New Garage Door Opener

[intrepid27]

Need to replace old garage door opener. Considering belt drive.
Anyone have any experience with this type? How was installation?

Any model or brand recommendations? I do not need battery back-up, nor cell phone link)

 

[clonebb]

Lift Master.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

What I've noticed:

screw drive - most expensive, easy to install, moderately noisy
chain drive - most durable and usually the cheapest, but the noisiest by far. Good for detached garage
belt drive - best deal imo, more expensive than chain drive, but much much quieter

I replaced my chain drive with a screw drive about 15 years ago (thinking that more expensive meant a better product) but I will switch to a belt drive for my next one.

As far as installation goes, it's not tricky, but get a friend to make it monumentally easier on yourself. If you are replacing two of them the second one will take half as long as the first one.

 

[1100011CS]

I have a chain drive Chamberlain, if you keep it greased it really isn't that noisy. I have attached garage and can barely hear it from inside when operating. Actually, I'm glad I can hear it a little so I know when my wife's coming home and the gf can sneak out the window

 

[Three4Cy]

I would go with a Liftmaster. Then, add the MyQ technology so you can open and close the garage door from your cell phone. Also, allows you to get alerts when the door opens and closes.

 

[flycy]

Belt drive installation is the exact same process as chain drive. I've had good luck with Chamberlain.

 

[flycy]

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[TruClone]

I have a chain drive Chamberlain, if you keep it greased it really isn't that noisy. I have attached garage and can barely hear it from inside when operating. Actually, I'm glad I can hear it a little so I know when my wife's coming home and the gf can sneak out the window

I managed a garage door company in the past. The chain should be self lubricated and not need greasing. If you have to use white lithium lubricant, otherwise you will drip grease on the door. This is pretty unsightly. Notice when you drive around and you will see some garage doors with a black line running down them. Most noise actually comes from the door hinges themselves needing lubricated. Also lubricate the springs as well, you will help extend their cycle life. Once again use a lubricant for garage doors. NEVER use WD-40 as it attracts dust.

 

[SpokaneCY]

REcently replace a 10-year old chain drive that made my house shake. Went to a belt drive and I hear absolutely NOTHING. Which is bad since the old unit gave me about 45 seconds warning when my wife came home.

 

[CyCloned]

my belt drive Chamberlain quit working last week and I just got a Chamberlain chain drive to replace it because I didn't want to F&*^& around with the safety sensors being wired a different way in my minus 8 below garage. Seems to work okay.

I found the suggestion to lubricate the spring interesting. Never thought about doing that, but it makes sense on a torsion spring that is turning. My old opener hated the cold weather, and would refuse to close the door in below zero weather. I'm assuming it has something to do with the door not wanting to move like the rest of us.

 

[brianhos]

Lift Master.

That is what we got, I really like the alerts I get on my phone when the door is opened. Did not think it would matter, but nice knowing when the kids get home.

 

[wxman1]

I put in two Chamberlain belt drives a few months ago and have been very happy with them.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Liftmaster and Sears models are both Chamberlains. I have the Chamberlain belt and it's a pretty smooth running unit.

 

[IceCyIce]

Tell the kids to get out and lift the door up manually like we used to do.

 

[alarson]

I would go with a Liftmaster. Then, add the MyQ technology so you can open and close the garage door from your cell phone. Also, allows you to get alerts when the door opens and closes.

I love the myQ functions, but its kind of ****** that unlike most other smart home devices they blocked some of the the home-grown integrations that were out there and now charge you if you want to integrate with other smart-home things like IFTTT

 

[CloneLawman]

Liftmaster and Sears models are both Chamberlains. I have the Chamberlain belt and it's a pretty smooth running unit.

I've got the Craftsman version--really smooth. Shop smart- shop S-Mart.

 

[tigershoops31]

I've got the Craftsman version--really smooth. Shop smart- shop S-Mart.

My wife and I replaced ours with this Chamberlain on our own a week ago and it was pretty simple to do. It's a lot quieter than the old chain one was, and really like the wifi part of it to know when the kids leave the door open.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Chamberlain-0-5-Belt-Drive-Garage-Door-Opener-with-Built-In-WiFi/1000276739

 

[bugs4cy]

Chamberlain Whisper Drive. Wait for Home Depot sale. Life is good.