[profdlp]

I have a problem every winter with my garage door opener. Once the temperature falls below about 35F it stops working. If I hold the manual button down it will work. The research I have done indicates this is probably due to the electric eye safety sensors.

Any suggestions as to what to do about this? I have tried cleaning the lenses and checking the alignment. The fact that it works fine when it is somewhat warmer (and works flawlessly all summer long) makes me think it is not the alignment.

This is for a detached garage and it is a pain in the neck when I need to run out to the garage for something since I have to go get my keys to lock the "people" door after getting the roll-up door shut. It also sucks when I go anywhere since I have to back my Jeep out, then shut it down so I can use the key for the deadbolt on the garage.

 

[Windows on Wash]

If the alignment is good, how much are the sensors to replace? I can't think of anything that is in them that is specifically temperature sensitive...but who knows.

 

[Mystriss]

My guess would be fog on the lenses or exhaust. The latter sets ours off all the time in the winter when we pull in and try to immediately shut the door.

 

[huesmann]

Could be fog, or slim chance the temperature drop is causing something to shrink and twist, moving the electric eyes out of alignment?

 

[roughneck]

Do yours have the lights on the eyes that show when they are aligned?

 

[Colbyt]

I've faced the same issue this winter. Come warm weather I am removing them from the jamb and mounting the eye arms to the floor.


One thing my wife learned is that you can hold down the button on the exterior wireless keypad and it works just like the interior wired unit. May not be tru for all doors but it works with my Sears model.

 

[profdlp]

I think it may be fogging as well. Since I have nothing to lose, I may try some of the anti-fog stuff I use on the inside of my windshield and see if that helps.

Regarding replacing them, are these pretty standard? Or do I need to stick with the manufacturers? It is a Chamberlain garage door opener if that matters.

I like the idea of mounting them to the floor. I bought the house three years ago and as I recall this problem has gotten worse every winter. I was looking through some troubleshooting tips and some people suggested adding a length of wire to one end and temporarily mounting one six inches away from the other one. (And one guy screwed both to an 8" board and permanently mounted them to the ceiling, but...)

Mine do not have the lights to show when they are aligned, but I'd bet $100 if the temperature got above 40F the door would close just fine. It works all spring, summer, and fall, then when the temps go down the door doesn't.

I have tried holding the remote button down for long enough to know that that is not an option with my brand. We have three remotes, one in each of our cars and another in the house for opening and shutting the door when we are inside. It won't work that way for any of them.

I meant to add the other day that I am good about cleaning and lubricating the chain, track, etc., and the spring looks fine. (Manually closing the door is easy like it should be, so I know the spring is doing its job of balancing things.)

 

[Missouri Bound]

Are your sensors mounted on the jamb or on the door rail?
If you think it is a weather issue, perhaps it's a crack in one of the plastic housing that allows moisture in to affect the sensor.
You can try replacing the sensors....not too expensive.
Between $30 and $50 at many big box home improvement stores.
Or order them online at America's newest marketplace.....Amazon.
And the new ones will most likely have the alignment lights.

 

[Mystriss]

Ours either go solid, or they flash, when out of alignment. The kids kept hitting the one with the trash can, but they... or well the one that's still living here, actually learned so it hasn't happened for a number of years.

 

[profdlp]

Will any sensors work? Or do certain types only work with certain manufacturers?

 

[Mystriss]

IDK about specific models that can or can't, but I do know they make aftermarket/replacement sensors - https://www.amazon.com/Chamberlain-...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482454983181&psc=1

Our old genie has after-market sensors from some unknown Chinese company, but the Genie itself must have the hook-ups for sensors on it (never looked)

I can't imagine you couldn't get a replacement set like the one linked above. It's just a two wire connection. I bet it's just a power on/off circuit (like a light switch) If I'm feeling less moody tomorrow I'll see if I little research on it and try to figure that out for ya. Do you have the model #? Else maybe a picture to try to ferret it out.

 

[profdlp]

...I can't imagine you couldn't get a replacement set like the one linked above. It's just a two wire connection. I bet it's just a power on/off circuit (like a light switch)...

I think you are probably right. I did some checking earlier and it looks like the sensors themselves may work differently in some ways, but ultimately it either sends a signal to the opener that the path is clear (and lets the door shut) or that it isn't and locks it out.

I ordered the ones you listed. They are supposed to be here Friday but it will be Saturday before I can install them. I'll let you all know what happens. (And watch it get unseasonably warm for the next three weeks so I won't be sure.) :vs_laugh:

I appreciate all the good advice. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Old Thomas]

Put a digital lock on the man door-no more using keys.

 

[profdlp]

Put a digital lock on the man door-no more using keys.

That is a very good idea. When I bought the place I bought all new locks (three sets of locking doorknobs and deadbolts) all keyed alike. I almost never use the "people" door, except when it's cold out and yadda yadda yadda...

 

[huesmann]

I actually recently had to deal with this; the alignment issue wasn't caused by cold though (coz it started before winter). The unit on one side of the door has an amber light to show it's getting power, and the one on the other side has a green light to indicate that they're in alignment. The green one was lit, and I was having the problems with the door (had to hold the button down to get it down all the way). But then I took a closer look, and while the light was green, if I moved the sensor slightly it got brighter! So I adjusted it to maximize the brightness, and checked the door button, and it worked normally!

My suspicion is that the springs weren't tensioned properly, because on manual the door wouldn't stay midway up—just wanted to roll down. I re-tensioned them, and the sensors went out of whack. I think the improper tension had caused the tracks to twist, and since the sensors were attached to the tracks, they got out of alignment.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I have this same problem and I thought it was something expanding/contracting with the track. Never thought about the eyes.

Gonna check this out ASAP

 

[profdlp]

I got the parts on Friday and installed them on Saturday. Easy install: Splice four wires (two for each side) and snap them on the track. I removed the old ones but could have left them alone had I wished.

It is too early to declare total victory, but I do think this is now fixed. I'm being cagey about it because the temperature has not dropped a whole lot below freezing since then. A couple of really cold days and I'll be more confidant.

For what it's worth, as I was unbolting the olds ones I saw a green light flicker on one. I do not recall ever seeing it before. (Been here nearly three years. It's possible it went bad some time back and I just forgot about it ever working.) The flickering light makes me think the sensor was indeed the problem, that something was either shorted out or causing an open circuit inside, and that my rattling it around while removing it exposed the problem.

I'll try and update this once we get some serious cold weather. Like I mentioned before, the door has always worked fine until it gets cold out.

 

[Missouri Bound]

:vs_clap:

 

[Old Thomas]

My sensors are mounted on the ceiling above the operator, about 6 inches apart.