I have owned both chain drive and screw drive openers, most recently a Genie screw-drive unit I installed about 18 years ago. As I am now looking for a replacement, I would much appreciate any thoughts about what is a really durable and low maintenance replacement.
I see screw, belt, and chain drives being sold, and there may be other methods used now as well. Is any one approach vastly superior, and is any specific brand really exceptional?
Thanks in advance.
Smarty
Just re-read what you wrote: "most recently a Genie screw-drive unit I installed about 18 years ago."
Frankly they all can last a long time, but I favor the screw drive.
If you got 18 years out of the screwdrive, why change?
Since I install then professionally sometimes, I prefer the Chamberlain all chain drive with one piece rail.
Either should last about 10 to 20 years.
My criteria is which model will be the easiest to find parts for if something breaks.
Repair parts is indeed a very big issue. I did have very good service from my 18 year old Genie screw drive, but I now see that the long track and drive screw have been replaced with shorter pieces which are spliced together at the job site. I also get the impression that the whole unit, including motor and drive mechanism is lighter and cheaper in construction. I am actually bothered by the fact that my 18 year old unit cost me about $140 and the replacement unit sells for only $30 bucks more, 18 years later. Before committing to another Genie screw drive unit strictly based on past performance, I want to see if there are newer, better, more recent designs which I should consider.
Thanks for helping me and I very much appreciate any advice.
Smarty
Thanks Nelson. My first unit was a chain drive and it seemed to require adjustment once a year or more to keep it working right. Is this still an issue with the chain drive units, or did I have a poorly designed one? I pulled the chain unit out after 5 or 6 years and put in the Genie screw drive, and never had to do anything other than oil / lube it occasionally, and rarely adjust the limit switch sensitivity.
Smarty
the belt drives are quieter and faster. My overhead door units have metal sprockets and one piece tracks. The ten footer is a belt, the nine footer is a chain.
other than the links already provided? Dunno. I just went with Overhead door, 'cause they had what I needed. A residential style opener for a 10' door.
Thanks very much. I went to the Overhead Door web site at:
Confusing.......
Smarty
Overhead Door owns Genie. Looking at the two web sites, the Genie Pro Stealth appears to be the same opener as the Overhead Door Phantom.
Very very interesting. I would have never made that connection. Thanks Seth!!
Wayne Dalton interesting unit. My parent's has had one on a Wayne Dalton double door for 3.5 years with no problems. They also make a unit for non Wayne Dalton doors:
Thanks Art. What a radically different approach! I never realized that such a device exists. I watched the installation video on their website and it seems within the realm of a good DIY person. I wonder what they charge to put one of these units in? I imagine it is quite expensive but who knows. The low noise is a nice plus...
Smarty
I put in a idrive Torsion when they first came out in my area a little over 3 yrs ago. I absolutely love both how quiet the unit is and how little space it takes up! On the minus side, the gearing in mine stripped and locked up in the third year. I've also gone through premature failure on the set of two remotes that came with the unit. The remotes would not stay latched shut - touching them would make them pop open and their batteries spill out.
To their credit, Wayne Dalton replaced all the items with no problems, but it was a self-install and the rep was hinting that WD may not re-replace the unit if it strips out again. So, I'm a little leery about their build quality and how far their warranty service actually goes.
They may stand behind their product a little better if its installed by a rep. I think they suspect that my garage door is mis-balanced or is sticking (though the door was professionally installed and opens manually one-handed). That's OK, I suspect their original design didn't have enough mechanical margin. The replacement unit has some noticable design changes in the electronics, so I'm hoping that they also beefed up the gearing a little too...
Ya, I'll bet those are cheap.
I am coming to the conclusion that.....I've been so satisfied with my prior Genie screw drive unit after 18 years of solid use that I should just go out and buy another one, even though something better may be out there. Thanks to all for great assistance.
Smarty
Wayne Dalton store near me is excellent on service. I had them fix an opener. 9 months later the spring broke in the door. Completely unrelated failures but they did not charge me any labor on the second repair because they had fixed the opener for the same door 9 months earlier.
I've had the Genie screw drives at 2 houses over about 30 years. 1st one was the one-piece drive, more recently the 2 piece. They both worked well. Only thing I don't like about the newer ones is the way they shut off the light automatically when the door is UP (on the old one the light remained on indefinitely when the door was open). Usually if the door is up, I'm out there & if I want the light OFF, I'll shut it off. Plus on more than one occasion with the old one, I'd glance out & see the light on in the garage & it would remind me I had forgotten to shut the door. I'm sure this is an energy thing, but especially with compact fluorescent the energy is negligible, plus I think having the light ON when the door is open deters theft. As to screw or chain, all other things being equal, a screw drive has FAR fewer moving parts, so will be more reliable. It's just a better design, again all other things being equal.
As an interesting aside, according to the inflation calculator at
Dan
I agree with everything you've said Dan, and conclude that another Genie screw drive is the way to go. I too am disappointed with the change in the lighting control, and also both rely on the light when I am out there in the garage and also will occasionally be reminded that the door is open by seeing the lights. All considered, I will still get the new Genie and live with the modern "feature". The price is really reasonable, all considered.
Thanks again,
Smarty
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