Some questions about installing new garage door on old opener and other stuff

Skeletor916 · 01-23-2009, 09:47 AM

Hello all, love this place.

So I have a 1/2 hp older Craftsman garage door opener (see blurry pics, apparently I don't have steady hands) and I am hoping that I can purchase and install a newer metal door with the railing myself. I took a picture of the way it attaches to the door and it looks as though I could do it, but should I? I figure it has the juice to do it because I imagine the wood, watersoaked and all, weighs about the same if not more than a metal door would.

Would I be able to add an electric eye to the unit?

What is with those wires sticking out of the side of the unit? There's a white one, a red one, and a black one so I am assuming it is for some kind of light....

Should the pulley system be level? I noticed when I was taking the pictures that it is higher towards the garage door and sags towards the opener, leaving it a bit low to the ground anyways.

Any suggestions or bits of information would be appreciated too. Thanks!

bradnailer · 01-23-2009, 10:00 AM

The garage door opener should work just fine with a new door.

If you get a door with a torsion spring mounted externally in the middle of the header, have a pro to do the install.

A Wayne Dalton door from Lowe's can be installed by a DIY'er as the springs are adjusted by using a ratched and they are incased in a housing.

Shamus · 01-23-2009, 05:51 PM

From what I can see from your pic. The Red, White and Black wires go to a receiving unit which I assume you don't have. Without that a remote won't work. The wall pushbutton would, provided the opener works.

Installation instructions for the door will come with it. As mentioned above, both Home Depot and Lowes offer roll-up doors at a fair price. Metal doors today are mostly aluminum and weigh about half of what your one-piece door does.