Uncle_Bob

I want to replace my current garage door openers. 1/2 hp screw drive genie garage door openers installed in 1997. The still work but have a tendency to spontaneous open themselves and for the lights to come on and stay on. Basically gremlins in the system, I've worked with Genie tech support with no joy. So I'm looking to replace them.

I notice many of the garage door companies are now offering belt drive 3/4 hp openers than will apparently open my garage door quicker than a 1/2 hp, allowing me to get to work quicker which will according to them lead to me getting a promotion

Anyone had an experience with belt drive openers? Any general recommendations? I've only had screw drive openers before, which i have to oil and they can get really loud.

lansbury

Not that it answers your question, but I have now discovered I have a screw drive door opener. It doesn't work how I thought it did. Now I'm concerned about all the time I've lost waiting for the door to open, and the seven years I didn't know I had to oil it.

Pulaski

I only discovered that last year myself, when the aluminum ( HungryHorace) "shoe" that grips the screw-rod wore out. Thankfully the new shoe only cost a few dollars, and took about 15 minutes to fit, but I'll tell you it's a dämn sight quieter now it's been greased!

Hotscot

I've got two belt ones. Martin brand, very quiet. Takes about....hold on I'll check...15 seconds to open/close completely.

Hotscot

Aluminum?

mikelincs

aluminium, please..

Guindalf

In Bournemouth, maybe (if you can find someone under 90!).

(I lived there for 2.5 years before I came over the pond).

sir_eccles

I'm guessing a large number of BE members now have new plans for the weekend?

lansbury

A search online tells me neither my local Lowes nor Home Depot have the Genie chain drive lubricant in stock. My Amazon order arrives Friday.

Apparently just putting oil on it can result in it dripping onto the car below, and the Genie stuff seems well recommended.

Pulaski

The "Genie stuff" is grease, not oil.

I had to order mine on line too, one packet containing three little tubes, each about the size of Neosporin antiseptic ointment tube, ..... which were delivered in a box approximately big enough for a London phone directory!
No, this is an American door opener, attached to an American door.

British chemist and inventor, Humphrey Davy, who worked extensively with compounds of aluminum, and who gave it its name, wrote in his 1812 book Chemical Philosophy:
Perhaps you could also start an international campaign to regularize the spelling of platinum?

RICH

I'm now thinking of building a Garage

md95065

I have found that an occasional squirt of a dry film PTFE lubricant seems to work pretty well.

Hotscot

I use some spray on stuff which works a treat.

Hotscot

What?

Yorkieabroad

I've got 2 1/2 hp chain drive. FIL was adamant I should get the builders to fit 3/4 hp as reckoned the 1/2s were too small, but they are now over 7 years old, and never had any trouble with them. Throw a bit of lithium grease (I think) at the chain when I think about it. Found out last year that the tension springs are supposed to be lubricated as well.....One of mine snapped, and the chappie that came to fix it advised me to spray them with WD40 once a month.....ooh, so I'm only about 84 months late then.....