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Garage door opener replacement questions (self.homeimprovement)

submitted 1 year ago by dirthawker0 to c/homeimprovement

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I think some electronics in the motor have gone kaput. The wall mounted button works, but I have 2 remotes and neither works. (I did change the battery on one as well as try to re-pair it with the motor, to no avail.)

My options are to replace the circuit board ($125) or buy a new motor unit ($199). The original motor is a Liftmaster and the lift is a belt; it's probably about 20 years old. The cost of a new motor unit is not hugely more than the circuit board and I would get additional features like a battery backup.

If I go for a new unit will it work with the existing belt? I'm looking at a basic 1/2hp Chamberlain. Thanks!

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[–] SheeEttin 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If you're going to work on your garage door yourself, remember that those springs have a hell of a lot of tension. You accidentally let one of them loose, and they'll have enough force to gravely injure you.

[–] dack 4 points 1 year ago

There's no need to touch the springs at all when replacing the opener. But this is still an excellent PSA. Garage door springs will seriously mess you up before you even know what happened. I've replaced them before, but you definitely need the right tools and procedures to do it safely. I would definitely advise against it unless you have experience.

[–] dirthawker0 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks. Not going near the springs. I've seen many posts where people want to replace them themselves and everyone advises against it. I've worked on the motor unit before - the gears (nylon I think) had gotten chewed up somehow and I replaced them.