For those of you who have a garage door opener

[Exterous]

Do ever check your door's safety features? Just noticed the warning on my door that says they should be tested monthly. Not sure I've ever tested one at all let alone monthly

 

[ControlD]

I know my obstruction sensors work but I haven't tested the auto reverse feature since the last time the springs were replaced. The guy that did the replacement actually let the door come down on his shoulder to test it. I'm just not willing to try that myself.

 

[Kaido]

Mine has some kind of laser trip sensor, but I don't think it has auto-reverse based on pressure feedback. Reminds me of growing up...garage door was coming down & my brother tried to beat it out to the driveway, ended up getting smooshed. Had to get a ton of stitches on his head.

Safety features are a Good Thing.

 

[ControlD]

Mine has some kind of laser trip sensor, but I don't think it has auto-reverse based on pressure feedback. Reminds me of growing up...garage door was coming down & my brother tried to beat it out to the driveway, ended up getting smooshed. Had to get a ton of stitches on his head.

Safety features are a Good Thing.

How old is it? I'm pretty sure the auto reverse feature has been a requirement for some time. My opener is about 20 years old and it has that feature. There is an adjustment potentiometer to adjust the amount of force required to trigger the reverse action.

 

[Kaido]

How old is it? I'm pretty sure the auto reverse feature has been a requirement for some time. My opener is about 20 years old and it has that feature. There is an adjustment potentiometer to adjust the amount of force required to trigger the reverse action.

I dunno, pretty old (note: I'm in a different place than I was growing up, so those are two different garage door systems).

Reminds me, I still need to install my Chamberlain MyQ smartphone garage door opener. Got it on sale on Amazon awhile back...that would be handy since I don't have a garage door opener!

 

[Puffnstuff]

I regularly test the beam by breaking it while the door is lowering to make sure that it will stop. I also use a small box under the door to test the obstruction sensor to make sure that the door will stop and raise.

 

[gorcorps]

I have my sensors taped together because when I replaced the opener it wouldn't work, and I did it to prove that the sensors actually functioned. Once it worked I just left it.

I'm sure I'll install it properly if I get a dog or have kids

 

[bruceb]

You should check them for safetys sake. On the optical sensors, I suggest cleaning the lense on the sensor and the light sender. Just some glass cleaner on a Q-Tip or lint free rag. And you can test the auto reverse by just tapping the door bottom with a broom stick or similar. Most opener mechanisms should have a sensitivity adjustment if the auto reverse takes too long to react (it should work instantly)

 

[NoTine42]

I know my obstruction sensors work but I haven't tested the auto reverse feature since the last time the springs were replaced. The guy that did the replacement actually let the door come down on his shoulder to test it. I'm just not willing to try that myself.

I wouldn't personally do a shoulder test (props to a good, confident installer) but I would do a grab test with my hands at waist height. If it's too much force, I just let it go

 

[BudAshes]

My question is how easy are garage doors to hack? Seems like someone could build an app that would open anyone's garage door from their smartphone in this day and age.

 

[pauldun170]

Just repaired (nylon gear replacement) my craftsman over the summer and ran through the checks.
Sensors - Good
Wood placed under door - Done
Me applying pressure - done
Lubing of the chain - dont
Pat on the back for keeping a garage door opener in service - done

 

[quikah]

My question is how easy are garage doors to hack? Seems like someone could build an app that would open anyone's garage door from their smartphone in this day and age.

There is usually no point, you can just use a coat hanger to snag the release mechanism from the outside and open the door manually. Most people don't block the release.

 

[shortylickens]

I know my obstruction sensors work but I haven't tested the auto reverse feature since the last time the springs were replaced. The guy that did the replacement actually let the door come down on his shoulder to test it. I'm just not willing to try that myself.

Put a ladder in the way.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Mine does not have that sensor. Whoever originally installed it just never bothered I guess. But one thing I DID learn via testing is that an automatic door is not very secure, you can manually operate it, there is no locking mechanism or anything. So all one needs to do is stick a crow bar or other object to get enough grip and then the door can be manually opened. Someone stole my opener with intention of coming back to steal stuff so I turned it off, then decided to do this test. I keep it turned off now, and have a chain and hook to stop it from opening. I need to unlatch that first before opening the door. I don't use it to park my car in anymore anyway. I've been wanting to build a shed so I can move all the stuff that's in it, then convert it into a shop or something.

 

[Charmonium]

I regularly put a lump of coal under mine to see if I can crush it into a diamond. The crushing part usually works but no diamond.

 

[ControlD]

Mine does not have that sensor. Whoever originally installed it just never bothered I guess. But one thing I DID learn via testing is that an automatic door is not very secure, you can manually operate it, there is no locking mechanism or anything. So all one needs to do is stick a crow bar or other object to get enough grip and then the door can be manually opened. Someone stole my opener with intention of coming back to steal stuff so I turned it off, then decided to do this test. I keep it turned off now, and have a chain and hook to stop it from opening. I need to unlatch that first before opening the door. I don't use it to park my car in anymore anyway. I've been wanting to build a shed so I can move all the stuff that's in it, then convert it into a shop or something.

Most garage door openers have a locking mechanism that needs to be released before you can force the door up. Either yours is in the released state or it is a really old opener.