Garage Door Opener “How-to” Installation

Please find below the general guidelines on how to install a garage door opener. Those are general guidelines since garage opener installation manuals are specific to the model and brand of the manufacturer. These are but guidelines to give you an idea of what entails installing a garage opener, this will help you decide if you want to undertake that project or at the very least, understand what an installer will be doing. The information in this installation guide have been furnished by the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and is based on the installation of a Stanley garage opener. Other manufacturers will have different installation instructions specific to their various respective models. Always refer to the manufacturer’s owner’s manual for your garage door opener model.

FIG.1 – The components of a garage door opener.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• There are three basic types of garage door openers: 1) chain-driven, 2) belt-driven, and 3) screw-driven. This document covers installation for a chain-drive opener.
• The most important consideration when installing a garage door opener is safety. Please observe the following precautions:

Before Installation:

• Make sure your garage door is well-lubricated and operating properly. The weight of a garage door is supported by the door springs, cables, and pulleys–not the opener. If you can’t raise and lower the door normally by hand, do not install the opener until the door is repaired.
• Never alter or remove the door’s springs, cables, or pulleys. Doors with torsion springs (a single coil above the door) should only be serviced by qualified service technicians.
• Remove all ropes or cords attached to the garage door so you won’t get tangled in them during installation.
• Deactivate or remove all existing garage door locks, so they won’t accidentally engage and either damage the opener or cause personal injury.
• Do not wear rings, watches, or loose clothing while installing or servicing a garage door or opener.
• Reinforce lightweight fiberglass or metal garage doors before installing an opener to prevent damage to the door and insure that the safety reverse system will operate properly.

During Installation:

• Install the power unit high enough that tall people won’t run into it–at least 7′ from the floor if possible.
• Garage door openers have a manual disconnect cord; it should be adjusted to approximately 6′ from the floor so any adult can reach it.
• If you need to install permanent electrical wiring, always disconnect the power at the main breaker box before attempting to wire connections. Always connect the power cord of the garage door opener to a properly grounded outlet to avoid electrical shock.
• Install the push-button control 5′ from the floor so small children cannot reach it and in a location where anyone operating it can easily see the garage door.
• Always adjust the safety reverse system and the electric eye system properly. Refer to your opener manufacturer’s instructions for details.

After Installation:

• Never let children operate or play with the opener. Keep the radio transmitter in a location inaccessible to children.
• Never pass under a moving garage door.
• Operate the door only when it is visible, and free of any obstructions.
• Check the safety reverse system and the electric eye once a month, and readjust it if necessary. Periodically check the manual operation of the door.
• If possible, use the manual disconnect only when the door is fully closed. The opener will not carry the weight of the door, and if the springs are weak or broken, disconnecting it could cause the door to fall.
• Always disconnect electrical power to the opener when servicing the unit or working close to the drive chain or other moving parts.
• If you see damage to any part of the opener, don’t use it until it has been repaired by a qualified service technician. Never operate the door if the safety system is not functioning properly.

FIG.3 – Connect the chain to the traveler, loop it around through the drive sprocket and idler assembly, then back to the traveler on the other side.

FIG.4 – Mount the idler assembly to the header bracket above the garage door per the manufacturer’s instructions.

FIG.5 – Mounting the power unit to 2x4s nailed between exposed ceiling joists.

FIG.6 – If the garage ceiling is finished, fasten a 1×6 across three ceiling joists, and mount the power unit to it.

FIG.2 – Run the chain from the traveler (above), then through the sprocket on the idler assembly and back to the traveler (above right).

INSTALLNG THE OPENER

• Before you install a garage door opener, familiarize yourself with the parts of the assembly (FIG.1). To install a garage door opener, first insert the tube into the power unit. Slide the traveler onto the tube, then mount the idler assembly on the end of the tube. Position the traveler as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Connect the chain to the traveler, then loop it through the drive sprocket on the power unit (FIG.2), around through the idler assembly, and back to the other end of the traveler (FIG.3). The traveler must be positioned according to the manufacturer’s specifications, and the chain must be tensioned properly.
• Locate the center point of the garage door, and mount the header bracket at that point, at the specified distance above the door. Connect the idler assembly to the bracket with the power unit sitting on the floor (FIG.4). Raise the power unit high enough to clear the door when it is open, and set it on a stepladder or other prop.
• Raise the door to the full open position, and adjust the height of the power unit with boards or other shims, so it is the specified distance above the door.
• Mount the power unit to the ceiling with the steel angle and mounting straps provided. If the ceiling joists are parallel to the door (FIG.5), nail 2x4s between two joists and fasten the power unit to it. Otherwise, fasten directly to the joists.
• If the ceiling is finished (typically with gypsum wallboard), fasten a 1×6 through the drywall and into the ceiling joists with lag screws (FIG.6).

FIG.8 – The linkage assembly connects the traveler to the door. It consists of a bar link, an L-link and a door bracket.

FIG.9 – Center the door bracket on the garage door, positioned as specified in the installation instructions.

FIG.10 – Lightweight garage doors must be reinforced with steel angle to avoid damaging the door and to allow the safety reverse system to work properly.

FIG.7 – The power unit is generally mounted so the tube is at a slight upward angle from the power unit to the header bracket.

CONNECTING THE OPENER

• Once the power unit is mounted, open and close the garage door manually to make sure the door travels freely (FIG.7). The top edge should clear the tube by the distance specified by the manufacturer (typically 1″). Be careful not to hit the traveler when you raise the door.
• Attach the linkage assembly to the traveler (FIG.8–the linkage assembly consists of a straight bar link, an L-shaped link and the door bracket). Pull the disconnect cord to disconnect the door from the opener.
• Fasten the door bracket so it is centered on the door. The center of the bracket (where the L-link is attached) should be the manufacturer’s specified distance from the top of the door, usually 3″ to 6″ (FIG.9). On lightweight steel or fiberglass doors, install reinforcing angles (FIG.10) and fasten the door brackets to the angle. Remove the original lock from the door.
• Mount the push-button control in a convenient location on the garage wall, 5′ from the floor and within easy sight of the door. Run the push-button wire up the wall and along the ceiling to the power unit, fastening it with electrical wire staples. Be careful not to staple through the wire. Connect the wire to the power unit.
• Placement and adjustment of the electric eye system are critical for maximum safety and proper operation. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully. If you have any questions, refer to your owner’s manual for a telephone number or a Web site for additional information.
• If necessary, install an electrical outlet in the ceiling near the power unit and run electrical power to it. ALWAYS TURN OFF THE POWER AT THE BREAKER BOX BEFORE WORKING WITH AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, and follow all safety procedures relevant to electrical work.
• The electrical outlet must be properly grounded. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET, CONTACT A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN.
• Re-engage the door with the opener. Adjust the safety reverse system according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then adjust the open position of the door.
• For added safety, especially around small children and pets, federal law now requires an electric eye be installed with all garage door openers. This eye will cause the closing action of the door to reverse if someone or something passes between the sensors.