How hard to install a garage opener, really?

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
It's not difficult, but it will take a good half-day...especially with sensors and if you are not replacing an existing system.

I was talking about this at lunch with the guys at work and of the three that did it...they all said "have someone do it". Heheh...to this day one of the guys said his door closes diagonal on cold days

You must have some inept friends

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
It's pretty tough if you've never done it. Getting the tracks straight is probably the biggest PITA, next to lining up the light guns so kids don't get their heads squashed.

bah, buy a cheap laser pointer and it shouldnt be a big deal. Just stick it on the top (use a level to make sure it is on straight) and presto, instant guide!

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
It's not difficult, but it will take a good half-day...especially with sensors and if you are not replacing an existing system.

I was talking about this at lunch with the guys at work and of the three that did it...they all said "have someone do it". Heheh...to this day one of the guys said his door closes diagonal on cold days

You must have some inept friends

They all had a Masters degree in Computer Engineering- and not from Pheonix University either!

 

[Slew Foot]

No way I'd do it on my own. But then again, I got a free install from Sears. It looked like a major PITA when the guy installed it.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: markgm
I installed two of those in my place. It took about an hour and a half for the first one and 20 minutes for the second.

20 minutes to install a garage door opener? Damn, you're good.

I did mine in about 4 hours, by myself. Kind of difficult hanging the unit with one person but a second ladder helps. House was new construction and the wiring was already installed for the sensors and the control pad.

 

[thirdeye]

My friend and I did mine in about 2 hours. Neither of us had done one before. I didn't have to run any electrical anything though.

 

[Compton]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

I just stacked stuff until I had it high enough. :laugh:

lol...

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I replaced my chain drive with a screwdrive Genie last year.

Granted it was like 5 freaking degrees that weekend, but it was a pain in the ass in part due to the weather, and in part due to quality of parts.

the screw is attached using 3- 4 foot long peices that are banded togehter by a little (1/4 inch) collar. IMO opinion, these collars are way too small, and are difficult to handle, especially when it is 5 freaking degrees. I assembled the drive as per the instructions only to find that the thing would not operate because there was too much resistance in the hanger and screwdrive assembly. Keep in mind that it took 2 hours of over head work in 5 freaking degrees to find out that I still did not have an automatic door opener. After disassembling and reassembling 3 times (in 5 degree weather) I decided that the gawddamn thing wasn't machined right. Genie sent me replacement parts and thanks to my extensive practice with assembling the original unit I was able to put it together in about 45 minutes. It seemed to work well!

A couple of months went by and my garage door started spontaniously opening and closing! This was really frustrating as at first it was so intermittant I thought it was my kid playing with the control at first. Then I thought that maybe a neighbor was using a ham radio or something... Finally I called support and they asked me to dissassemble, and then reassemble. Then we got into isolating electrical components... turns out to be a bad sender. They said they would send a free replacement part but I would have to pay shipping. I told them there was no way in hell I was paying shipping on anything after spending a collective 15 hours installing and troubleshooting my Genie device. They graciously acquiesced and waved the shipping.

Its been a year now. And for the most part the door opener has worked well since the sender was replaced. It still balks when it gets really cold (I think that the grease becomes too viscous) which makes me think the original drive assembly might have been okay, but too cold. The little keyring controller was really handy for those days when I biked into work until it fell apart one day.


:beer:

 

[Sluggo]

Easiest way to deal with the sensor eyes is to tape them together with electrical tape and stick them in the attic above the door opener. That way you can still daredevil the garage door as God intended.

If you bought a Genie Accelerator door opener, be forewarned that on some of those they quit working about every 4-6 weeks and you have to unplug the unit and let it reset itself. And it goes without saying that it only does this on cold/rainy days.

 

[Slickone]

How do you deal with the spring tension when removing an old one and when installing a new one?

I have an Overhead Door opener that was installed when my house was built in '98, which works OK, but is way too loud. At least once a year, it quits working and I have to unplug/replug it. I think possibly from lightening. I also had to play with the sensitivity settings a lot to get it the collision detection (?) halfway working. It still takes too hard of a blow before it opens back up, but any more sensitive and it won't close normally.

I would like to replace it but hate to throw it away since it works. I want one of the Wayne Dalton iDrive openers, but they told me it only works with one of their doors. They're super quiet and fast. Also I think they'd be easier to install by yourself since it doesn't have a spring.

 

[iamwiz82]

Spring tension on the opener? There isn't one. You don't have to mess with the door at all, other than attaching the arm that moves it.

 

[joecool]

it's not difficult, but as many have said, it is time consuming and several steps require two people. i'd say $120 to put it up is a bargain, if you've got it!