[epson]

yeah you can either use lock bars or cables on these...

this is how its installed and locked

 

[iamrfixit]

I can lift it from outside, but it's just there's not much grip so it's hard to do. The cord does not really release anything, it just pulls on the chain which pulls the door up/down. I can also just grab one of the center hinges of the door and pull up.

Sounds like you need a new opener.

I have installed and repaired hundreds of openers and have never seen one that would allow the door to be lifted manually without first tripping the emergency release. Either something is broken, worn out or not installed correctly. Most would not even close the door without the door solidly connected to the opener trolley. A properly adjusted door wants to stay open, the opener has to push it at least partway down before gravity will take over.

The timer mechanism and all the extra locking chains kinda negate the purpose of even having the door opener. If you have to get out to unlock, then close and re-lock you may as well just remove it and install a slide latch. Not saying that is a bad thing but I kinda like just pushing the button when it is sub zero or pouring rain.

A modern basic opener will have rolling code technology, auto reversing, and safety photo eyes. It will actually lock the door in the closed position, can be had for around $130 and is an easy diy project.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I seen those, and I have also seen fully manual doors have a handle and key in the center (outside). Mine did not have that setup though. Suppose that could have been another way of doing it as well. Either way, nobody is going to come into my garage very easily now. If they manage it, their effort wont really have been worth it. It's not like I have bars of gold in there lol.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Sounds like you need a new opener.

I have installed and repaired hundreds of openers and have never seen one that would allow the door to be lifted manually without first tripping the emergency release. Either something is broken, worn out or not installed correctly. Most would not even close the door without the door solidly connected to the opener trolley. A properly adjusted door wants to stay open, the opener has to push it at least partway down before gravity will take over.

The timer mechanism and all the extra locking chains kinda negate the purpose of even having the door opener. If you have to get out to unlock, then close and re-lock you may as well just remove it and install a slide latch. Not saying that is a bad thing but I kinda like just pushing the button when it is sub zero or pouring rain.

A modern basic opener will have rolling code technology, auto reversing, and safety photo eyes. It will actually lock the door in the closed position, can be had for around $130 and is an easy diy project.

Not sure how old this opener is, but it was probably not a very expensive one. At one point I thought the motor was burnt as it suddenly stopped working when the door was open. So I closed it manually. Next day it worked. It "closed" the door (chain was moving to bring the "hook" to the close position), then I hit the button again and it opened, then I closed it again. But after this whole incident, it occurred to me that if I was able to close it manually when it stopped working, then I probably can open it manually, and sure enough, I can.

But yeah at this point the auto opener is kinda pointless, though I don't plan on putting my car in there anymore. I want to eventually turn it into a shop and having the car in there makes it really messy with the sand and salt, not to mention with the heat, the salt eats at the car faster. It was a nice luxery, but think I'll do without like I did for the years before.

 

[TGMcCallie]

This is something often not thought of, but a garage door is VERY easy to get in. I forgot to lock my car last night, someone stole the garage door opener and also opened the door and left it open all night. Nothing was stolen, but they'll most likely be back.

If they had not stole the opener, they could simply get another and try all the frequencies until it works... so having the wireless opener active may not be so much a good idea.

Another security issue, even with the opener unplugged, a garage door is VERY easy to open. You simply have to lift the door.

What I will do is get some heavy duty bolts, chain and hooks, so I can chain the door so it can't open.

Home owners, double check your garage door security, you'd be surprised how easy it is to break into!

********************************************************

My security system also protects my garage door.
You must live in a high crime area.

It is difficult for me to see where someone could raise your door if the opener is intact because you sure can't mine. I have a horman.

 

[CATliftTech]

This is something often not thought of, but a garage door is VERY easy to get in. I forgot to lock my car last night, someone stole the garage door opener and also opened the door and left it open all night. Nothing was stolen, but they'll most likely be back.

If they had not stole the opener, they could simply get another and try all the frequencies until it works... so having the wireless opener active may not be so much a good idea.

Another security issue, even with the opener unplugged, a garage door is VERY easy to open. You simply have to lift the door.

What I will do is get some heavy duty bolts, chain and hooks, so I can chain the door so it can't open.

Home owners, double check your garage door security, you'd be surprised how easy it is to break into!

I had to go back to the original post after reading the rest of the thread. First, a dumb question. Have ever read your owner's manual on correct operation and maintenance of your opener?

There is no way you can open that door by simply lifting it from the outside if the emergency latch is properly engaged to the trolley that raises and lowers the door.

Manual latches are not normally installed on powered doors, but they can be added for a nominal cost. Adding chains, bolts, clamps, etc. is unnecessary!

The chances of anyone guessing your DIP switch settings, or trying all the possible combinations, is difficult at best, if not impossible, for the average thief, even on one of the old systems.

Second, if you have a garage, why was your car outside, and unlocked with the opener inside? Would it not be far more secure for your vehicle to be inside your garage, behind a garage door that's closed and secured. That is of course if the opener trolley is properly engaged!

If you leave your vehicle outside with a garage door opener inside, even with the doors locked on the vehicle, you are asking for a security breech! A determined thief would simply break a side window on your car and open the door with the opener! My vehicles are never left outside.

Get your opener properly set up and don't leave your opener I your vehicle! Simpler the going through the added expense of chains, timers, and the like, don't you think?

 

[Red Squirrel]

It came with the house, no manual. Just figured it was the way it is. Though before I tried to open it manually I did figure it locked, but when I found out it does not, did not figure it was suppose to. Guess one day I could fix that, though I don't see anything obvious that would stop it from opening.

It was summer when it happened, so that's why the car was outside. I since got a security system, so I'm not as worried now. I actually hope they try, because the cops will show up. Though I have a security sign on the lawn and stickers on the doors/windows, so they'd be pretty dumb if they tried.

I plan to eventually turn the garage into a shop so I wont be using it for my car, so it's not a big deal to just undo the latches manually.

 

[sflockandsafe]

- Sorry for all that happened, but I must say you were lucky for this time. It’s better to be cautious in future. Please add on the strong safety devices for your door and use the proper locking systems to avoid such instances in future. You should double check the garage door security as we usually have tendencies to ignore it.

 

[raylo32]

Also, if you have a home alarm system, it is easy to add a set of contacts to the garage door.

 

[pacowilson]

It's possible to install some PIR lights, switches. In addition, put some alarm stickers on the door.

PIR lights (switches) can work individually, you can install it in front of your door, when it detect the movement, it will turn on the light.

The other possible way, try to install an alarm system. If you already got, then you can get door/window magnetic contact (reed switches) for the garage door.

 

[pwgsx]

I think he needs some watch dogs inside and outside of his garage and also dig a moat around his whole house. :laughing:
Seriously, why add chains, a loud horn and locks like that and even keep the opener, either get a new opener system that works correctly OR remove it totally and lock it by hand. Keep your opener inside the house, not your car and get one of those numbered wireless key pads installed, you enter the code and the door opens and/or closes.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Dogs wont do anything in a situation like that, they'll just get shot. Would not want to place a pet at the front lines of danger. When someone wants to break into a home they're there to cause the maximum trouble possible. There has been cases of people breaking in to homes and putting any small pets in the microwave, setting it to 99:59 and leaving after trashing the rest of the house. Some people are psychopaths.

I've since got an alarm system and have stickers everywhere so I'm not as worried anymore. Only thing I need to do eventually is add cameras as well. I plan to turn the garage into a shop so I will need it very secure once all my tools are in there.

 

[pwgsx]

Sounds like you need to move OR board up your door and windows!! And the above was mean as a joke. Sounds like your on the right path with the stickers and sign though :thumbsup: