There are many brands of garage door, or overhead door, openers available in the Atlanta area. Some can be purchased at local home improvement stores for do it your self installation. We are always happy to provide installation services for openers purchased locally, as well. Most openers offered by professional companies differ slightly from store version in construction, but are very similar. If you have specific questions about our products or services, please contact us for more information including pricing and scheduling.

• Garage Door Opener Drive Types

Most garage door opener manufacturers offer several different drive types on their openers. Chain, screw, and belt driven openers being the most common types, although there are more varieties available. Typically, chain drive openers are the least expensive, followed by the screw drive and belt drive openers.

• Basic 1/3 HP Model Garage Door Openers

The least expensive openers are in this category. 1/3 HP garage door openers are typically installed for use with smaller, lighter garage doors. Most manufacturers offer different drive types (for example, a chain or belt driven opener), along with a 1/3, 1/2, or 3/4 HP motor. Typically, most companies will offer a chain driven, 1/3 HP garage door opener as the basic model. Other drive types, belt or screw drive, are usually a step up in price from a chain drive model with the same strength motor.

• 1/2 HP and 3/4 HP Garage Door Openers

For home owners with a 2 car wide garage door, or heavier wooden doors, a stronger motor is a must have. The same options are usually available, with these types of openers offering chain, belt, and screw driven units. A typical, premium priced, opener will usually be a 3/4 HP, belt driven variety. 1/2 and 3/4 HP models will usually offer better motor and hardware warranties than the 1/3 HP models. For example, LiftMaster’s 3/4 HP Belt drive opener comes with a lifetime warranty on the belt and motor.

• Opener Accessories

With the wide range of options available in opener accessories, it bears mentioning that all the bells and whistles can have an impact on price. Some options available include battery backups, upgraded remotes and keypads, and even devices that remember to shut your door for you.

The following instructions are for programming a Genie garage door opener intellicode remote. If you have an older model Genie opener you may need to follow a slightly different procedure.  These instructions should also allow you to clear all the programming codes from your opener. Clearing the codes from the opener’s receiver is the only way to disable a lost remote.

Make sure to keep everyone, including pets, out of the path of the garage door when programming a remote or keypad.

1. Locate the “learn” button on the opener. The location of the learn button is dependant upon the model opener. It can typically be found under the light cover. The learn button will have a small indicator light next to it.
2. Press and release the learn button
3. Press and release the button on the remote.
4. Press and release the button on the remote once again.

That’s it. The remote should be able to operate the opener at this point. Repeat these steps for any additional remotes or buttons you may wish to program.

To clear all existing codes from the receiver:

1. Press and hold the learn button on the opener for 10 seconds, or until the indicator light goes out.

Clearing the codes will erase all programming from the receiver. This feature is useful if  a remote has been lost, or if you wish to disable any old remotes or keypads. After clearing the codes,  remotes or keypads will need reprogramming.

Many of our Atlanta area customers have come to us for advice on programming remotes and keypads. We’ll always be happy to answer any questions or help with any problems,  but the following steps will allow you to re-program after changing the batteries, or clear all the old codes and start over. We recommend reading over all the instructions to see which method will work best for your situation. Click here for a printable version of these instructions.

The steps for programming your opener’s remote and keyless entry can vary for different models and brands. Many openers will allow for programming from the wall button, as well as from the opener.

Method #1 – With a step ladder to reach the opener. You’ll need to locate the “Learn” button on the opener, under the light cover. It’s usually a square button with a tiny LED next to it.

Both methods described here simply add to the codes already in use for the opener. In order to clear all the old codes from previous remotes/keypads you’ll need to press and hold the Learn button for about 6 seconds. The indicator light next to the Learn button will go out. Then follow the directions below to re-program any remotes or keypads to be used.

Method #1 – With a step ladder to reach the opener.

There are three basic steps when programming a remote:

1. Press and release the “Learn” button on the opener.

2. Press and HOLD the button on the remote

3. Wait for the light bulbs in the opener to flash, and release the remote’s button. If there are no light bulbs on the opener, you should hear one or two clicks.

Programming a keyless entry is basically the same as a remote. We just need to enter the PIN before pressing Enter on the keyless entry/keypad.

1. Press and release the Learn button on the opener

2. Enter your desired 4-digit PIN, and HOLD Enter.

3. Wait for the light bulbs on the opener to flash, and release the Enter button. If there are no light bulbs on the opener, you should hear one or two clicks.

Method #2 – With Multi-Function Door Control

Since both of these methods require the use of a ladder to reach the Learn button, LiftMaster has provided an alternative way to program remotes using the keyless entry and the wall button. In order to use this method, you must have two people and a multi-function wall button (one that allows you to turn the opener lights off and on).

1. Enter your 4-digit PIN into your keyless entry, and HOLD Enter.

2. The second person will press and hold the Light button on the wall button.

3. While still holding the buttons, press and hold the remote’s button until the opener lights flash. If there are no light bulbs on the opener, you’ll hear one or two clicks.

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]]> http://curbappealcsi.com/liftmaster-craftsman-and-chamberlain-garage-door-openers-how-to-program-a-remote/feed/ 0 http://curbappealcsi.com/is-your-garage-door-opener-leaving-your-home-unsecured/ http://curbappealcsi.com/is-your-garage-door-opener-leaving-your-home-unsecured/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 00:44:59 +0000 admin http://curbappealcontracting.com/wordpress/?p=94 Many people have had their garage door openers for 10 years, or more. What they may not realize is that it offers a discrete and easy access point for anyone with a laptop and a remote transmitter. Take a look at the following video to see just how easy it is.

Everything is pretty simple. The remote used in the video is one of the most common older models in use. Many different brands used the same technology as this one. Most of these units are over 10 years in age, but there are plenty still in use out there. Code cracking software is easily obtained by anyone with an internet connection.

The people in these homes may not realize their door is going up or down. Even worse, people in the home may hear it opening, but dismiss the event as a family member arriving home. Using a method like this, an intruder could enter and exit your home without your knowledge.

You can still protect your home with a few common sense measures. Always keep the door from the garage to the interior of your home locked. This should be something everyone does at night and when away. Since your remote is usually clipped to the visor, make sure to lock the car when parking in the driveway. It may also be time to consider a new opener if yours is outdated.  Newer models usually have more up to date security and safety features.

In order to determine whether or not your model is using old school technology, take a look at the manual that came with it. (Many manufacturers offer an online version of their owner’s manuals.) Make sure it has some type of “rolling code” technology. For example, LiftMaster brand units use Security+ rolling code technology. Any models with this newer type of remote control will not open using the system used in the video. Most other manufacturers will have a similar technology in their models.

If you do have an older model garage door opener, you may consider replacing it. They can usually be installed professionally starting at around $250, or can be purchased at a local retail store. If you do decide to start shopping, prepare to be impressed by the abundance of motor sizes, drive types, warranties, and various types of accessories that are available. You may want to call a few reputable installers in your area to get an idea about which of the many types would be right for you. Most companies will provide you with an idea about pricing over the phone, as well.

Even if you can’t afford to replace your old opener, there are still steps you can take to make the garage more secure. Some models have a “Lock” function which blocks any remotes or keyless entry from being used. Enabling this option will cause nothing but the wall button to function.  Worst case you can always dis-engage the motor. Usually this is accomplished by pulling the red cord that hangs overhead.  Just remember to lock and unlock your keylock on the garage door, especially before re-engaging and using the opener again. If you don’t have any kind of manual lock available, a simple lock for this purpose can be purchased at most hardware stores. Of course, last but not least, always keep the door from the garage into your home locked.