Help me choose a garage door opener.

Owen Lucas said:
I really appreciate you posting this. The sale starts the 21st which is why I am seeing the non-discounted price. I'll look into this further. Looks like the app requires a subscription but still a good deal.
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If you decide to go with this model (which is a good buy at $200 on sale @ COSTCO), I highly suggest that you replace the wall switch panel with a similar panel that does not contain the problematic proximity sensor (the sensor is below the light button at the bottom of the panel shown below).
1731853893675.webp

The wall panel circuit board will fail in 2-3 years and cause the door to randomly open and close. These problems with the proximity sensor are well documented on various online forums. Chamberlain sent me 2 free replacement wall panel units over 5 years and I ultimately downgraded to the panel w/out the proximity sensor after the 3rd panel failed. Otherwise, consider buying the $180 Chamberlain unit that you posted above from Home Depot.
 
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Nukeman7 said:
If you decide to go with this model (which is a good buy at $200 on sale @ COSTCO), I highly suggest that you replace the wall switch panel with a similar panel that does not contain the problematic proximity sensor (the sensor is below the light button at the bottom of the panel shown below).
View attachment 250258
The wall panel circuit board will fail in 2-3 years and cause the door to randomly open and close. These problems with the proximity sensor are well documented on various online forums. Chamberlain sent me 2 free replacement wall panel units over 5 years and I ultimately downgraded to the panel w/out the proximity sensor after the 3rd panel failed. Otherwise, consider buying the $180 Chamberlain unit that you posted above from Home Depot.
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This guy knows openers! I was out of town a few weeks ago and fortunately my in-laws were here watching my kids. They called to say that one of the doors was wide open and won’t close with the control panel. I have 3 Liftmaster 8500s with the proximity wall panel all installed in 2017. The control panels don’t get used much so I think mine lasted longer than most.

Needless to say it’s a giant security issue that the wall control fails and causes the door to OPEN! I called Liftmaster and they wanted to sell me 3 control panels for $150 or so. I just disconnected the openers for now. Can I just buy a doorbell or any other opener to replace them?
 
I have a belt driven Genie with the Connect app. I'm surprised I use the app as much as I do for opening and closing the door. It's much quieter than my old screw drive.
 
We still have the same Chamberlain opener that was installed when we bought the house in 2006 but it has some new parts. The main drive gear is some sort of polymer and it shredded itself when someone tried to open the door when it was frozen to the floor, so I had to replace it. Then, 4-5 years ago it stopped responding to the remote so I had to replace the circuit board and I was lucky enough to find a used one on eBay or cheap.

My advice is to install a good surge protector for your opener just like you would any other piece of delicate electronics because that's what usually kills them. My dad went through openers like a wino through Boone's Farm and it was never a mechanical issue that killed them. It was always the circuit board getting fried because he was at the end of a poorly-rmodulated supply line. I think it was a near-miss by lightning that zapped mine.

While you're at it, put a surge protector on your refrigerator and any other major appliance that has a circuit board.
 
RhondaHonda said:
This guy knows openers! I was out of town a few weeks ago and fortunately my in-laws were here watching my kids. They called to say that one of the doors was wide open and won’t close with the control panel. I have 3 Liftmaster 8500s with the proximity wall panel all installed in 2017. The control panels don’t get used much so I think mine lasted longer than most.

Needless to say it’s a giant security issue that the wall control fails and causes the door to OPEN! I called Liftmaster and they wanted to sell me 3 control panels for $150 or so. I just disconnected the openers for now. Can I just buy a doorbell or any other opener to replace them?
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You can install a simple doorbell switch, but that will only open and close the door. Other features like the on/off light function will not work with a doorbell momentary contact switch.

I have not installed the LM 8500 jackscrew GDOs, but they come with the 889LM wall control panels which have the problematic proximity sensors. I replaced my panels with these inexpensive units from Amazon and they operate the open/close features as well as the on/off for the lights. However, the "lock" function does not work as that button just turns the lights on/off too.
1731860811469.webp


If you want to retain all of the functions offered by the original 889LM, you can install the 882LMW wall panel (or an aftermarket 882LMW variant) which does not have the proximity sensor.
1731861060853.webp

1731860880309.webp
 
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Nukeman7 said:
You can install a simple doorbell switch, but that will only open and close the door. Other features like the on/off light function will not work with a doorbell momentary contact switch.

I have not installed the LM 8500 jackscrew GDOs, but they come with the 889LM wall control panels which have the problematic proximity sensors. I replaced my panels with these inexpensive units from Amazon and they operate the open/close features as well as the on/off for the lights. However, the "lock" function does not work as that button just turns the lights on/off too.
View attachment 250271

If you want to retain all of the functions offered by the original 889LM, you can install the 882LMW wall panel (or an aftermarket 882LMW variant) which does not have the proximity sensor.
View attachment 250274
View attachment 250273
Click to expand...
Just ordered 3 of the non-proximity ones from Liftmaster. I didn’t realize the proximity sensor was what caused the issues. Should be here tomorrow.
 
RhondaHonda said:
Just ordered 3 of the non-proximity ones from Liftmaster. I didn’t realize the proximity sensor was what caused the issues. Should be here tomorrow.
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Several of the online postings indicate it is due to failing capacitors on the portion of the circuit board used to operate the proximity sensors. Here is a video where an individual fixed the panel by replacing the failing capacitors. While the problem originated with the older 888LM control panel, I know of one similar failure on the newer 889LM panel which was supposed to have upgraded capacitors.

 
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AZjeff said:
I bet what kills openers is springs out of adjustment. If you haven't checked/adjusted you springs every few years or ever they need it guaranteed. It's possible to adjust torsion springs without bodily injury or property damage, there are plenty of good videos. Most important is to make or buy 2 proper adjusting rods and be careful and deliberate.
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I've watched a few tutorials on YT and looks like a good tip is to lubricate the spring periodically to keep it from binding which can lead to it breaking early. I'll do this before the install.

Sofar I've narrowed down my list to the no-frills Chamberlain 1/2
 
AZjeff said:
I bet what kills openers is springs out of adjustment. If you haven't checked/adjusted you springs every few years or ever they need it guaranteed. It's possible to adjust torsion springs without bodily injury or property damage, there are plenty of good videos. Most important is to make or buy 2 proper adjusting rods and be careful and deliberate.
Click to expand...
I've watched a few tutorials on YT and looks like a good tip is to lubricate the spring periodically to keep it from binding which can lead to it breaking early. I'll do this before the install, possibly WD-40 or dedicated garage door opener lube.

So far I've narrowed down my list to the no-frills 1/2 HP Chamberlain Smart Quiet Belt Drive Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup. The current design only has a doorbell setup so unless there is wireless connectivity for the GDO lights, we will stick with the included door bell design.

My research is indicating the Chamberlain model is more reliable than Genie though it seem Genie uses a quieter DC motor design and has more app features. The garage is over lit anyway 6 ceiling bulbs of which 2 of them are high lumen multi-led adjustable wing lights. Super bright!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Chamber...-with-Battery-Backup-B2211T/322246530#overlay
 
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Owen Lucas said:
My research is indicating the Chamberlain model is more reliable than Genie though it seem Genie uses a quieter DC motor design and has more app features. The garage is over lit anyway 6 ceiling bulbs of which 2 of them are high lumen multi-led adjustable wing lights. Super bright!
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You will need to be careful with using LED light bulbs around a GDO as they emit all sorts of RFI that can degrade the signal from the handheld remote transmitter(s). I installed a 6 folding LED element wing style flood light in my garage and the RFI prevented the remote transmitters from operating beyond 15 feet away. Replacing the LED array with an incandescent or CFL bulb eliminated the RFI. They actually make low RFI LED bulbs that have built in filters to use with GDOs to prevent interference. I now have the Torchstar low RFI bulbs installed in my GDO and garage overhead fixture.

1731869364629.webp
 
Owen Lucas said:
I've watched a few tutorials on YT and looks like a good tip is to lubricate the spring periodically to keep it from binding which can lead to it breaking early. I'll do this before the install, possibly WD-40 or dedicated garage door opener lube.
Click to expand...
I lubed my tension springs every 6 months or so since the house was new in 2018 and had a spring break a couple of months ago. Oh well I tried.
 
Nukeman7 said:
I installed a 6 folding LED element wing style flood light in my garage and the RFI prevented the remote transmitters from operating beyond 15 feet away. Replacing the LED array with an incandescent or CFL bulb eliminated the RFI. They actually make low RFI LED bulbs that have built in filters to use with GDOs to prevent interference.
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Great points. I might have to switch the lights in the garage to incandescent bulbs. Fortunately I purchased boxes and boxes of incandescents before they were banned in the US.
 
Nukeman7 said:
You will need to be careful with using LED light bulbs around a GDO as they emit all sorts of RFI that can degrade the signal from the handheld remote transmitter(s). I installed a 6 folding LED element wing style flood light in my garage and the RFI prevented the remote transmitters from operating beyond 15 feet away. Replacing the LED array with an incandescent or CFL bulb eliminated the RFI. They actually make low RFI LED bulbs that have built in filters to use with GDOs to prevent interference. I now have the Torchstar low RFI bulbs installed in my GDO and garage overhead fixture.

View attachment 250296
Click to expand...
I would have never thought of that. Good info.
 
I've got 8 GDO's in my care now. LED's in the units, no issues yet. Newest one is a year old with the no LED bulb sticker on it. A couple have wireless outside keypads also. Mostly Lift Master units and a couple of Craftsman's ranging from 15 yrs old to one year old.
LED replacement 4' and 8' tubes in both shops also.
IMO it's who makes the bulb that generates interfering RF and an offending bulb would get trashed.
Give me the LED bulbs any day, it's not fun changing incandescent bulbs 14' up all the time.
 
I have been using LED in my Liftmaster 1/2 hp for years with no issues..
 
I had Craftsman by SEARs for many years. Chain drive that worked great. Once in a while the plastic gears inside would wear out and need replacing. I could drive very easily to the giant SEARs / Craftsman parts warehouse about 30 mins from the house. SEARs all gone now. :cry:

Started to use Chamberlain in place of the Craftsman. Not one bit of trouble :)with mid priced Chamberlain I bought from Lowe's at least 7-8 years back. Just installed now double door today and opener is working in just fine.
 
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