-installed garage door opener are made by Sears/Craftman, Genie and Chamberlain (Costco). The most common dealer installed openers are from Liftmaster and Overhead Door.

Before starting this project, make sure to read the manufacturer?s instructions and the safety tips. First check to be sure that you garage door has a functioning counter-balance system (usually a torsional spring), moves freely and is well balanced.

What You Need: Tools: tape measure, drill and bits, wrench, stepladder, screwdriver, pliers, hammer, pencil, wire cutters, adjustable wrench, 1/2 inch and 7/16 inch sockets and ratchet wrench. Materials: garage door opener kit, possibly 2X lumber if needed for door header.

1: Begin by lining up the rail pieces in the proper order and secure them with the included braces and bolts.

2: Screw the pulley bracket to the garage door end of the rail and be sure to slide the trolley onto the rail. Check the alignment to be sure everything moves smoothly, this will save you time and trouble later.

3: Remove the two screws from the top of the opener, then you can attach the rail to the opener and replace the screws.

4: Take the cable (packaged in its dispensing carton) and attach the cable loop to the front of the trolley using the included hardware. Then wrap the cable around the pulley and put the remaining chain around the drive sprocket on the opener. Then, with the included hardware, attach it to the other side of the trolley.

5: Put the cover over the drive sprocket after you are sure the chain is not twisted. Then tighten the chain by adjusting the nuts on the trolley until it is about 1/2 inch above the base of the rail.

6: Now, mark a vertical center line on the wall above the middle of the garage door. Then open the door and take note of the highest point the door reaches. Measure up from the floor to this place and add 2 inches to the measurement and mark a horizontal line on the front wall where this line intersects with the line previously drawn at the center point. (If a structural support does not already exist at this point you will have to fashion one from 2X lumber placing it across the framing)

7: Fasten the header bracket to the structural support. Attach the end of the rail to the header bracket above the door using the included pin.

8: Place the opener on a ladder to place it above the door tracks and open the door and shim beneath the opener until the rail is 2 inches above the door.

9: Now hang the opener from the ceiling joists using the included brackets. You should angle one of the brackets to make sure the unit remains stable during use. 10: Connect the manual release chord and handle to the release arm of the trolley.

11: Strip off 1/2 inch of the sheathing around the wall-console bell wire. Connect the wire to the screw terminals on the console and then attach it to the inside wall of the garage. 12: Run the wires up the wall and connect them to the opener unit. Secure the wire to the wall using staples (insulated). Make sure you don't staple the wire! 13: Install the light bulb in the opener unit. Then, install the sensor eye mounting bracket on each side of the door at about 6 inches from the floor and making sure they are parallel to each other.

14: Attach the sensor eyes in the installed brackets making sure the path of the sensors is not obstructed by the door tracks. 15: Run a wire from both the sensors to the opener and connect them in their terminals. Now plug in the unit and check the sensors, adjusting as needed until the sensor lights indicate proper alignment. Make sure the sensors are firmly tightened in place and unplug the opener unit will you attach the wires to the wall with insulated staples.

16: Center the door bracket roughly 2 inches below the top of the door. Drill holes and attach the bracket using carriage bolts (should be included).

17: Connect the curved and straight sections of the arms and attach the arm to the trolley using latch pins.

18: Finally, plug the opener in and test the unit.


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