Clicker Garage Door Opener Reviews

Archive for November, 2009

Clicker Garage Door Opener Repair Guide

Most people today have clicker garage door openers to ease the operation for their garage doors. What is a clicker garage door opener?

Well, it is an electric motor appliance that opens and closes a garage door with the simple push of a button. Most garage door systems have a button that is wired into the household electrical circuit or that’s placed onto a battery-powered remote control unit.

When the button is pressed, an infrared or radio signal is sent to the control unit which in turn, operates an electric motor with a track-and-pulley system that moves to the door. As an added convenience, many clicker garage door openers also include a light that goes on automatically and shuts off after a pre-set interval of time.

It is important that you are aware of the potential issues that may arise so that you can understand exactly what needs to be done in order to repair the unit. For instance, the opener may not respond properly when the clicker garage door opener or wall button is pushed or the opener may raise the garage door but not close it.

Other potential issues include the garage door not opening or closing completely or the opener may operate without a command. Clicker garage door openers are more than just a motor and electronic control.

With that being said, you will be able to replace batteries, test the motor, test the controls or lubricate and align mechanisms.

If you find yourself in a situation where the door opener does not respond when you push the button, double check to make sure the cord is securely plugged into a properly operating electrical receptacle.

The motor may just have become overheated by a binding door, so push the button on the clicker garage door opener and try to open it again.

If clicker garage door openers do not work, one option to try is to check the battery to see if it is supplying adequate power. It is also helpful to check and make sure that the antenna is outside the housing case for the unit.

If you find that your opener is running but doesn’t open the garage door, check for wear of the worm gear or chain-drive sprocket. If this sounds like Greek to you, the other option is to have it serviced by a professional.

Some people have issues with frequency and signals as far as clicker garage door openers are concerned. For example, if you find that every time you push the button on the remote control unit, your neighbor’s garage door opens, simply resetting the frequency may solve the problem. If you are unable to reset the frequency, call a professional and schedule a service call so that a technician can come out to your home to take a look at the system.

Normal wear and tear issues are to be expected with garage door opener systems and clicker garage door openers. As you can see, some of these issues may be easily solved whereas other issues may require professional assistance. The more you know about what could go wrong, the more prepared you will be when something does go wrong.

Can you operate a garage door manually? Yes, you absolutely can, but, why would you want to? Each year, three million homeowners purchase clicker garage door openers.

There are several factors that should be considered before you make your final decision on which unit will be best for your garage. Some of these factors include dependability, affordability, safety, security and noise. This last factor is something that should be considered for garages that contain workshops or for homes that have bedrooms or offices directly above the garage.

First, you want to compare the different brands of systems that are available. The most common clicker garage door openers consist of chain drives which range in price from approximately $130 to $180.

They are typically noisy because they use a metal chain along a metal trolley. Next in line is screw drives which range anywhere in price from $150 to $250; they lift the door with a threaded steel rod.

The latest models use a plastic-lined track to reduce the noisy metal-to-metal contact as well as to increase the opening speed.

For homeowners that prefer quiet motor systems in a clicker garage door opener, the belt drive systems are the best.

These systems range in price from approximately $170 to $350.

The rubber belts are flexible and dampen vibrations which help eliminate the noisy metal-to-metal contact of chain or screw drives.

Once you have decided on which brand of a clicker garage door opener you want for your garage, you must evaluate the openers’ motors. Some of the high-quality openers use a direct current versus a standard alternating current. If you are interested in conserving energy, a direct current motor is your best option!

It uses less electricity, its speed can be controlled easily and it allows for a soft start and stop cycle which will eliminate loud clanking sounds.  This clicker garage door opener will start closing the garage door slowly, reach full speed and then slow down again just before the door touches the floor of the garage.

It is important that you consider safety concerns when you are looking for a system for your garage. There are clicker garage door openers that feature an automatic reverse which stops and reserves the garage door if it touches something such as a child playing underneath or a pet.

If you are still concerned with the amount of security, you can even get a remote control that uses rolling codes to transmit a different opening signal each and every time the garage door is opened.

In fact, there are clicker garage door openers that are equipped with multifunctional controls. The controls may consist of one button for opening the door, another button that turns on the light in the garage or even a third button that will switch on the lights and appliances that are located inside of your home.

If you are going to be gone from your home for an extended period of time, you can simply disarm the wall unit so that the clicker garage door opener does not operate the garage door.

At this point, you should have a good idea of exactly what you are looking for in a clicker garage door opener! Now all that is left to do is to purchase an opener system at a store or from a dealer. You can either install the unit yourself or pay a few hundred dollars to have a professional install it for you.

Most clicker garage door openers include two remote control units; if you are interested in a third controller, you should be able to arrange that with a manufacturer for an additional fee.

As you can see, clicker garage door openers have come a long way from when the concept was first introduced over more than fifty years ago. The technology has changed since that time and as a result more advanced clicker garage door openers have been developed to offer homeowners several different options.

As far as clicker garage door openers are concerned, the universal remote has proven to be one of the most popular and practical remote control units that are available on the market today. Perhaps you have damaged your current remote control or misplaced it?

Well, you can use clicker garage door openers that are universal to replace virtually any brand of garage door openers whether they are non-rolling or rolling code openers. A few examples of the different brands that are compatible are Genie, Stanley, Linear/Moore-o-Matic, Craftsman, Chamberlain and LiftMaster.

The housing for clicker garage door openers is manufactured with a very lightweight plastic material and has a two button design which allows you to control multiple garage doors or gates at the same time. It conveniently mounts on the visor of your vehicle or can be attached to your keychain, right next to your car keys.

Depending on what type of opener you currently have, clicker garage door openers can be easily programmed by simply adjusting a set of switches or by the smart/learn button that is located on the remote control unit.

Clicker garage door openers that are universal can make your busy life much easier. You will no longer have to carry two different remote controls every time you have to leave your home. Did I mention you will not miss getting the separate remote control units confused when you go to use them?

Simply use one controller to open all of your doors. If you are a homeowner that has a multi-car garage, this type of remote control would be a perfect fit for your home!

In order to properly program clicker garage door openers, it is extremely important that you read all of the instructions first, especially if you are programming more than one door. Once you have chosen a code that is going to be easy for you to memorize, write it down and keep that piece of paper in a neutral place, just in case you or your family members forget what the code is.

Another great suggestion is to type the code you have decided upon onto a notepad or word document on your computer and then you can save it for easy access. Try to avoid using common numerical sequences such as 1234, as these will be the first numbers that intruders will try. Instead, try to use numbers or characters that are out of sequence but still easy for you to remember.

Do you consider yourself to be forgetful? Perhaps, you misplace things very easily? Well, I suggest that you purchase extra clicker garage door openers in order to solve that problem. One unit can be placed inside of your vehicle and one can be kept in your purse or in a safe place within your home. Always remember to place the misplaced unit back into your vehicle once you have located it. This will alleviate the possibility of misplacing both of the clicker garage door openers.

Clicker garage door openers are not considered to be a toy! As with any other electronic devices, you must keep it out of reach of young children to prevent accidents from the garage doors suddenly opening and closing.

As far as clicker garage door openers are concerned, on today’s market, there are quite a few different brands to choose from. I have compiled an overview of the different brands to give you some general information in order to help you make a final decision on which type of clicker garage door opener will be the best fit for your garage.

One of the more popular brands of clicker garage door openers is Genie. Genie garage door openers have come a long way from being considered as luxury items to becoming an indispensable everyday convenience that makes your life easier.

Genie manufactures a multitude of handy tools to make life much easier for homeowners but the product that has stood out among the competition due to its established reputation is the clicker garage door opener.

In fact, the Genie Company has been established by homeowners across the nation as being the premier brand of clicker garage door openers which are known for dependability, innovation, quality and performance.

The next in line is clicker garage door openers that are manufactured by Chamberlain. These garage door openers are strong, durable and made by the world’s largest manufacturer of garage door openers.

This company has over forty years of experience and has revolutionized the industry and has played a vital role in taking the garage door opener from a nice-to-have “extra” to a home convenience necessity. Each model offers the ultimate in safety and security features and is available with innovative accessories that are designed to make home access even more convenient.

Clicker garage door openers that are manufactured by LiftMaster offer a broad selection in performance, features and durability. All of the models offer the ultimate in safety and security features, and are available with a variety of horsepower levels and drive systems for all types of homes. All systems are prove to withstand even the harshest of elements and will provide years of uninterrupted extended use.

Mechanically, the Allstar opener is built like all the v-belt drive openers of the past that have lasted for decades. The motor pulley turns a v-belt, which turns a larger pulley which is secured to the drive shaft.

At the other end of this shaft is a sprocket which moves the opener chain. Clicker garage door openers from Allstar come with a 20-year motor and drive train warranty.  Typically, this brand of clicker garage door openers come with a heftier price tag, but, the difference in price is well worth it when it comes to the quality of the unit.

Clicker garage door openers from Carper offer a wide selection of universal remote control units for garage door openers that utilize dip switch settings. These remotes are an excellent choice for a compact, keychain-size replacement for older garage door openers from manufacturers such as Pulsar, Genie and Allstar.

Clicker garage door openers from Carper are made of high density plastic and are more durable than most remotes that are manufactured.

The clicker garage door opener from Skylink will offer you peace of mind as the remote will close the garage door for you automatically in case you forget. These units have a built-in timer that can be set from two minutes to twenty minutes and will close the door automatically.

Is an added precaution, an audio warning will be omitted when the door is about to close. This is a great feature to have if you have pets or small children in the home, to warn them when the garage door is about to close.

In order to properly program any type of clicker garage door openers, you should make sure that you carefully review the instructions that come with the remote you decide to purchase.

This is highly suggested as certain remote control units and receivers may have specific ways in which to complete the programming process. I have put together a quick guide of general instructions to follow that applies to most types of clicker garage door openers.

In order for the clicker garage door opener to work properly, it is essential that you choose a remote unit that is compatible to the receiving unit. The issue of compatibility is based on two factors which are frequency signals and coding technology. The most common frequencies that are found in clicker garage door openers are 300, 315 and 390MHz. If the remote uses coding technology, there will be either dip switches or a learn button on the unit.

Dip switch coding technology uses a manual coding format that applies a set of 8, 9, 10 or 12 switches that can be set in binary or trinary positions in order to create a code combination. If you are going to use dip switch programming, it is important that you numbers and the type of dip switches; this will insure that the system works properly.

Once you have confirmed that your clicker garage door opener is compatible with your receiver, the next step is to go through the programming process. This process is much simpler if dip switches are used; by matching the combination of the dip switches on the receiving unit to the remote, when the clicker is pressed it omits a signal to the unit that is mounted inside of the garage to operate the garage door.

Keep in mind that dip switches are easy to program but because of the limited number of code combinations that are available to use, there is a higher possibility that the security of your garage could be compromised. The safest option out of the two for homeowners would be using clicker garage door openers that use frequency signals to operate.

Clicker garage door openers that utilize learn buttons can be programmed in more than one way. To get the optimum results of your controller, make sure that you check the instructions that come with the unit. Typically, the programming process begins when the learn button on the receiver unit is pressed. Next, push and hold down the button the clicker garage door opener that will operate the door of the garage.

Now that these two units have been synchronized, you are ready to go. Some remote control units even come equipped with different colored LED lights that blink a number of times to confirm that the programming was successful.

Clicker garage door openers work on a system of frequencies or rotating codes specifically to provide enhanced security for homeowners. The unit is able to operate successfully up to a range of one hundred feet away from the garage door that it has been programmed to operate.

This is a great option to be able to use especially when it is raining or heavily snowing outside. There is a wide variety of clicker garage door openers on the market that are manufactured in different styles and many of these units are universally compatible.

Isn’t it about time that you stopped putting your body through excessive physical strain? Stop manually opening and closing your garage door and review the various clicker garage door openers that are available to pick a unit that is going to save you time as well as offer convenience.

What exactly are clicker garage door openers? How are they used? How do you go about choosing the right model for your garage?

These may be a few questions that come to mind when you are considering having a garage built on your property.

Clicker garage door openers are simply defined as a remote control device that allows you to open and close your garage door by the push of a button.

These controllers include a receiving unit that is typically mounted on the inside of the garage. When you push the button on the remote, a signal is omitted to the receiving unit that prompts it to operate the garage door.

Clicker garage door openers have come a long way since they were invented! In fact, the first models were introduced into homes across the nation when people decided to start building garages to house their vehicles in.

The overall concept of clicker garage door openers is simple; these units offer additional security for homeowners as they are able to keep their garage doors locked at all times.

Many people use their garages for storing valuables including a vehicle, so this type of security offers additional peace of mind.

An intruder will not be able to get into the garage as the door cannot be opened without the remote unit.

When these units were first introduced to homeowners, there was a huge issue with them.

Yes, they provided additional security but, the early models were all manufactured to be universal and operated off the same frequency signals.

In other words, there was a chance that if someone purchased a clicker, they would be able to use it on your garage door to gain direct access to your vehicle and even into your home.

As you can see, manufacturers had to figure out a solution to prevent this type of activity from happening.

They decided to add DIP switches to each of the clicker garage door openers; the switches had a scrambling effect on the frequency signals which therefore omitted a different frequency each and every time the remote was used to open up a garage door.

This update on clicker garage door openers seemed to work, but only for a short period of time. Homeowners had to deal with many switches that needed to be added to both the receiving unit as well as the actual remote controller.

However, intruders got smarter and started using radio scanning devices to decipher the codes that were used to operate the clicker garage door opener.

So, the manufacturers found themselves back at square one! Fortunately, technology had caught up and manufacturers were now able to devise a way of enhancing the security features of clicker garage door openers. This was accomplished by simply implementing the use of codes into the clicker remote.

This change required that the homeowner add PINs and other secret digits that would automatically change every time the clicker was pressed. This system is more commonly referred to as the use of rolling codes or hopping codes.

The implementation of rolling codes allowed the combination on the clicker to change but not on the receiving unit. This way, the receiving unit would scan the potential combination of numbers ahead of time in order to operate properly. In addition, homeowners had the choice of programming the clicker wirelessly, which would allow for manual change of codes.

Since the invention of clicker garage door openers, the design of the units has also greatly improved!

These units now have backlights so that you can see the controls or buttons in the dark. This can be helpful for people who may have trouble seeing at night.

In addition, clicker garage door openers are also manufactured to be waterproof which means that even if they are drenched in rain or submerged in water, they will still work properly.

If you are still living in the dark ages where you have to physically open and close your garage door, you should check out the variety of clicker garage door openers that are available on the market today!

These units can save you time, hassle and prevent potential back injuries from occurring.

Clicker garage door openers are simple devices that transmit a radio signal to your garage door opener unit that is mounted inside of your garage. The transmitted signal notifies the unit that is time to operate the garage door.

Over the years, the technology of the clicker has advanced to provide additional security, which has led to the development of other remote entry devices such as key fobs which operate on the locks of your car doors.

In the 1950s, clicker garage door openers first made their appearance in homes across the nation. The early versions of these units were very simple devices that sent out a signal and every unit operated on the same frequency.

This caused major security problems as clicker garage door openers gained popularity due to the fact that almost any clicker would operate anyone’s garage door opener. Manufacturers had to find a way to provide their customers with home security so they decided to implement some necessary changes.

By the 1970s, manufacturers were able to vary the frequency and signal that was used for a clicker garage door opener and as a result of this change, security was added. DIP switches were added to vary the radio signal that each unit received.

A DIP switch is a series of tiny switches that are attached to the circuit board and each tiny switch can be positioned up or down in order to create many combinations. A DIP switch was added to both the clicker garage door opener and the receiver.

The switches on a clicker garage door opener are typically located in the battery compartment of the unit and on the back of the receiver. Both sets of DIP switches must be set the same for the clicker signal to be accepted by the receiver and open the garage door.

This helps prevent your neighbor from opening your garage door instead of his own, but the fact of the matter is, that the security is only at a minimum level.Radio scanners can be used by thieves to read the radio code the clicker sends to the receiver. The signal sent by the clicker is always the same, so the code is simply retransmitted to open your garage door.

Today’s clicker garage door openers have figured out a way to offer additional security by using computer technology called rolling code generation. The computer technology works because both the clicker unit and the receiver unit contain a small computer chip with identical code generators.

After the clicker button is pressed and the garage door is in motion, the clicker and the receiver both generate a new code that is identical to save in memory for the next time the door is operated.

The rolling code generation technology sounds like a great way to solve potential problems with clicker garage door openers! But, what happens if you push the button the clicker garage door opener when you are out of range of the receiver unit? Well, the code in the clicker will change to the next generated code but, the code in the receiver unit will remain the same.

Manufacturers have taken this into consideration and developed measures to ensure that the garage door opener will still work efficiently. The receiver unit is programmed to scan and accept a specific number of possible codes.

For instance, if you press the button on the clicker five times while you are away from home and then press it while you are in range, the receiver will not recognize the first code that was received and will start to check a specific number of code generations, to match the code.

In this case, the transmitted code will match the sixth code, and the garage door opener will operate. The receiver usually accepts over 200 code generations ahead, so you are safe provided you do not press the clicker button excessively before using it to open your garage door.

One of America’s best known and trusted consumer brand names for clicker garage door openers is Genie.

Genie has an illustrious history that underscores its commitment to constant innovation. High quality, dependability and nationwide service are just a few reasons that you should choose a Genie branded clicker garage door opener over competitor’s products.

The Genie® History

The Genie Company was founded in 1923 and long before they began manufacturing clicker garage door openers, they were called the Alliance Manufacturing Company. The company manufactured an extensive line of consumer, industrial and military products.

In the 1940s, America found itself at war and depended heavily on Alliance’s factories across the United States to produce everything from fuse caps and voltage regulators to canteen handles and generators.

Years later, in May of 1954, the Alliance Manufacturing Company designed the nations’ first clicker garage door openers. The company quickly became the market leader in design, safety and reliable services. In fact, Genie still upholds these values to this day.

Several years after the innovation and introduction of clicker garage door openers, engineers that worked for Genie developed the first screw drive opener. Further design improvements and adjustments resulted in the offering of a split rail opener.

Consumer appeal for this particular product grew rapidly alongside the increasingly popular do-it-yourself market. As a result of this increase in demand, Genie entered the home and shop vacuum market and in 1985, decided to change the company’s name to Genie Home Products.

In 1994, the Overhead Door Corporation purchased the company and continued its focus on product quality, innovation, convenience and service. Millions of customers around the world sought out this brand in home centers, hardware stores, wholesale clubs and professional installing dealers.

In today’s industry, the Overhead Door Corporation continues to manufacture clicker garage door openers for multiple distribution channels under the legacy that was established from years of customer satisfaction.

Genie has an extensive line of clicker garage door openers which include advanced features such as the Intellicode remote access security system. This system automatically changes the security code to one of billions of combination each time the transmitter is activated. There is a Safe-T-Beam system that uses an infrared beam system to sense when objects are in the door’s path to prevent entrapment.

As far as Genie’s customer support is concerned, both retailers and end-users agree that it is the best in the industry! This simple fact is exactly why Genie is so well-recognized within the clicker garage door opener marketplace. In addition, this company has always been an industry leader as far as safety is concerned.

Keep in mind that it is important to read and follow all safety, installation and operation instructions. If you are unsure of something or have any questions, simply call the toll-free number for the company and speak to a service representative about your clicker garage door opener.

Chamberlain offers high performance clicker garage door openers, gate access systems and home access controls that are ultimately designed for do-it-yourself installation.

Starting with the opening and closing of the largest door to your home, the products from Chamberlain continue to enhance your life with access and communication control that was never before possible! With just a few products and simple programming steps, you can make access to your home easier, safer and you will also be able to customize how you come and go.

Chamberlain places intent focus on making customer satisfaction a number one priority; this is accomplished by providing the best product support available.

This company has over forty years of experience in delivering safety, security and convenience to you in every product that the company designs and manufactures, whether it is clicker garage door openers, gate operators, wireless intercom systems or any other access control and communication products.

The overall mission of The Chamberlain Group, Inc. is to exceed the expectations of each and every customer by providing exceptional products, services and customer service.

The company provides continual training processes and systems to insure compliance with quality requirements and to produce customer satisfaction.
Clicker garage door openers that are designed by Chamberlain are strong, durable, and made by the world’s largest manufacturer.

The company has revolutionized the industry and has played a vital role in taking the clicker garage door opener from a nice-to-have accessory to a home convenience necessity. Each model offers the ultimate in safety and security features and is available with innovative and fresh accessories which are designed specifically to make home access even more convenient.

The amount of time that it takes to install clicker garage door openers is quick and easy because each model is equipped with our quick-install rail system and includes easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

Several models are offered, including a ¾ HPS belt drive with the EverCharge Standby Power System that will continue to work even when the power is out. So, even if you experience a power outage due to a bad storm, you can still open up your garage door to be able to have access to your vehicle.

If you have a garage door that is higher than the average doors, between 8-10 feet, you can purchase rail extension kits that are designed to work with belt drives, chain drives and screw drive clicker garage door openers.

Stay Safe with a Clicker Garage Door Opener

For homeowners that have a garage as part of their property, clicker garage door openers are a must have!

A garage will protect your vehicle from potential damage that can be caused by extreme weather conditions as well as provide a comfortable level of security for you when you enter and exit the vehicle.

Simply push a button on clicker garage door openers and the garage door will open for you to enter.

Typically, garage doors are relatively large in size and quite heavy; if you do not own a clicker garage door opener, then you will have no other choice but to physically bend and stretch in order to open and close the door to your garage.

This type of pressure and strain has caused back problems for many people.

There is a simple solution to get rid of these potential problems! Clicker garage door openers will lessen the risk of such conditions because all you have to do to open your garage, is press the button on the controller.

You won’t have to step out of your car to fight with a heavy garage door anymore. In fact, as you are pulling up to the garage, you can press the button from a short distance and the door will automatically open.

For an added benefit, clicker garage door openers come with an instruction manual that goes through step-by-step how to connect the garage door opener with the lights in the garage. Once this process has been completed, the garage lights will automatically turn on when the garage door opens and shut off when the garage door closes.

No more fumbling around in the dark trying to find the light switch so that you can see what you are doing! This is extremely convenient for mothers with babies and small children and bringing in bags of groceries.

Clicker garage door openers are also a great enhancement as far as the security of your home is concerned. For instance, instead of leaving your garage wide open and completely accessible to thieves when you are out of the house, your garage and home will be locked up safe and sound. Clicker garage door openers will keep your garage door locked at all times and are compatible with other garage door sensors.

All that’s required is a personal code, digits that you will easily remember, and the garage door will open once you push the button. If you want to take security measures one step further, you can opt to connect your clicker garage door opener to the light control timer inside of your home. Whenever you open the garage door, the main lights in your home are also switched on. This is a great feature for people who do like to enter their home in the dark.

If you need to replace a lost or broken remote control, or just want to complement your existing garage access system, the Chamberlain Clicker Universal Remote Control is the perfect single-source solution. As far as clicker garage door openers are concerned, this unit is designed to work with a variety of brands of garage door openers, 99.9% to be exact.

It can be programmed in a matter of seconds and has the ability to control up to two different frequencies at the same time, so it is like having two remote controls in one unit. In order to operate a clicker garage door opener, all you need is a single coin cell battery—these batteries can be found at any retail location that sells hearing-aid batteries.

The following is a list of garage door manufacturers that the universal clicker garage door opener works with:

• Genie
• Linear
• Moore-o-Matic
• Stanley
• Overhead Door
• Wayne-Dalton
• Craftsman
• Chamberlain

Another great brand of clicker garage door openers to check out is the Liftmaster 375LMRemote Clicker Universal Remote Garage Door Opener Transmitter. This remote control has dual frequency capabilities just like the Chamberlain model but also is equipped to fit a dual manufacturer design. The buttons on the clicker garage door opener are independent so the device can control two different garage door openers at the same time. For handy storage, a visor clip is included with this particular remote.

This device is compatible with:

• Chamberlain
• Craftsman
• Liftmaster
• Genie Intellicode from the year 1995 – present
• Linear/Moore-o-matic from the year 1997 – present
• Wayne-Dalton from the year 1999 – present
• Stanley  from the year 1998 to present
• Overhead Door CodeDodger from the year 2005 – present

Overall, clicker garage door openers serve a variety of purposes such as providing an added sense of security for you and your family members while maintaining your physical health and adding a touch of convenience to your life. Stop doing things the hard way and enjoy what technology has to offer by investing a small amount of money into a clicker garage door opener. You will be very pleased with your decision and your life may seem a bit easier in some regards!