Certainly, garage door openers make your life much easier. They allow you to open or close your garage door from a safe distance. To do it, you don’t need to get out of the car. Just press a button and the garage door will move automatically.
Many people prefer to leave the installation of their new garage doors in professional hands. However, installation costs are quite high in some cases. So, if your budget is short, you better learn how to do it yourself.
In this article you’ll learn how to install a garage door opener in simple and easy to understand steps. In addition, you’ll find a list with the different items that you can find in most installation kits.
Click Here to Learn: Which Garage Door Openers are Best?
What is Garage Door Opener?
A garage door opener is an electromechanical device that allows you to open or close a garage door from a safe distance. You can control all the main functions of the opener from a remote control or a panel installed inside the garage.
Types of Garage Door Opener
Depending on the mechanism they use, garage door openers are classified as:
- DC-powered
- Direct-drive
- Jackshaft-drive
- Screw-drive
- Belt-drive
- Chain-drive
1. DC-Powered
DC-powered devices use small motors powered by lithium batteries. These motors rotate much faster than AC-powered motors and generate much less friction and wear. Therefore, they don’t need as much maintenance as other devices.
2. Direct Drive
Direct-drive openers are the quieter ones. They’re ideal for very heavy garage doors, due to their superior lifting power. They use very powerful engines, so, their price is quite high in contrast to other openers.
3. Jackshaft Drive
Jackshaft-drive operators use a motor directly connected to the torque bar of the door. They’re usually installed to the right or left of the garage door. Some include a locking mechanism that protects the garage door from being forced.
4. Screw Drive
Screw-drive openers use a long threaded bar that moves a trolley through a rail. When the trolley moves in a certain direction, the garage door opens or closes. They’re very easy to install and don’t require too much maintenance.
5. Chain Drive
Chain-drive openers use chains to transmit engine rotation to the garage door. If the chain is strong, the device can withstand a long time without maintenance. This type of opener is very quiet and generates low vibration.
6. Belt Drive
Belt-drive devices work in the same way as chain-drive openers. However, instead of chains, they use reinforced rubber belts. From time to time, it’s necessary to replace the belt, because it tends to lengthen with use.
Garage Door Opener Installation Kit List
Depending on the brand and model, the content of garage door opener installation kits may vary. However, most of them include some basic elements like:
- Mounting brackets
- Fasteners
- Engine
- Belt or chain
- Remote control
- Control panel (optional)
- Rail (optional)
Step by Step DIY Guide to Install Garage Door Opener
The installation process of garage door openers isn’t the same in all cases. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take a look at the user manual before getting down to work. Below, you’ll find a basic step-by-step guide to learn how to install a belt-drive opener.
- First of all, verify that the installation kit is complete. Count each of the pieces if necessary. If something is missing, call the seller immediately and demand a return or shipping of the missing part.
- After that, start to build the rail. You’ll need a nut wrench to secure the three segments that make up the rail.
- Then, install the stop bolt and the outer and inner trolleys. The stop bolt prevents that the rail comes out through the free end of the rail.
- Attach the pulley to the end of the rail.
- Then, attach the rail to the motor. After that, fix the back stop bolt in place.
- Install the belt around the pulley. The belt pattern must fit the engine’s drive sprocket. Make sure to join the free ends of the belt with a chain link. Finally, release the tension spring.
- After that, fix the header bracket in place. Make sure the bracket’s bottom is two inches above the highest point of travel of the garage door.
- With a safety ring and a steel pin, join the free end of the rail with the header bracket.
- Then, install the motor brackets. After that, attach the motor to the brackets and verify the rail is perfectly horizontal with a bubble level.
- Fix the door bracket in place.
- After that, start installing the sensors. They should go to each side of the garage door, six inches above the floor level.
- Then, connect the cables of the sensors to the motor.
- Connect the motor to the power source.
- Join the trolley with the garage door with the trolley arm.
Conclusion
Certainly, installing a garage door opener can seem a little complicated. However, if you follow each of the steps in this DIY guide, you have nothing to worry about. Make sure you have all the required tools at hand before beginning the installation. Also verify that all necessary parts are included in the installation kit.
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