Replacing Overhead Door brand garage door opener with which size, type and brand ?

[bamx2]

I need to replace the 25+ yr old dying Overhead Door brand 1/2 hp chain drive opener operates an 18 foot wooden door. The old unit looks much more heavy duty than anything I see in the home improvement stores, I am thinking that I should be looking for a 3/4 hp model chain drive unit ( most because chains are tried and true and am am a little apprehnsive usinga blet belts with a heavy door ) and most it would likely by a Chamberlain model .

Yes I have read a similiar previous thread here on garage door openers but want some suggestions for my situation - Thanks

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2413445&highlight=opener&page=2

 

[TheSlamma]

What brand is the old opener? if it's a Craftsman, Chamberlain or liftmaster then I'll bet all you need a $25 gear kit and the thing will go at least another decade.

Do you know how to test if your door is balanced? most of the time the reason a door seems heavy and is tearing up your opener is because the door is not balanced, that can either be from springs that need to be replaced, cranked up a bit or that have snapped.

The torsion springs do 90%+ of the work of lifting a door, I also have an 18 foot wide 290lb wood door and I can open it with one hand, leave it at any point and it will stay there. That is how a properly sprung and balanced door should be, at that point a 1/2 hp opener is plenty. Also do not attempt to change your own springs, easy way to get really hurt if you do not know what you are doing.

If you really do have to change the opener it just depends on how much you want to spend and if noise is a factor for you. Belt drive Chaimberlins are one of the safest bets, I'm not really a genie fan, if you want top of the line and money isn't an issue the direct drive Somers are insanely quiet and are lifetime warranty. but if your door is not balanced all openers no matter how strong the motor will wear it down.


http://chamberlain.custhelp.com/app...60/~/how-to-test-the-balance-of-a-garage-door

 

[shabby]

Ya what exactly is dying with the opener? The gear kits can easily be found on ebay, they're plastic so its the first thing that always fail's.
If the torsion springs haven't been replaced in 25 years i would replace them, and while the guy is replacing them he can balance the door for you.

 

[bamx2]

The currently installed is opener is the Overhead Door brand (model Eagle 1000 1/2 HP.) The mechanical workings (gears) are functioning OK. However, there is something wrong electrically that I cannot find (bad relay or something) by simply removing the cover and checking/ cleaning conections. Failiure intermitted using wire or remote activation. There is probably a burned or dirty contact deep inside but it appears that I cannot can get to without removing the unit and taking it apart. We are down to one working original remote . The opener has been operating a 18X7 wooden door for at least 25 years and I am ready replace it with unit that has better safety features, brand new rolling code remotes, and outdoor keypad .

Good advice about the torsion springs.They are not broken but is not quite so easy to lift . They do need be looked at (and adjusted and/or replaced ).

So back to my OP Topic " Replacing Overhead Door brand garage door opener with which size, type and brand ?

- Thanks

 

[boomerang]

The currently installed is opener is the Overhead Door brand (model Eagle 1000 1/2 HP.) The mechanical workings (gears) are functioning OK. However, there is something wrong electrically that I cannot find (bad relay or something) by simply removing the cover and checking/ cleaning conections. Failiure intermitted using wire or remote activation. There is probably a burned or dirty contact deep inside but it appears that I cannot can get to without removing the unit and taking it apart. We are down to one working original remote . The opener has been operating a 18X7 wooden door for at least 25 years and I am ready replace it with unit that has better safety features, brand new rolling code remotes, and outdoor keypad .

Good advice about the torsion springs.They are not broken but is not quite so easy to lift . They do need be looked at (and adjusted and/or replaced ).

So back to my OP Topic " Replacing Overhead Door brand garage door opener with which size, type and brand ?

- Thanks

You had it right. 3/4 HP with chain drive. Even with the springs adjusted to perfectly counterbalance the door, you need the power for that initial lift. The springs lose tension over time and that initial lift puts more strain on the opener. Want proof? Your door is now harder to open than it used to be.

My wife managed a garage door company for over 20 years. She's sitting on the lanai right now and I asked what opener should a guy get with an 18' wood door. She replied "a 3/4 HP LiftMaster chain drive with a one piece rail".

I guess I learned a thing or two being married to her all these years. And you had it all figured out. :thumbsup:

 

[bamx2]

Ok I think that I will go with the 3/4 HP chain drive opener. I have been looking around on the web about garage door torsion springs and it seems that adjusting >10 year old springs is iffy (they often break). The spring on my door are probably original 40 years old and probably way beyone their predicted life cycle. I don't see the torsion spring replacement as a DIY project for me. So now, I have the open and springs to replace ( pro intalled - $700.00) Now, I am wondering if I should replace everything as many of my neighbors have done (door system and opener). This seems to have gone from a $ 200 diy project to a pro installed $1,600-$2,000 project (depending on the door selected). It may be that time