Garage door opener

[loosegoose]

What is the best brand and type of 1/2 hp garage door opener to buy. I have a 1/2 hp sears chain drive that just crapped out on me and I need a replacement. My doors are extension spring not torsion spring if that matters.

[lawdog]

I would just make sure you stay away from the screw drives, the chains are generally better.

I have two Craftsman openers now and have had three in the past all have worked well without problems.

[efgh]

I would like to suggest that you buy a commerencal heave duty garage door opener. I went thru 5 of them in the last 30m years on a 8 by 18 foot door. I now have a com. one, they cost twice as much, but are worth it.

[MuskieJunkie]

I would stay away from those screw drives too. I installed one hit the button and you could see metal shavings flying out of it, it never worked right. I called the manufacturer and they said "oh thats common, we'll send you a new one" got it a few days later put it in, did the same thing. I then threw all of the peices in the garbage and bought a chamberlin belt drive. I put in 5 of those (rental properties) a few years ago and have had very good luck with them.

[IFallsRon]

I put in a Chamberlain Whisper Drive and really like it. Only problem I've ever had is with the safety sensors getting knocked out of alignment.

[BoxMN]

Have two Chamberlains, chain drive 1/2 hp, and they both work great. My openers work on my Mom/Dad's and my brothers, so that is cool. It is the Security PLUS or something like that. You can't program them with older openers even from Chamberlain, so I guess that is cool - you need the Security openers.

I think I just saw them for about $150 or so locally in Twin cities. I think I paid $150 each, and $100 each to have them installed about 6 years ago.

Also, if you haven't seen the yet, all brands have the little key chain opener with three buttons. Best thing since sliced bread, and only about $30 at Menards. I love mine

[bottomdweller]

Have three chamberlains. One is 9by16, they work just fine, going on five years now not one problem. (knock on wood)

[brian6715]

Yeah if your garage door is adjusted right and the spring tension is correct a chamberlain opener should last forever,no need to go commercial. They are hands down the best on the market! I have installed basically every brand, and now won't install anything but a chamberlain!

Another note, it's not recommended but if those sensors drive you to the brink of insanity, you can always move them to above the opener unit itself and just point them right at eachother about a foot apart, problem solved... but only do this if you don't care if you have the safety features the sensors offer

[Bjjams]

I would definetly stay away from Genie. I have 2 friends that have new ones and they sound like a locomotive when the door gets opened.

[Nelso]

My 1/2 horse craftsman kicked the bucket two weeks ago, I replaced with a 3/4 horse craftsman chain drive(red in color). It is a night and day difference in the how quiet this one is compared to the old one. The old one was 10 years old. the new one also has square tubing for a rail instead of the old T-bar rail. There seems to be more support in the square tubing rail-less flexing. It was a little pricier than the 1/2 horse, $190 after tax.

[loosegoose]

Thanks for the input. I replaced it with another Craftsman 1/2 hp chain drive model. That came with the square tubing instead of the T style rail too but I couldn't use it due to limited head room above the rail. I unbolted the T rail from the old unit and connected it to the new unit and it works very well. Finally a project that didn't need a bunch of modifications to get the new stuff to work.

[Justfishing]

I replaced several a couple of years ago. I think there are just to maker of GDO's. Chain drives are less expensive and noiseier. I installed Chamberlain belt drive models. They are quietier than a chan drive. The belt is steel reenforced like a tire and has a lifetime gaurantee. I have been happy with them.

When you are looking get everything in one box. So if you want 2 openers and a outside remote get it as a kit and not individually.