automatic garage door openers

[Mike J]

Hi All
I am thinking about installing one of the above on my aged parent’s garage to save them having to get in and out of the car.
It will be on and up and over door!!!!
I don’t have a problem with fitting it and I can see how it will open and close the door, but as it will be on an existing door I can’t figure out how the door will be locked when closed. Does anyone out there have a retrofitted system that can enlighten me????
Ps any recommendations on units
Regards
Mike j

 

[jberks]

I fitted a kit on mine. Bought it at Whickes DIY a few years (6+) ago for around £100. Basically the problem doesn't exist.

The carriage attached to the door, travels along a track until the door is closed. There is then no way to force it back along the track (leverage, gearing etc all act against it) so it is effectively locked.

The only problem I had was that I have no side door, so I fitted an 'emergency release kit', which is basically a wire attached to the release handle on the carriage with a lock on the other end. Undo the lock and tug the wire and the carriage slides out of the way.

Quite impressed, never had a problem with it ever, and when I recently lost a remote, whilst they don't do that model any more, they were able to put me in touch with the importer who supplied a replacement. Not bad backup after 6+ years really.

Also - there is a socket for a light. Completely useless. Even a tough bulb failed after a few days with the vibration of the motor and a 60w bulb is hopeless in a double garage. So, I patched into the wiring, ran it into a mains relay and fed that into the garages lighting circuit, so when I open the door, 3 florescents and a 100w bulb come on instead of a single shaky 60w.

 

[davidsl500]

Wickes do a basic how to leaflet - mostly about selecting and fitting a garage door

http://media.venda.com/wickes/ebiz/wickes/images/gil/27.pdf

It is important to make sure that the present door is in good condition and is correctly adjusted - whatever position you open it to, it must stay put.

As JB states the mechanism itself stops the door being opened manually from outside and if inside you have to pull the emergency cord to release the door. I havent tried forcing the door to see how sturdy it is !

Interestingly, I did wonder how Insurance companies feel about remote doors - is your car kept overnight in a "locked" garage? err yes and no.

You also need to turn the garage door handle around 90 degrees so that it looks locked when it isnt - if you follow my drift.

I have a pair of Henderson Apertos and my lights work okay as they are on the stationary bit. Incidentaly the remote activation code changes each time the door is operated to prevent people "grabbing" the code as you drive up.

I am considering being flash with my doors. Being in the computer industry I am thinking about operating the doors another way. First idea is to use Mains X10 Gear - I can then ring my garage doors on my mobile and tell them to open ! (it also means I can throw deadlocks at the same time)

Alternatively, and extremely flash, is to mount a camera on the garage approach which takes a picture of the front of the car - OCR's the number plate and then compares the number plate with a stored picture of the car - if everything matches then the computer operates the remote.

I really must get out more....

 

[Ian Brown]

I have got a chamberlain 500 which is chain driven, it comes complete with 2 sun visor remotes 1 key pad remote and the emergency key and wire in case of power failure from B&Q the only problem was as J Berks says is the bulb doesn’t last long so I fitted a energy saver bulb and after 3 years it is still working.

 

[television]

Wickes do a basic how to leaflet - mostly about selecting and fitting a garage door

http://media.venda.com/wickes/ebiz/wickes/images/gil/27.pdf

It is important to make sure that the present door is in good condition and is correctly adjusted - whatever position you open it to, it must stay put.

As JB states the mechanism itself stops the door being opened manually from outside and if inside you have to pull the emergency cord to release the door. I havent tried forcing the door to see how sturdy it is !

Interestingly, I did wonder how Insurance companies feel about remote doors - is your car kept overnight in a "locked" garage? err yes and no.

You also need to turn the garage door handle around 90 degrees so that it looks locked when it isnt - if you follow my drift.

I have a pair of Henderson Apertos and my lights work okay as they are on the stationary bit. Incidentaly the remote activation code changes each time the door is operated to prevent people "grabbing" the code as you drive up.

I am considering being flash with my doors. Being in the computer industry I am thinking about operating the doors another way. First idea is to use Mains X10 Gear - I can then ring my garage doors on my mobile and tell them to open ! (it also means I can throw deadlocks at the same time)

Alternatively, and extremely flash, is to mount a camera on the garage approach which takes a picture of the front of the car - OCR's the number plate and then compares the number plate with a stored picture of the car - if everything matches then the computer operates the remote.

I really must get out more....

I think David in all fairness that it should check the tyre prints and do a headlamp check.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Alternatively, and extremely flash, is to mount a camera on the garage approach which takes a picture of the front of the car - OCR's the number plate and then compares the number plate with a stored picture of the car - if everything matches then the computer operates the remote.

I really must get out more...

You'll get in - but getting out might be a problem!

Standing outside your garage making impressions of your car so the computer will open the door and let you in! "Open the door Hal..."
Also, not sure I'd trust windows with my security!

 

[davidsl500]

"Open the door Hal..."
Also, not sure I'd trust windows with my security!

Well at least the the reply would be right - "I'm sorry but I cant do that Dave"

Hmm Microsoft running my garage door opening, maybe not such a good idea, door opens I drive in, windows blows out with a "stop error" and bounces the door off my head....

Then again if I use X10 then I could be standing outside on my mobile phone having an argument with my garage door...

I'll stick to the remote I think...

 

[Fandango]

Hmmm...better than Apple running your door opening, designed to look like the most excellent garage door in the world, but it takes you 4 hours to learn the intricate entry instructions...

I'll get me hat