Automatic Garage Door Mechanism

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Automatic Garage Door Mechanism - which 'brand'?

Batman

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#119546 5-Jun-2013 14:47

I've got a double garage with a metal door that opens upwards (not roller) ...

Where would you get a decent/cheap (if they both coexist that is) automatic mechanism for it?

Is garador any good?

Thanks

timmmay

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#830993 5-Jun-2013 14:54

Mitre 10, $380 or so for a Merlin/Chamberlain belt driven one. I have an older model, I'll be upgrading to that when I get around to it. You can pay upward of $1000 to have one supplied and fitted - and it may be worthwhile for an initial install. I bet there's loads of tricks.

kiwitrc

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#831000 5-Jun-2013 15:04

B&D Dominator are really good. Long range remote, quiet and very reliable. No idea on cost, but from memory the two I have were quite a bit more then the Merlin when I looked into them many years ago.

mattwnz

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#831004 5-Jun-2013 15:11

Garador install them, and I don't think they are too badly priced. They can be quite fiddly to do it yourself, and to get them working right. It is probably a job I would leave to a pro.

timmmay

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#831007 5-Jun-2013 15:17

Thread hijack... has anyone replaced an existing automatic garage door opener? The initial install looks tricky, but an upgrade/replacement would seem to be a bit easier... right?

nickb800

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#831014 5-Jun-2013 15:29

timmmay: Thread hijack... has anyone replaced an existing automatic garage door opener? The initial install looks tricky, but an upgrade/replacement would seem to be a bit easier... right?

I'm not sure how much easier it would be really - unless the replacement is of exactly the same dimensions in which case you would just be bolting/screwing. If its different then you will have a lot of measuring to do, and thus a lot more potential to go wrong. Any tips on youtube?

Small complaint with the modern Merlin DC openers - they are very slow to open and close, at least compared with the older Merlins

kiwitrc

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#831015 5-Jun-2013 15:31

timmmay: Thread hijack... has anyone replaced an existing automatic garage door opener? The initial install looks tricky, but an upgrade/replacement would seem to be a bit easier... right?

I have done two and its no problem to do.

kiwitrc

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#831017 5-Jun-2013 15:32

nickb800:
timmmay: Thread hijack... has anyone replaced an existing automatic garage door opener? The initial install looks tricky, but an upgrade/replacement would seem to be a bit easier... right?

I'm not sure how much easier it would be really - unless the replacement is of exactly the same dimensions in which case you would just be bolting/screwing. If its different then you will have a lot of measuring to do, and thus a lot more potential to go wrong. Any tips on youtube?

Small complaint with the modern Merlin DC openers - they are very slow to open and close, at least compared with the older Merlins

Some of the Merlins are two speed, check it out yours may be. Thats another reason I went B&D much quicker than the Merlin.

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timmmay

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#831019 5-Jun-2013 15:35

My older Merlin is ok, takes 5-10 seconds to open the double tilt door. So long as it's in the ballpark that's ok, especially if the range improves... right now it's about 3m. If there's a better option I would consider it, but it's not worth much to me.

I'd give it a go myself, if I stuff it up then I'd get a firm in. I've used Fred Chapman in Wellington for maintenance, they did a good job. They'd charge $750 to supply and fit a replacement unit.

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#831048 5-Jun-2013 15:54

Ok i will check the price difference between merlin garador dominator ... :)

timmmay

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#831130 5-Jun-2013 16:48

Post what you find please :)

mattwnz

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#831132 5-Jun-2013 16:50

The other thing you may want to consider is the noise. You can get some now that are very quiet, but obviously more expensive. They are good if you have a room above the garage, or a bedroom next to the garage.

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#831133 5-Jun-2013 16:51

timmmay: Post what you find please :)

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#831762 6-Jun-2013 18:01

conqueror: $680
dominator: $700
garador: $750 (all are "installed" prices)

the garador guy says garador and dominator is the same stuff owned by the same people made by the same makers.

Gilco2

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#831766 6-Jun-2013 18:10

our garador one is still working well (touch wood) and it is 8 years old now, never had a problem

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kiwitrc

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#831821 6-Jun-2013 20:07

Mine are about 15 years old and also no problems.