Jackshaft Opener: Installation requirements for the Jackshaft Openers
Residential Jackshaft Openers (RJO) are intended for garages and unique applications that don't allow for a traditional garage door opener, such as garages with low headroom, cathedral or obstructed ceilings.
In order for the RJO to be installed, a garage door must meet the following conditions:
- Garage Door must be properly balanced
- Torsion Bar:
- 1 inch diameter
- Drum Diameter: The diameter of the drum will limit the weight of the garage door.
- 3 to 3.9 inch diameter drum. Will support garage doors up to 430 lbs
- 4 to 6 inch diameter drum. Will support garage doors up to 850 lbs.
- Vertical Lift Garage Doors will use 10" tapered drums
- No more than 54 inches of high lift
- Door Requirement: Be no taller than 14 feet in height, 18 feet in width, and the area must not exceed 180 square feet
- Track Radius: Recommendation is 15" Radius Tracks, Minimum 12" Radius, Maximum 32"
- Quick turn brackets may be necessary with low headroom 12" radius track
- Door Weight
- Models 3800, 8500, RJO20 and RJO20C can support up to 650 pounds
- *Models 8500W, 8500WRGD and 8500WLA can support up to 850 pounds. Internal battery MUST be installed.
- Have a minimum of 8.5" between the side garage wall and the end of the torsion bar
- The torsion bar must extend at least 1-1/2 inches (3.81 cm) past bearing plate and be free of damage
- Standard Garage Door, either a Single or Double Garage door using a minimum of 12" radius track up to 32" radius track
- High Lift: A high lift door, starts an upward movement prior to the door turning to a horizontal state. The high lift door works well with an RJO because the lower panel is already in the vertical tracks
- Follow the pitch: A follow the pitch is a door which already has a downward angle on it as it descends to the closed position. These types of doors typically use high-lift drums
There may be some instances where the RJO is opening and closing at a slower pace than normal. This is going to be caused by the drum being 3 to 3.9 inches compared to the standard 4 to 6 inches. Also, if the garage door is using a 3 inch drum, the RJO may only open a door 10 feet compared to opening a door 14 feet high when using a 4 inch drum.
Q&A
Q: Can I install an RJO on a garage door which exceeds 14 feet high or 18 feet wide or 180 square feet?
A: The RJO has been tested on garage doors up to 14 feet high or 18 feet wide with weight up to 850* pounds. The RJO is not certified or tested to work on garage door outside of the described door specifications or 180 square feet.
See Also:
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