Types of Garage Door Openers

NOTE: This article is not intended to replace the installation instructions in the owner's manual.

Earlier openers were troubled by stray radio interference from airplanes, radios, and other transmitters. Modern units have a wide array of frequencies to prevent random signals opening up your door. The first step is to determine the type of door you have. There are four basic styles of garage doors: curved track, straight track, one-piece jamb, and one-piece pivot.

There are two basic door opener drive systems: chain or plastic belt driven, and screw driven. In a chain driven system, a chain fits around a sprocket and is connected to a cable to make a loop. A carriage mechanism attaches to the chain and the rotation of the sprocket opens and closes the door. Some of the newer systems of this type use a plastic belt drive, rather than a metal chain. Since there is no metal-to-metal contact, there is never any need to lubricate the opener.

With the screw-driven opener, there are no gears to wear out or chain to stretch, so it requires little maintenance while offering improved reliability and quiet operation over chain drives. However, screw-driven openers are more expensive.

BEFORE INSTALLATION:
Most building departments do not require permits for accessory items like garage door openers. If you need to add, change, or remove any structures to accommodate the installation, you may need a permit for that. Always check with your local codes before proceeding.

Before beginning the opener's installation, it is important that you note the following:

• Make sure the door counterbalance system is properly adjusted and that the door travels freely. It is important that the door can be opened by hand. To check balance, raise the door approximately 3' and release. The door should remain in this position--moving neither up nor down.

WARNING-
Under no condition should you tamper with or attempt to loosen or remove the garage door main spring. This spring is installed under tension and any attempt to remove it may result in it being released and causing personal injury. Adjustment or replacement of door springs must be done by a professional door installer.

• Remove or make the door lock bar inoperative. The operator door arm and trolley assembly lock the door in the closed position making the locking device unnecessary.
• Remove any rope that may be attached to the door.
• Have a grounded outlet installed within 6' of the opener, if one is already not installed. Some building codes require a dedicated circuit and do not allow extension cords to power the unit.
• Locate the safety beam on the door jambs with a clear visual access across the door opening, Some safety beams are optional to door opener kits. Other kits have safety-stop or reverse mechanisms built-in. It is highly recommended to have a safety-stop or reverse mechanism of some kind with every kit.
• Carefully read the instructions in the owner's manual before starting the installation.