Garage door opener installation

[s219]

View attachment 404083

Is this what you mean as jack shaft operator?

Yes -- that looks like the same model I have, a Liftmaster 8500 (formerly the 3800 model I believe). I had a 3800 at my last house for many years and it was great. Bought a two-pack of the newer 8500 openers for our new home. These are so much simpler and compact than the overhead openers, I am surprised how much of a secret they tend to be.

 

[Xfaxman]

View attachment 404083

Is this what you mean as jack shaft operator?

Yep, Lift Master calls it "Wall Mount". https://www.liftmaster.com/For-Homes/Garage-Door-Openers/Elite-Series/model-8500

 

[yelbike]

Yes -- that looks like the same model I have, a Liftmaster 8500 (formerly the 3800 model I believe). I had a 3800 at my last house for many years and it was great. Bought a two-pack of the newer 8500 openers for our new home. These are so much simpler and compact than the overhead openers, I am surprised how much of a secret they tend to be.

I have normal openers on my other two doors same series though. Battery back up, belt driven with soft start and stop. Awesome really. Good match with the horman doors.

 

[the old grind]

This 8' wood door has been here for >40 yrs, tho the opener could be as young as 20. (Y'can see I run the chain too loose. No defense of that. )
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VpfwpR7/0/L/i-VpfwpR7-L.jpg

Motorbike blocks the view of the manual lift handle (one hinge in from the far right side), which can be used with no fuss every time I'm 'down' to re-lube or replace the plastic gear in the opener (Craftsman/Chamberlain, gear lasts 8-10 yrs).

The door must have been installed right since it never occurred to me that lift NRG had to be centered in the door. (not to worry, guys. A lot of life's lessons have somehow slipped by me....)

 

[Oldpath05]

I have a 12x12 insulated over head door with LiftMaster 8500, While the door was down, I was trying to adjust the door by loosening a cable drum so it would set down on the floor level, and get some slack out of the cable, sooo the (Cable Tension Monitor) would let the door down, then all of a sudden, both torsion springs became unwound, yea that was a surprise moment. Now does anyone know how many (full) turns each spring takes, I didn't really want to mess with springs, but Santa just sent me his bill$$$ so I want to save $300.00 by not hiring a door Co. to fix it, but if I have to I have to

 

[aczlan]

It depends on the weight of your door and the strength of the springs. I would wind the cables up all the way, put the door up, hook the cables on, run it down, then repeat until you can lift the door with one hand.

Aaron Z

 

[Xfaxman]

It depends on the weight of your door and the strength of the springs. I would wind the cables up all the way, put the door up, hook the cables on, run it down, then repeat until you can lift the door with one hand.


Aaron Z

I don't think you can put the door up without spring tension.

I ground the ends of two pieces of rebar to make adjusting tools, but I had a 8x16 door, don't know if a 12x12 would be heavier.

Hiring it done might be cheaper than the medical bills if something goes wrong.

 

[Oldpath05]

Just to update one small detail, the door is down and it must weigh 300 lbs. because I cant budge it.

 

[kc5dlo]

Be VERY careful and make sure you understand your system before attempting to tension the springs yourself. I have changed springs before and replaced a storm damaged 12x12 once. It is very dangerous. I would consider finding a pro to not only tension the springs, but also adjust the door to fix the problem you were originally trying to fix.

 

[Bird]

Hiring it done might be cheaper than the medical bills if something goes wrong.

Yep. I've installed 3 garage door openers in my younger days, but the one I have now was installed by a professional that I paid.