How to install a garage door opener

How to install a garage door opener

Nick, Team member
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Project Overview

An automatic garage door can not only make life easier, it’s also a safer and more secure way to park and store your car. Installing your own remote control garage door opener is easier than you might think. Continue to step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1 Check the roller door operates smoothly
2 Install the stop collar
3 Install the weight bar
4 Attach the release handle and cord
5 Disengage the opener
6 Mark where you want to secure the door
7 Secure the screws
8 Preparing to remove the bracket
9 Remove the brackets
10 Install the motor
11 Refit the bracket
12 Check the operation of the roller door
13 Program the door opener
14 Check the safety reverse system
15 Affix the warning stickers
16 Installation complete

  • Step 1. Check the roller door operates smoothly

    Before you begin installing a remote garage door opener, raise and lower the door to make sure it is correctly balanced and rolls freely. Remove any locks or ropes that might hinder it. Also, lift the door to about halfway and release it. The door should remain perfectly balanced. If there are problems, call a roller door technician to get it repaired before installing the opener.

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    Person checking roller door

  • Step 2. Install the stop collar

    You need to install the stop collar on the opposite end to the motor. Fit the stop collar hard against the boss of the door drum. Make sure the U-bolt holding the door shaft is tightly fastened. If it isn’t, the spring tension won’t work and the door won’t function.

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    Person installing the stop collar

  • Step 3. Install the weight bar

    The weight bar needs to be installed in the centre at the bottom of the door. If your door doesn’t have a handle, drill two 5.5mm holes through the two marked positions and place the weight bar on the inside of the door. Use the bolts, washers, and nuts to fasten the weight bar in place. If your door has a lifting handle, remove it and install the weight bar in this spot.

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    Person clamping garage door

  • Step 4. Attach the release handle and cord

    Thread one end of the rope through the hole in the top of the red release handle. Secure with an overhead knot at least 25mm from the end of the rope, this will prevent slipping. Thread the other end of the rope through the loop of the manual release cable. Adjust the length so the handle is no higher than 1.8m above the floor. Secure with an overhead knot.

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    Attaching the release handle and cord

  • Step 5. Disengage the opener

    Disengage the opener by pulling on the release cable. You will know the motor is disengaged when you hear an audible click. The release cable allows you to open and close the door manually if there’s a blackout or you’ve lost the remote. 

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    Person disengaging the opener

  • Step 6. Mark where you want to secure the door

    To make sure the roller door is secure before you install the motor, pin it to the drum with screws. It’s important to do this so that your door doesn’t balloon, which may delay the safety reversal response and compromise security. To do this, close the roller door and mark the last part of the curtain where it meets the drum. This is where the screws should go.

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    Person marking garage door

  • Step 7. Secure the screws

    Roll up the door until the mark is visible. Then lift the door about half a turn from the closed position to give you enough room to drill. Secure the screws through the door curtain and into the drum wheel at the end of each roll. Now the door is pinned, you can install the motor.

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    Securing the screws

  • Step 8. Preparing to remove the bracket

    The motor can be installed on either the right- or left-hand side of the door, but it needs to be opposite the stop collar. Place the opener in manual release mode, and open the door fully. Make sure the U-bolt on the other side is tight. Before removing a heavy roller door from its bracket, get a friend to help by supporting the door. You’ll also need a ladder and a ratchet tie-down strap or rope for extra support. Once the door is supported, mark the position of the door shaft on the right hand door bracket.

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    Person unscrewing garage door bracket

  • Step 9. Remove the brackets

    Once the roller door is supported you can remove the right hand axle U-bolt and mounting bracket from the wall.

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    Removing the bracket

  • Step 10. Install the motor

    Install the motor by sliding the opener over the axle and then engage the drive legs into the door drum wheel either side of the spoke.

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    Person installing the motor

  • Step 11. Refit the bracket

    Refit the door mounting bracket to the wall. Clamp the opener to the axle and bracket using the clamp that’s supplied. Then you can remove all the ropes and the support ladder.

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    Person refitting the bracket

  • Step 12. Check the operation of the roller door

    Check the operation of the roller door by disengaging the motor and manually rolling the door up and down. 

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    Person opening roller door

  • Step 13. Program the door opener

    Make sure the door is halfway and the opener is engaged. Plug the opener into the power supply, the LED lights should come on. Now it’s time to program the opener. You can program it for left and right operation, door travel limits and force limits. To program your garage opener, refer to the instruction manual included in your roller door pack.

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    Person programming the garage door opener

  • Step 14. Check the safety reverse system

    To check the safety reverse system is working, place a block of wood or another object under the roller door. Close the door. You will know it works if the roller door touches the object and automatically reverses.

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    Person checking the safety reverse system

  • Step 15. Affix the warning stickers

    Attach the warning labels to the garage wall.

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    Affixing the warning stickers

  • Step 16. Installation complete

    Now your remote control door opener is ready to go, you’ll never need to leave the comfort of your car again.
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    person opening garage door

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Emergency door release
  • Keyring remote
  • Roller door pack
  • Safety beams
  • Visor remote
  • Wireless keypad

Materials

  • 8mm socket, 10mm socket, 13mm extended socket and socket wrench
  • Shifting spanner/adjustable wrench
  • Cordless drill
  • 5.5mm drill bit
  • Earmuffs
  • Impact driver
  • Ladder
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Ratchet tie-down strap or rope
  • Safety glasses
  • Work gloves

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