Garage Door Opener Recommendation

[LX470]

I've been in the house for awhile and have gone through several different brands of garage door openers.

I presently have a Chamberlain with MYQ and battery backup purchased almost three years ago.

It is a belt drive and very quiet. It had operated flawlessly until a few days ago when I started having issues with sensor error messages and the door starting/stopping.

I replaced both sensors but, that led to the latest issue of excessive opening force and excessive closing force.

I realize that electronics and cheap Chicom parts are sometimes short lived.

Any recommendations on brands, etc...? Jackshaft versus conventional?

I really like the battery backup and open/close notification features.

Thanks!

[Wulf202]

You may consider replacing the control board vs replacing the whole unit

[theGinsue]

I just replaced my opener about a month ago. Before purchasing a new opener, I got recommendations from my garage door guy and from my brother in MO who is a commercial/residential garage door guy. I also did a pretty fair amount of research to ensure I chose the right opener.

When I read the title of the thread I thought I'd come in and offer my recommendation based off of what I got. Unfortunately, after reading your post I can't - because it sounds like you have exactly what I ended up purchasing - and now I'm having buyers remorse.

All I have to offer is a "good luck" and hope that you'll keep us up to date on what you end up doing as it may help me or others down the road.

[Duman]

I've always had good luck with Craftsman garage door openers, though I'm not sure you can get them anymore.

Last time I looked for garage door opener, there were only a small number of suppliers. I've heard good things about Genie, they make the belt drive IIRC.

[LX470]

You may consider replacing the control board vs replacing the whole unit

That, I guess, will be my next step. I spoke with someone yesterday who had some of the same issues but, his turned out to be a travel stop motor problem where the cheap plastic gears were chewed away. He ended up replacing the unit, the same as mine, rather than continually throwing parts at it. The logic board is around $150.

[DeraldR]

My Genie screw drives are 20+ years old, and never any parts added to them.

I have had to clean & re-grease the screws about every 5-6 years, otherwise when the grease starts to dry out, there is too much friction to overcome, the motor feels the resistance and reverses directions. I would think that a chain drive would have similar problems.

[MrPrena]

I use silicon based lubes for openers.
As for spring and rail, I use lithium based.

House came with genie and was built 2005ish.
My parent's house 15 years ago had genie installed as well.

I would probably go with same or similar power with quietest. Ours is fairly noisy.

[battlemidget]

I'd stick with Chamberlain. I was told by the installer that Chamberlain is really Liftmaster, but due to agreements with large outfits, there are restrictions on how Liftmaster products are sold/installed. Dunno if that's true.
I have a Chamberlain, and if it burned out I'd replace it with the same thing.

[theGinsue]

I've always had good luck with Craftsman garage door openers, though I'm not sure you can get them anymore.

Last time I looked for garage door opener, there were only a small number of suppliers. I've heard good things about Genie, they make the belt drive IIRC.

The opener I just replaced was a 20yo screw drive. Genie USED TO make excellent products. Everything I've read, and now been told by 2 installers is that Genie is using cheaper parts and their openers don't last 1/2 as long as they used to last.

Both of the installers I spoke with indicated that the Craftsman openers are made by Chamberlain (aka Liftmaster). If you are interested in a Craftsman opener, Lowe's carries them.

[LX470]

I ended up monkeying around with the Chamberlain and got it back on track. It had been trouble-free until then so, I'm guessing it was a sensor as the replacement ones seemed to fix the issue.

While I was in the garage, I moved a receptacle higher on the wall so I could go to a shaft drive model if this one acts up again.

So far, so good.

Thanks for the input!

[Linkless]

My house had the shaft drive models installed by the previous owner. I don't think I would own anything else at this point. I had problems with the control panels, but it's a known issue with bad circuit parts (from the time when the chinese copies hit the market) but the new ones are fine. My favorite part is the fact they have a solenoid lock that keeps you from having to worry about someone forcing the door open.

[Irving]

Sounds like a great project to do with my new Everlast mig welder.

[brutal]

My house had the shaft drive models installed by the previous owner. I don't think I would own anything else at this point. I had problems with the control panels, but it's a known issue with bad circuit parts (from the time when the chinese copies hit the market) but the new ones are fine. My favorite part is the fact they have a solenoid lock that keeps you from having to worry about someone forcing the door open.

Everyone with an overhead door should have the zip-tie mod to prevent easy entry by tripping the release from outside the door. Look it up.

[LeJerk]

https://www.garagedoorarmor.com/blogs/news/111947911-why-a-zip-tie-is-not-enough-to-secure-your-garage-door

Basically saying zip ties are either too strong and someone can't open it in an emergency, or not strong enough for people to still break in, and this product is better.

[brutal]

https://www.garagedoorarmor.com/blogs/news/111947911-why-a-zip-tie-is-not-enough-to-secure-your-garage-door

Basically saying zip ties are either too strong and someone can't open it in an emergency, or not strong enough for people to still break in, and this product is better.

There are many solutions, both hardware and automation, that come at a cost relative to their level of security.

Long shaft lock in the track (when you're away), Jackshaft opener, electronic deadbolt, home automation (security alerts). Just pointing out a cheap and easy deterrent. If they can't get in the overhead easily, they're either going to break in another entrance or move on to an easier target.