Remote controls for garage door openers have come a long way. Today, you can choose from one button, two button, three button or four button remotes. Among other things, many have a remote lockout feature which basically turns off the radio receiver while you are on vacation.
The availability of accessories has increased as well like wireless keypads and keychain remotes. The article below brings you up to date on the latest features and some of the new security options that are recommended.
Latest Garage Door Opener Remote Technology Provides Security
Today’s garage door opener remotes use rolling code technology. The code changes each time you use your remote. Code grabbers are not able to acquire these new codes, only the one that was used. The last code no longer works since the system has already changed the code used.
The earliest remote transmitters were similar to remote bomb detonators used in WWII. They used a single radio frequency to activate the garage door opener. There was no security as anyone with a garage door opener remote could open any garage door equipped with an automatic door opener.
In the 1970′s “dip switch” transmitters were developed to provide some security. Remotes came with 8 dip switches to set the transmitter frequency. These 8 switches provided 256 possible code combinations.
This was still not a great deal of security but a much better solution than before.
Unfortunately, few owners took advantage of this security option by changing dip switch settings from the factory default settings. It was still easy for thieves to find operators they could activate with a transmitter set at factory default.
This problem was solved by providing remotes with rolling code technology. Codes change automatically every time the operator is used. Each time a code is transmitted the system automatically creates a new code using an encoder. With billions of code possibilities, the same code is never used twice.
When you buy a remote control for your garage door opener, all the installation and code setting instructions are included.
Your garage door opener owner’s manual provides instructions for reprogramming your devices. It also gives the steps to erase all code settings before reprogramming all your remotes in the event an operator is lost or stolen.
Don Stuart is a retired handyman who writes about garage door openers. Go to his website for more information about Garage Door Opener Accessories.
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May 22 2008 | Garage Door Openers | No Comments »
Some of the latest innovations in garage door openers involve safety, quality and security, providing protection against burglars and entrapment. Among the more recent conveniences are such things as fingerprint keyless entry and multi-function remote controls that turn on lights inside the home as well as opening garage doors.
However, there are some basics that all automatic garage door opener systems have, and it’s well to have an understanding of them when it comes time to have one installed or if you’re among the do-it-yourself crowd. In the article that follows, you’ll find the basics you will need to know about these handy devices.
Some Considerations About Garage Door Openers
Did you ever have to get out of the car in a chilly winter night, or while a thunderous shower is pouring down, to open the garage door? Have you thought about how to make it possible to automatically open without having to leave the car? Installing a garage door open is the solution to such annoyances. A garage door opener is a motorized mechanism that helps in automatically opening and closing a garage door, without the application of manual labor. These automations can be controlled by switches installed on the garage walls, or by remote controls.
Once you have taken the decision to purchase a garage door opener, you need to take into consideration certain aspects of this invaluable device:
The Drive System
This is of tow types, the screw-drive system and the chain drive system. Some manufacturers also offer computer controlled drive appliances, but the availability of this system is limited.
• In a screw-drive system, the machinery for hoisting the door slides along a threaded shaft made of steel. Only a few rotating parts are used in the manufacture of these systems, so the maintenance is simple. The garage ceiling houses the body of the device.
• In a chain-drive system, the door is made to move upwards and downwards along its trails by the implementation of a metal chain. These are inexpensive and hence are most popular. However, these systems are noisy. The main unit is installed at the centre of the garage ceiling.
• A belt-drive structure makes the use of a rubber belt to maneuver the opener. This is the most expensive system.
• Computer-controlled drive machineries do not have the need of chains or screws. The article rests directly on top of the garage door thus the ceiling is left unoccupied. So this system is very useful for garages with limited headspace.
Power of the Motor
The larger motors with greater horsepower not only last longer, but also are absolutely necessary for maneuvering double doors. You should check if the motor starts and stops smoothly and makes the least noise while in operation.
Speed of Operation
The best quality garage door openers work at a high speed. This eliminates the need to wait at the garage door for long.
Safety
All garage door openers have features that cause the door to move in the reverse direction if it encounters some obstacle it in its path while in operation. This prevents the door from crushing any object under its weight. The inclusion of this feature is mandatory according to federal laws. An electronic infrared beam that activates the safety system when it meets an obstruction is used to direct these automatic reversion sensors.
To prevent the stealth of the transmission signals, the garage door openers use a technology that changes that emanating code every time the device is used.
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garage,
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home improvement,
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May 21 2008 | Garage Door Openers | No Comments »