Old, Old Garage Door Opene



Question:
I have an old, old Chamberlain garage door opener that's been in place since about 1980, I'm guessing (before I bought the place). It works just fine, but keeping the remote-control transmitters in operation has been a major challenge, and the other day I think I lost the battle. I tried but failed to get a Clicker brand replacement transmitter (made by Chamberlain) to work. My unit is not among those it's supposed to be compatible with. Chamberlain also makes a "universal" kit with a new receiver and transmitter, but the package pointedly states it's not for units made before 1982. What is it about units made before 1982? Nobody in the business wants to service my old unit, they just want to sell me a new one - I assume because a new safety standard went into effect then. Are they really concerned for my safety, or their liability? In other words, it is truly unsafe to keep using this apparently perfectly good unit? It doesn't have a safety beam, but it does back up when it meets resistance, and my neighborhood is not exactly crawling with kitties (or kiddies). It seems a shame to replace this thing that's working just fine. Is there any trick I can use to make a new transmitter work? It seems like such a simple thing, just sending a signal to the unit. Thanks, anybody, for whatever light you can shed.

Answer:
There is an easy solution to this problem. Your garage door opener can be opened two ways, by pushing a doorbell-like button on a wall somewhere or by using the remote control. Your remotes are problematic so the natural inclination is to replace the remotes or the receiver. However, there is a product on the market that will allow you to convert the doorbell-like pushbutton on the wall into a remote receiver/transmitter. Along with a new, modern remote control this set-up will solve the problem nicely. Here's one version of the device. http://www.automaticdoorman.com/upgrade.html Aside from the two horshoe like wire ends that attach in place of the pushbutton wires on your opener no other part of this unit connects to the opener. It is mounted on a wall or ceiling near an electrical outlet. As for the safety issue, I understand the reluctance of some contractors to work on such an old unit. Usually those repairs aren't completely successful on the first visit and it can be a real pain to have to come back for free to repair the same problem again and again. And, yes the codes have changed and the seeing eye is now mandatory for new units. In addition, there isn't much profit in coming out for a $50 job, repair techs want more profitable work.





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