Automatic Shop Door Openers

MRollins10 · Dec 18, 2019

Considering adding an automatic shop door opener to my 12x14 rollup. I spoke with Liftmaster and Chamberlain tech support. They both assured me that these new jackshaft direct drive openers are the best and most economical option. I know you guys are going to have plenty of input on this one. The RJO20 is the one they recommended and is good for up to 14 foot rollups.

Give me your insight please!

https://www.amazon.com/Chamberlain-...o20&qid=1576713165&sprefix=rjo,aps,163&sr=8-1

Industrial Toys · Dec 18, 2019

I have one and two in the closet that I have been meaning to install on my new, now old building. Those will be for a twelve foot door.

The only issue I have is that I have little drop to my door due to low ceiling hight so I had to put in pusher springs, and that makes the door not useable in power failures as the opener has to push against the springs. You can get a back up battery module.

I think jackshaft openers are really cool.

JK22 · Dec 18, 2019

I have a commercial jackshaft unit waiting to be installed. One problem with those is that the shaft is usually cut too short for a jack shaft unit when the door is installed. I found an extension online, but it was a real PITA to install as either the jackshaft or the extension was out of spec. I had to grind down both before I finally got them to fit together.

ovrszd · Dec 18, 2019

Industrial Toys said:
The only issue I have is that I have little drop to my door due to low ceiling hight so I had to put in pusher springs, and that makes the door not useable in power failures as the opener has to push against the springs. You can get a back up battery module.

I'm slow, I don't understand this comment?

When the door comes in contact with the pusher spring it is only going to lack about 6" of vertical height of being all the way open. Are you consistently using that top 6"?

Barnbuilder · Dec 18, 2019

I've used the residential and commercial versions on my buildings. Only way to go. And do a high lift door for extra clearance

AllByteNoBark · Dec 18, 2019

I have the Liftmasters.on two doors.currently and they are good. We had them on our last house also. Fast, quiet and reliable.

Industrial Toys · Dec 18, 2019

There is virtually no drop to my track at all. And the jackshaft openers require the weight of the door to close it. So, once the helper spring has done it's thing, the door is starting to fall, so if you disengage the opener, when the door is open, it lets go of the door, pusher spring starts it closing and gravity does the rest.

I have all kinds of Diesel generators, but my last ditch back-up is an air cooled Yanmar, and it's a real treat to start in the shop with the door closed! I guess, I could leave the door open a few feet, with something propping it up, and direct the exhaust outside, but I never thought of that in the moment.

In fact, the door runs so close to the underside of the truss, that I had to notch one out and put an idler wheel to compensate for when sun is shinging on the dark door and it bows, catching underside of the truss!

Industrial Toys · Dec 18, 2019

Kind of a side note. Since I will be installing two of these openers on my shed. I am trying to figure out a way to remote the tempertature sensor on the control pad, so one reads indoor and the other outdoor temperature.

Oh, my beef about these openers is that it is equiped with yet another useless stupid clock that has to be reset after a power outage. If you are going to put a clock in something, at least let the end user shut it off if not wanted!

MRollins10 · Dec 18, 2019

Does anyone have pictures of these being used on rollup style doors? You know, the ones that wind up on a round drum type? Like this.

WranglerX · Dec 19, 2019

Industrial Toys said:
Kind of a side note. Since I will be installing two of these openers on my shed. I am trying to figure out a way to remote the tempertature sensor on the control pad, so one reads indoor and the other outdoor temperature.

Oh, my beef about these openers is that it is equiped with yet another useless stupid clock that has to be reset after a power outage. If you are going to put a clock in something, at least let the end user shut it off if not wanted!

OR provide battery backup like my in house thermostat and my sprinkler timers...

Dale