Liftmaster/Chamberlain/Craftsman Gear and Sprocket Sets:

Residential, overhead Liftmaster (et al) garage door operators use a gear and sprocket drive gear set to transmit motion from the motor to the chain or belt that lifts the door. The drive gear inside is nylon, and is designed as a 'sacrificial' part. Should your door hit an obstruction while traveling, the door tends to suddenly stop before the motor has a chance to react. When (if) that should happen, if that drive gear were not in the drive train to absorb the shock, serious damage might occur to the motor, the belt/chain, or the rail; maybe even the door itself. All these parts are much more expensive to replace than the gear set. Instead of all this damage happening, the nylon drive gear is designed to shear the teeth off, preventing the shock from harming other components. While this may seem a major inconvenience to the homeowner, it is a relatively cheap insurance policy built into the machine.

Liftmaster 41C4220A
Gear and Sprocket set for most
chain drive machines

While there are gear (only) sets available, Garage Door Supply Company (garagedoorsupplyco.com) recommends replacing the entire gear and sprocket set. The cost is about $10 more, but you get the new shaft and sprocket, new top cap and critical top bearing that you do not get in the cheaper gear (only) set, and best of all, it comes pre-assembled, saving probably an hour or two of dis- and re-assembly.

I estimate that ~90% of Liftmaster (et al) chain drive openers use the 41C4220A gear and sprocket set, BUT if you are not certain, you should find the exact model number of your gdo, and call Liftmaster-store.com at 888-880-8821, for expert advice on purchasing the correct gear and sprocket set for your machine. Installation of the replacement set can be very easy. Next post I will give some valuable hints and tips about these assemblies.

Liftmaster 41A4885-2
belt drive gear and sprocket set

Stinger GPT 90-1 for
Genie 12 DIPswitch
Compatible visor remote

Genie-Remotes.net carries a line of Stingers/Fireflies for the Genie brand of garage door openers (gdo), for the older DIPswitch programmed machines which have 12 DIPswitches ONLY and receive on 390 Mhz. If your machine has 9 DIPswitches on 390 Mhz, neither the Stinger nor the Firefly will work. If you machine is older than about 1988, it likely uses a frequency that is no longer supported, so there are NO remotes that will work with them, and your system requires the GIRUD or other external receiver to convert to the current frequency and secure technology. Call 888-519-2391 to confirm your needs.  

Stingers, but not a wasp nor a scorpion:
A support company makes  a variety of 'after market' remote controls to fill the gaps in factory remote control products. They make some called "Stinger"s, which are visor mount remotes. They also make  keychain size remotes called "Firefly"s, to cover the same brands and models of openers.


Garagedoorsupplyco.com carries Stinger/Firefly remotes to fit a wide number of different brands of opener, including: Genie, Liftmaster, MultiCode, Stanley,  Linear Delta 3, Allstar, Allstar Heddolf (trinary).  Call 888-346-3173 for help identifying which remote will work best for your machine.

Stinger 82LM mini remote
 2-button remote for Liftmaster
GREEN learn button machines

Although these remotes are not name-brand, they have proven very reliable, and easy to program. Unless you are adament about keeping the name pure, don't be afraid to consider these remotes.

Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Hey now you're a Rock Star ....
                                                                     --Shrek movie

Well, Allstar is a great brand name,  so great it cloned itself  and is aka Allister and Pulsar. They are (now?) made by Linear, and share many of the same programming traits. Allstar receivers have 3 possible technologies: Eight or nine Binary (or two position [on or off]) DIPswitch, eight or nine Trinary (or three position [on-neutral-off]) DIPswitch, and learn code. The DIPswitch machines (receivers) may have eight or nine switches. 

The learn code (non-DIPswitch) system is called MVP. 

Allstar 9931T
1-button trinary Remote
ontrol

There are lots of permutations among the various Allstar devices. The DIPswitch machines may be programmed to a DIPswitch remote, or the new and exciting "QuickCode" remote that simulates the DIPswitch settings much like the 'universal' Liftmaster 387LM keypad. Allstar devices all operate on 318Mhz. Here are some examples:

108490 Allstar Deluxe Wall Console
(works with ALL Allstar receivers)

Allstar 9921T
1-button binary Remote Control

 

110995 Allstar "Quickcode" Remote

   

Allstar 9931MT
mini 1-button remote

110548 Allstar MVP 1 Channel Receiver

110925 Allstar MVP 3 Button Remote

       The MVP system programs using a Learn button on the receiver, so it is a matter of pushing (but not holding down) the learn button on the receiver or machine, then pushing the button on the remote that you wish to program to operate the door.  Voila!

For questions on which amazing Allstar you need, contact garagedoorsupplyco.com @ 888-346-3173. They handle all the best brands of remote controls!

Multi-Code:

Multi-Code receivers operate on 300Mhz and program with 10 Dipswitches.

There are lots of these Multi-Code external receivers out there mounted on some of the much older garage door openers (gdo) that were built when DIPswitch programming was the most secure method available. the receivers have three prongs that attach directly to three of the terminals on the gdo. This makes a nice neat installation, and works fine on those gdo's that have their terminals arranged in the same order that they are on the receiver. On some of the later machines, the terminal assignment has been reversed or altered so the receiver terminals do not align operationally with those on the gdo , and negates the ability to attach the receiver directly to the machine. This requires the separate purchase of a 'terminal adapter kit'. The leads, however, are long enough to allow the receiver to be mounted on the ceiling near the gdo.

Programming is simple. Just remove the small hatch on the front of the receiver to set or note the DIPswitch code. On the remote, slide down the batter cover to expose the dipswitches, and match to the settings on the receiver. Note that on the switch, "OPEN" means "OFF", so if the rocker switch is tipped down toward the number side, that means that switch is in the "on" position. If it is down towards the OPEN side, that switch is OFF.



Contact the experts at Garage Door Supply Company at 888-346-3173 for help in choosing the right system for your needs.

Linear MegaCode:
The Linear MegaCode remote control system does not use the DIPswitch technology. Instead it uses a "learn button" on the machine or the receiver for programming. It also communicates on 318Mhz, so it will not communicate with the Delta 3 system anyway. Linear also makes garage door openers that use the MegaCode technology.

ACT34-B
Linear Megacode
4-button mini remote

Programming is substantially similar to the other rolling code technologies I have described before, but these are more like the Liftmaster "Billion Code" machines, in that each transmitter has a unique code programmed at the factory, and when you put the receiver into program mode, it memorizes the unique identity of the transmitter, and will respond to a command from that transmitter henceforth.

MDR Linear MegaCode 1-channel receiver

Call Garage Door Supply Company at 888-346-3173 for help in ordering any of these devices.

MCT-3 Linear MegaCode
3-button remote

Linear Remotes and Receivers:

Linear makes remote controls for a variety of different garage door openers. They use two different technologies. There are the MegaCode and the "Delta 3" systems. The Delta 3 system uses an eight (8) DIPswitch system transmitting on 310Mhz. All Delta 3 remotes are compatible with all Delta 3 receivers. They are NOT compatible with the Linear MegaCode system.

The Linear Delta 3 receiver is coded by setting the DIPswitches in a 'random' pattern of on and off switch positions. The remote is then programmed to the receiver by putting the 8 DIPswitches in the remote in the same pattern as the receiver. This way, the remote is able to communicate with the receiver, and give it a command to operate the gdo. You can get a variety of Delta 3 remotes and/or receivers from garagedoorsupplyco.com

DT 1-button remote

Next time: The Linear MegaCode system

375UT
"Universal" Remote

Liftmaster brand "magic" remote programming:
The Liftmaster 375UT handheld/visor mount remote control has two different methods of programming to any compatible  garage door operator (gdo), either by learn button or by DIPswitch programming. Each new remote comes with a set of instructions on how to program. With these "magic" remote devices, you need to pay very close attention to choose the correct method and follow each indicated step carefully, and in order.

First step is to open the front of the remote. If you are programming a DIPswitch gdo, set the switches inside the remote now, according to instructions. If not, proceed to step 2, which is to briefly press the 'program' button inside the remote. Then follow any other instructions specific for your machine. If you are programming to a 'learn button' type gdo, you should push the LEARN button at this time, and release it within about one second. The 'program mode' indicator light on the gdo should let you know it is ready to receive a new remote.

After that, the instructions ask you to push the button on the front of the remote you are attempting to program a certain number of times according to which make and model of gdo you have. Pick the correct one, or the remote will not synchronize with the gdo. After you have pushed the button the right number of times (from one to as many as about 20X), and hopefully heard a click in the motor unit (gdo) and/or saw the gdo light blink, don't be tempted to push that button just one more time for good luck. Push the 'program' button on the inside of the remote once again to take the remote out of program mode. The next time you press the button you have programmed on the front of the remote, the gdo should operate.

As always, I recommend you start with the garage door in the down position. If you have any problems call my friends at www.Liftmaster-store.com. Their phone number is 888-880-8821

Next time I will go over some tips about the Liftmaster 387LM Universal Wireless Keypad --actually, I didn't take time until early January 2016...

Liftmaster "magic" remote devices:
Liftmaster makes a somewhat universal remote control and a keypad that will program most Liftmaster/Chamberlain/Craftsman garage door operators (gdo's) as well as many of the most common other brands. They are able to do this because they transmit on five different frequencies simultaneously and   emulate the following different technologies:

• LiftMaster (All Models)
• CHAMBERLAIN (All Models manufactured after 1990)
• Sears CRAFTSMAN (All models manufactured after 1990)
• GENIE (All models manufactured after 1988)
• RAYNOR
• LINEAR
• MULTI-CODE
• STANLEY
• OVERHEAD DOOR (Machines Newer than 1995, aka Code Dodger)
• Wayne Dalton (372MHz Only) WILL NOT WORK FOR 303MHz Models
• Moore-O-Matic

The frequencies they transmit on are: 300, 310, 315, 318, 372, and 390 Mhz. 

The remote control is the 375LM/375UT(new version). The wireless keypad is the 387LM. Next time I will attempt to describe some basic aspects of programming these devices, because they can be daunting!

If you have any questions about whether these "magic" ("magic" is my word, noone else calls them that) remote devices will program to your specific gdo, call the kindly support staff at www.garagedoorsupplyco.com at 888-346-3173. They will help you sort it out, and if you feel inclined to buy from them, they are real good at providing tech support to their customers for their products --especially for programming your new remote device (and you won't have to be on hold nearly as long as the manufacturer's tech support lines).

891LM

823LM Remote
Light Control

    

Today I learned a new trick:
you can set up any lights, such as those on the front of your garage, or lights inside the garage (any with a switch) to turn on using a remote control from your car. The Liftmaster 823LM is a remote control switch that works using the MyQ technology. You simply replace the switch (turn off the breaker before doing this) on the wall with the 823LM. Then you can program a compatible remote such as the 891LM or 893LM, to the remote wall switch, and voila, remote control lights. This is independent of any garage door opener, so you are not limited by that, at all! NOTE: you must use the LM remote, not the 893 MAX remote for this feature. Of course, if you have one or two garage doors with (new) yellow learn buttons, you can open those doors and turn on that light using the same 893LM remote, just using a separate button.


Then, if you have a (new)YELLOW learn button machine, you can do all sorts of amazing things, like program these lights to be controlled via the internet from your smart phone, tablet, or laptop from anywhere.

If you do not have one of these fancy new machines, you may still be able to avail yourselves of the new technology if you have any brand of garage door opener that has safety sensors. You would need to add some hardware, but it is do-able. Let me know if you have any questions about how to do that. I can answer your questions here or you can visit the great folks at Liftmaster-Store.com or call them at 888-880-8821. Imagine, high-tech garage door openers. Crazy, I know.

RETURN TO LIFTMASTER PLACE:
Now for the can of worms I have been promising you. Yummy, I can tell you!  Here are the exceptions to all the rules for LIftmaster remotes I have told you in the past.

61LM vs. 81LM:  In some cases, (not recommended however) you can use a 61LM in place of an 81LM remote, because the LIftmaster 81LM remotes are no longer available. BUT, you cannot use an 81LM in place of a 61LM. Go figure... I recommend if you need to program to a GREEN learn button machine, that you use an aftermarket remote called a Stinger 81LM/82LM or a keychain-sized remote called a Firefly 81LM/ or 82LM (if you have two doors). These off-brand remotes are designed to be compatible with the the no-longer made 81LM remotes, and they are very reliable.

893MAX / 890MAX / 877MAX: the MAX brothers (all right, remote control devices) are the big exception to the rules. They WILL program to the GREEN, RED/ORANGE, PURPLE, and (new)YELLOW learn button machines. They will not program to the (old)yellow, gray, or white learn buttons or any previous DIPswitch machines. They are called MAX I guess because they will program the maximum variety of different Liftmaster rolling code technologies. The good folks at www.garagedoorsupplyco.com have a great selection of these versatile bad boys.

893MAX

890MAX

877MAX

      Be sure to follow the programming instruction carefully. Here are a couple of hints that may save you from a migraine. To program any applicable machine, press the button you are programming (or the ENTER button on the keypad):
(new)YELLOW = 1X
GREEN = 2X
RED/ORANGE = 3X
PURPLE = 4X
--This sets the correct technology in the remote device so every time after that  when you push the button it will work on the first push. Woo-Hoo

Now on to the various Genie DIPswitch machines. The Genie master remote has 12 DIPswitches, which are trinary or 3-position switches. The reason they are trinary is to accommodate the Genie DIPswitch gate operators. All of the Genie 9 or 12 DIPswitch garage door operators have two position DIPswitches, so if that is what you are programming to, you have to be careful to make sure that ALL switches you are setting are moved from the middle or neutral position they are shipped in. If you have a 9 switch machine, switch positions 10, 11, and 12 will remain in the neutral position. Confused yet? Me too. Let's look at each machine separately, and whichever machine you have. just focus on that type, okay?

Genie Remote Controls, Master Remote, continued:
NOTE: For all Genie garage door operators, every time you have a failed programming attempt with the GM3T-BX Master Remote (only), regardless of which type of Genie machine you are trying to sync to, you will need to stop, press the "A" button, then press the button on the front of the remote you have been trying to program 3 times. This is done to re-set the remote button to the start setting so it can be more easily programmed, and so you don't end up in Never-Never Land. In order to be sure you buy the correct remote for your Genie opener, find your operator's model number and call the experts at 888-519-2391, or visit them at http://genie-remotes.net/genie-remotes.html


Genie Gate Operator:  These machines use a 9 DIPswitch 3-position switch, so each individual switch may be in the "+" or "On" position; the "0" or neutral position; or the "-" or "Off" position. Of course, switches 10-12 will be in the "0" position, always for these machines.
1) Set the 9 switches to match those on the operator first.
2) Press the "B" button inside the remote battery compartment, so the amber light starts to blink.
3) Since there is no learn code button, there is no step for that
4) Press and release the button you wish to program. Repeat up to 4 times, and the gate should operate. If not, double check your switch settings, re-set the remote as noted above, and repeat steps 2) and 4).

Genie 9 DIPswitch garage door Operator:  These machines use a 9 DIPswitch 2-position switch, so each individual switch from 1-9 will be in the ON or OFF positions only, and switches 10-12 will be in the neutral position only.
1) Set the 9 switches to match those on the operator first.
2) Press the "D" button inside the remote battery compartment, so the amber light starts to blink.
3) Since there is no learn code button, there is no step for that
4) Press and release the button you wish to program. Repeat up to 4 times, and the door should operate. (remember to start with the door in the down or closed position). If not, double check your switch settings, re-set the remote as noted above, and repeat steps 2) and 4).

Genie 12 DIPswitch garage door Operator:  These machines use a 12 DIPswitch 2-position switch, so each individual switch from 1-12 will be in the ON or OFF positions only. No DIPswitches will be in the neutral position.
1) Set the 12 switches to match those on the operator first.
2) Press the "C" button inside the remote battery compartment, so the amber light starts to blink.
3) Since there is no learn code button, there is no step for that
4) Press and release the button you wish to program. Repeat up to 4 times, and the door should operate. (remember to start with the door in the down or closed position). If not, double check your switch settings, re-set the remote as noted above, and repeat steps 2) and 4).

There you have it, boys and girls. Easy-breezy, no? Remember, if at first you don't succeed, have patience and try, try again. Most likely, it will work the first time if you follow the easy steps above, and use the correct programming method for your Genie operator.

Genie Remote Controls:
I am interrupting my discourse on Liftmaster garage door openers because I need a break for a day, want to keep you hanging on, and because I am thinking of Genie with the light... red blinking light (hmm, I don't think I have much of a future as a poet)....

Genie remotes have different generations, much like, but different from, Liftmaster. Therefore, they are not cross-compatible, even though they use some of the same frequencies. Caveat: see my continuation of Liftmaster next week for two glaring exceptions to all my compatibility rules thus far.

The most enigmatic of the Genie remotes in current production is the "Master Remote", the GM3T-BX. It is called the master remote because it can effectively be programmed to Genie garage door operators made from at least the late 1980s to today. Because it is so versatile, it is necessarily trickier than most other remotes to program. It will program to Genie garage door openers (gdo's), that have 9 two-position DIPswitches, to 9 three-position DIPSwitches on Genie Gate operators, to 12 two-position DIPswitches on gdo's, and also to the various Intellicode rolling code versions. Therefore, you must carefully follow the instructions for the specific operator that you have in order to achieve success. Gary at garagedoorsupplyco.com has posted some great instructions online, along with a utube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzMBdxey0HI  where he goes visually through the steps to program which is really great for those of us who are visually oriented. In my blog I am going to just use simple descriptions and sometimes pictures to try to contribute to the overall knowledge base available for this 'supercharged' Genie remote. First of all, this remote transmits on two different frequencies. It transmits on 315 Mhz when you press the button one time. The next time it transmits on 390 Mhz, and just alternates every time. So, if your door doesn't open the first time you press the button, press it again to make sure you have sent on the correct frequency for your machine.

GM3T-BX
the Genie Master Remote

Let's start with the intellicode programming, in order to build a base for understanding the other methods:
First: Open the back of the remote control -- this applies to ALL programming methods on this remote!
If there is plastic slip under the battery terminal, remove it so the remote will have power. Make sure the battery stays in the holder.

Inside the back of the remote you will see at the top, a 12 three-position DIPswitch which we will discuss later. It is not used for programming intellicode machines. Then below that a curved strip of tape with A, B, C, D on it. Underneath these letters are small switches. These switches select the programming method. For intellicode machines, the "A" switch is the only one we will be concerned with.
Below the tape switches in the battery, rests a commonly found CR2032 lithium watch-type cell. To the bottom right of the battery is a small amber LED. When any one of the above switches is pressed, this light will blink for about 30 seconds, indicating that the remote is in programming mode for the selected method or technology.

Three steps are required to program to Intellicode machines: 1) selecting the "A" button; 2) pressing the "learn code" button on the garage door operator; and then 3) pressing the selected button on the front of the remote. Let me give the details:

back of remote with battery cover removed

1) selecting the "A" button:  press "A" until the amber light inside the remote starts to blink. If it doesn't, press a bit harder. If that doesn't work, check the contact fingers on the battery to make sure they are bent down enough to make good contact. Once the light starts to flash, move immediately to the next step
2) press the "learn code" button on the garage door operator: Do NOT hold this button down for more than about a second or you run the risk of erasing the memory. Most programming mistakes occur where one remote is being programmed and all the other remotes previously programmed to it quit working. This is due to holding the learn code button too long. After about six seconds, the memory on the operator is erased, and no other remote devices will work until they are re-programmed to the machine.
3) press the selected button on the front of the remote:  The master remote has three buttons on the front, with a small LED cleverly hidden between the middle and bottom buttons. --If you have one or two garage doors to program to, I recommend the top and/or middle buttons. The bottom button is pre-programmed to Genie's short-lived Intellicode Series III system, and doesn't work without switching modes on any other series or even the DIPswitch models. To determine what mode you remote is in at any time, especially if you have been having trouble getting the remote to work suddenly, press the button you have been using (after it has been programmed) for a few seconds and check the LED between the buttons. If the light is solid red, while holding the button, you are in intellicode mode. If it is blinking red, you are in DIPswitch mode. If it should be green, you are in Series III mode. Should you find your button in the wrong mode, hold the button down for up to about 15 seconds, and it should change mode. You may have to repeat the process until you get into the correct mode.-- ANYWAY, on to the instruction: You have selected the "A" button, and immediately pressed and released the "learn code" button,. Press your selected button on the front of the remote and release it. Repeat this last step up to four times within 30 seconds, until the door operates. BTW, it is wise to start with your garage door in the down position. This ensures a best chance at verifying the programming as opposed to being confused by other potential problems, such as safety sensor malfunctions, which have confounded many customers. Ask me about that if you have questions....
Well, this has gone on long enough, so I will have to talk about the B,C, and D buttons next time, and further revelations on Liftmaster next week.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and remember to thank God for all the blessings we enjoy as Americans, not the least of which is our right to thank God personally every day for all He does for us. May He continue to bless us and keep us FREE, and may we never forget He is the Creator.

Chamberlain / Liftmaster Remotes: continued (Part IV):
Today we get to discuss the Liftmaster (new) YELLOW learn button machine.  [Aside: I call it the "(new) YELLOW" learn button to differentiate it from the earlier hybrid yellow learn button machine which was used until 1993, with the 6Xlm remote control, which had DIPswitches and programmed to either the 8 or 9 DIPswitch machines or the (old) yellow, gray, or white learn button machines]

I am excited about the (new) YELLOW learn button machines, which have been produced since 2011, because there are some real advantages for technically savvy owners. First let me describe the technology, then I will talk about how to take advantage of the new features.

(new) YELLOW learn button Logic Board
Note the 'round' learn button  in the upper right

The YELLOW learn button machines' receivers receive on 310/315/390 Mhz simultaneously for increased reliability, but YELLOW learn button machines are not compatible with either the purple (315 Mhz) nor the red/orange (390 Mhz) learn button remotes, and vise-versa. There are some exceptions that I will talk about later, but for now assume that the various colors of learn buttons (which, if you remember, identify the different generations or technologies Liftmaster has used) are NOT interchangeable. To further help identify the generation, the antenna wire which hangs down below the machine is colored the same as the learn button; and many people I talk to can identify the purple or yellow antenna wire colors. Most earlier generation antenna wires seem to appear to be black or gray, maybe because of age, dust,  poor lighting, etc., so don't depend on what color the antenna wire looks like, unless it is clearly identifiable. The remote controls for the YELLOW learn button machines are in the 8XXLM family, such as the 891LM, the 893LM, and the 877LM keypad. Please do not confuse the LM version with another series of remotes, which begin with 8XX, but end in MAX instead of LM. More about those next time....

891LM

One big advantage of the YELLOW learn button machines is that they can be programmed via the available smart wall console/ control panel, which avoids having to climb up on a step-stool or ladder to find the button on the overhead machine. The wall consoles are currently available in six models, with varying features. They are 88XLM wall consoles. All of these models include the basic open/close button, with a separate light on/off switch for the garage door operator light, and a "vacation" switch that can lock out all remote devices programmed to open the door. The 882LM is the base model with these features. Other models have additional useful features as well.

880LM deluxe Wall Console / Control Panel

Note, the 883LM is the only single function push-button open/close switch that will work with the (new) YELLOW learn button machines, older garage door single feature buttons will not work.

883LM

The 78LM or wireless 378LM also work but without the advanced features of the MyQ technology.

The YELLOW learn button machines are compatible with Liftmaster's MyQ technology, which is where they really shine. MyQ allows the user to monitor and control the garage door operator from anywhere, and securely using your smartphone, tablet, or computer, with a free program provided and supported by Liftmaster. (Depending on the model of your operator, you may need an internet gateway and/or other accessories to take advantage of this technology.) My friends at Garagedoorsupplyco.com can help you select the correct accessories to take advantage of your (new) YELLOW learn button garage door opener, or even get you an entire new belt or chain drive machine, if it is time to replace your existing ancient relic.

Next time, I want to talk about remotes and possible compatibilities between Liftmaster remote controls. Stay tuned....

Chamberlain / Liftmaster Remotes: continued (Part III)
The latest versions of the Liftmaster "rolling code" technology use a purple or a (new) yellow learn button. Let me describe the characteristics of the PURPLE learn button technology:

PURPLE learn button Logic board

The PURPLE learn button machines receive on 315 Mhz, rather than the earlier 390 Mhz. This new frequency has been determined to be somewhat less susceptible to outside signal interference. Every time the remote transmitter button is pressed, a different code is sent to the receiver, as before. The reason it has a PURPLE learn button is to differentiate it from the red learn button machines, because the remote transmitters operate on different frequencies, and thus are not compatible. The PURPLE learn button machines were made beginning in 2005 and are still currently made. Remotes made for the PURPLE learn button display this symbol:     They are in the 37XLM family, i.e.,  371LM, 373LM, and 377LM wireless keypad. Of course, being currently in production, these are all still available.

371LM remote transmitter

377LM wireless keypad

   
If you want to compare any of these remotes to yours, visit www.liftmaster-store.com . They have great prices and nationwide delivery. They conveniently have the various remotes listed by the technology and/or the color of learn button to make it easy for customers to find the correct remote control. : )

Next time I will talk about the latest Liftmaster 'flagship' technology, the (new) yellow learn button.

971LM

Red learn button logic board panel

Chamberlain / Liftmaster Remotes: continued (Part II):
Last post I talked about two earlier versions of Liftmaster receiver technology. This time I want to move to the next generation of remote controls, the "rolling code" technology, called "Security +". This version is identified on the powerhead by a RED or ORANGE square button, located above the antenna wire. This technology was used on machines made by Liftmaster between 1997 and 2005. This machine uses the 97XLM series of remotes, of which the 971LM is still available.

With the rolling code technology, every time the user presses the programmed button on the remote, a different code is transmitted to the receiver. When the remote is programmed, the receiver memorizes the identity of the remote, so the code doesn't matter. What this random code generation does, is prevent some potential thief with a scanner from learning the code of your operator, and cloning that code to use to get into your garage. The RED learn button machines receive on the same 390 Mhz, but as you can see, the technology is different than either the green learn button or the yellow/white/gray//DIPswitch technology I talked about yesterday, because both the transmitter and the receiver have to 'speak' the same language, so to say, in order to communicate.

Not only are the newer technology (post DIPswitch) remotes easier to program, but they are more secure. The only drawback is that there is a limit to the memory capacity of the powerhead of only 7 remote devices (for residential operators). This means that unless or until you specifically erase all devices from the memory in your learn button machine, any remote devices, including wireless keypads, will stay in memory, even if they wear out or get lost or stolen. If you reach the maximum memory limit, either the receiver will refuse to accept a new remote device or it may randomly kick out previously programmed devices to make room for the new one. That is one area where the older DIPswitch machines have both an advantage and disadvantage: Virtually any number of compatible remotes can be programmed by DIPswitch to open a garage door or gate, which is great for gated communities for instance. The downside is that you can't realistically limit the number of remotes which can be programmed in order to control who has access.

Erasing the memory of any of the 'new' technology machines is very easy --maybe too easy in some cases: When you press the smart button, also known as the learn button, learn code button, or program button on the powerhead, while programming a new remote device, you must only press that button for about a second; just long enough for the indicator light to come on. If you hold that same button for 6-10 seconds or more, the memory is erased and NO remote devices held in memory  in that machine will work... until you RE-program them into the machine, using the correct instructions for your remote device.

Okay, that's enough blather for today. Next time we will attempt to get to the newest Liftmaster technologies, using the purple and (new) yellow learn buttons. Remember to check out www.Liftmaster-store.com for any new remotes you may need for the technologies we have discussed. Also, hopefully next time we can talk about the newest Liftmaster technologies, the purple and (new) yellow learn buttons machines.

Here's a hint for owners of Stanley dipswitch programmed openers using the 1050 remote:

For some reason, the dipswitches in the Stanley 1050 remote are marked "Open" on one side, and "Closed" on the other side. A logical person might think that 'Open' means the circuit is completed when the switch is moved to that side, right? Not so fast! The terms 'Open' and 'Closed' are electronic terms, so 'Open' means the circuit is open, (imagine a knife switch being moved up, away from the contacts),  as in the switch is NOT making a path for electricity. "Closed" means the circuit (imagine a knife switch being moved down, touching the contacts on the other side of the circuit so it makes a path for electricity) is actually ON. In short, OPEN = OFF or "-" as some other dipswitches are marked. CLOSED = ON or "+" for the opposite mode. This marking has caused confusion among many Stanley garage door opener owners trying to program their 105015 remote transmitter
.

Always carefully check the switch positions on the overhead machine (the powerhead, as it is called), and note which is "off" and which is "on" so you can correctly set the switches in the remote to match the circuit settings. garagedoorsupplyco.com provides free customer technical support on all remotes and for other parts they sell.

Stanley 105015 remote showing "OPEN" direction, which means "off" or "-" on
other types of DIPswtiches.

standard type DIPswitch showing "ON"
or "+" position which equals the "CLOSED" position
on Stanley DIPswitches

Today I learned something about Wayne Dalton Wizard (Challenger) garage door openers: Some of them can use the Multi-Code remote control, because the internal (built-in) receiver in the machine uses a frequency of 300 Mhz, and programs with 10 dipswitches. Hooray for those lucky souls who have a Wayne Dalton 2113 or 2115 that can use the Multi-Code transmitters (remote controls).

Unfortunately, there are many of those Wayne Dalton model 2113 or 2115 machines that use a different frequency that is unsupported by any current remote control manufacturers that I am aware of. There is hope for those owners, however: Multi-Code makes what is called an 'external' receiver that by-passes the internal receiver and still operates the garage door. When one of these is attached to the model 2113 or 2115 operating on a different frequency from 300 Mhz, the same Multi-Code remote control transmitter can then be used and programmed to the new external receiver, so it will open that garage door.

This is good news for those owners since they now can continue to use those older machines until they wear out. My friends at garagedoorsupplyco.com , an online wholesaler, can set you up with either option at a fantastic price.