
IMPORTANT:
Read this before you start
Introduction
A garage door opener has become an almost indispensable part of modern life. It offers an overwhelming number of convenience and safety features that will make you wonder how you lived without one for so long. On a rainy night, the last thing you want to do is climb out of your car and heave the garage door open manually. Some garage door openers include an outdoor keypad that enables you to punch in a code to open the door – just in case you don’t have the remote control or your house keys. From a safety standpoint, a garage door opener securely holds the garage door shut, preventing entry by intruders. It also has sensors that reverse the door when closing on an obstruction.
Installation procedures can vary from one manufacturer to another. However, many of the installation concepts are the same. The information in this tutorial will give you a good idea of what you can expect. The best advice is to also follow the instructions that come with your new garage door opener. |

Skill Level & Time
To Complete
• Beginner - 4 to 5 hours
• Intermediate - 3 to 4 hours
• Advanced - 2 to 3 hours
Cautions
Make sure that you have a grounded receptacle within reach of the new garage door opener. Ideally this should be a GFCI outlet (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter).
Before you install the garage door opener, make sure that the door is functioning properly and the spring tension is correct. To test the spring tension, open the door halfway and let go. If it stays in this position then the tension is correct. Otherwise you should contact a garage door specialist to adjust the tension.
Helpful Tips There are a few different types of rails that garage door opener manufacturers use to guide the lifting mechanism. Newer openers use a square-shaped bar. Another possibility is a T-shaped rail. They both work well, but the assembly may differ.
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