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