Answers - FAQ

 Fitting Openers to existing garage doors

CANOPY DOORS

Canopy doors, so called because the lifting gear cannot lift them into a horizontal position when fully open. An additional device to enable the garage door opener to function correctly must fitted to the garage door.

CANOPY DOOR CHECK for suitability

To be certain of a door being suitable, act like a garage door opener. Check by hand. Grab the top of your closed door in the centre, and walk backwards to pull it open. Then close it by walking forward.

Do it again and this time watch the hand which grabs the door. If it rises and falls as it moves backwards and forwards then fitting an opener without using a canopy device is not likely to be successful project.

If you are unsure about this then you could send by e-mail a photo of the lifting gear. We will advise.

Chain drive - Is chain drive noisier than belt drive?

Yes and No. The ones we supply are whisper quiet - truly. We cannot answer for any others. I fancy this question was being asked by way of knocking the opposition up to the 80's and 90's when belt drive was introduced by some. Even then it was not true of some of the better designs.

One customer recently opted to replace rather than repair one of his openers. It was 22 years old after all and was one of the quieter ones of the time.

He was out of town, and rang after returning home to find his new opener had been installed, and the fitter had left.

So impressed was he that he insisted on replacing the second of his openers.

How much time should I allow for fitting to my garage door?

Can be done in an hour but first time allow for fetching and carrying and thinking time.

This is one of the unanswerable ones.

The name does sound impressive. Technically the word describes exactly what it is. But it can be described quite simply.

The history is much less technical. You undoubtedly have a few examples of this invisible beast in your household. Even in your handbag or pocket. Most children certainly have them kicking around.

In layman's terms it is the production of one radio frequency as the product of using two other frequencies. It's been around for a long time and some, now ex wartime radio equipment, used it to good effect. It is - simply put, a circuit used in radio receiver/transmitter equipment.

To put it another way: it means that the heterodyne (circuit) is used to produce a clearer signal - more easily read by the receiver for which it is intended, and much less influenced by sporadic other (often random) signals than would othewise be the case.

A commonly used device which was first developed in the early 1900's. Certainly been used in European countries since the 80's for remote controls used with gate openers and garage door openers.The words RACAL of Britain springs to mind when radio buffs talk about super heterodyne circuits.

Racal were then recognised as the leaders in the field. If you're really interested then you can see some diagrams at this link.  http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gjrp/EE3/Comms/Lecture6/sld001.htm

Don't you just hate jargon? Seems to impress but not explain.

How many ways can I open my garage door?

You will have remote controls which are sufficient for most other than the addition of a simple bell push inside the garage.

You could use a switch limited to being operated by a key.

For safety sake remember always that the garage door should never be activated when out of your sight.

Low voltage motors. Why not use the 240 volt mains motors?

Safety - Energy saving - Regulations - Tremendously effective design - Mass production techniques now swifter than on the mains voltages motor production lines - Cost price drastically reduced for you the customers.

For example, one motor being used in UK for a garage door opener had a list price of around £25 - £30 when the ex factory cost from one manufacturer for todays motor was less that £3.00 (not present day prices).

 Remote controls - How far will the signal reach?

First thing. The power output for users of this frequency range which is designated for this purpose is limited to a very low level. It cannot be legally exceeded. UK regulations are tightly monitored.

Most suppliers now offer reasonable workable distances anyway. One offers a range of up to 200 metres. But But But ... Automatic Garage doors and gates should not be activated when not in sight of the remote control. That could by risky for anyone nearby the automated gates or garage doors.

The distance achieved by remote controls is dependant on various factors - mainly the environment where the kit is being operated.

We are always available to offer advice for customers to achieve the best results for their site.

Remote controls - How long do the batteries last?

Even the zinc oxide type of battery has been known to last for 7 years. Alkaline ones are more commonly used for remote controls though more recently some are using the later types of battery.

Remember they are only used for a couple of seconds a day.

Remember also that the remote control circuitry is designed for use with a specific battery. Do as the manufacturer indicates.

To answer your question. When the operating range decreases noticeably; by which time some people have forgotten that it is battery operated.

Safety - Why are these garage door openers safer to use?

Electrical safety. The installation is simply plug into 13 amp ring main which we all are familiar with. Older garage door openers were less well electrically insulated from 240 volts.

All the circuitry now in these garage door openers is low voltage with the motors running at 24 volts DC.

They are safer in use because they react instantly on reaching an obstruction or resistance out of the ordinary pattern of their routine.

Children, adults, cars, bikes are safer when around these openers. Pets move speedily when garage doors start to open but the garage doors shouldn't be set to close when they are vulnerable during the learning process.

Time & Tools