Belt driven, chain driven or direct drive motor?
There are three main types of garage door openers on the market: belt driven, chain driven and direct drive. Finding the right motor for your door will depend on your door, requirements and budget.
Let’s take a closer look at the three different motor types…
1. Belt driven garage door motors
Belt drive openers run on a rubber belt and are just as reliable as chain drives. They are center-mounted and attach to your door via the hockey arm connector. Belt drive openers are virtually silent when operating. So if your garage is attached to the house, and you hate the noise involved with garage doors, belt driven motors are a good choice. There are different brands and models to suit all door sizes and weights. However, belt drive door motors cost more than chain drives.
2. Chain driven garage door motors
Chain driven garage door motors are similar to belt driven. However, they operate via a chain and sprocket. While they are not as quiet as their belt driven counterparts, the noise is not so noticeable. They are a more cost-effective option. And usually, parts are more readily available if a particular component breaks down (e.g. gear drive, chain replacement, etc.) Chain driven motors are also center-mounted and attach to your door via the hockey arm connector. There are different brands and models to suit all garage door sizes and weights.
3. Direct drive garage door motors
The main difference in a direct drive is that it drives direct to the torsion springs. There is no belt or chain, and they are also nicely positioned at the side of your garage door, creating space in the centre of the garage ceiling. The amount of choice is much more limited. However, there are also fewer components to break down as fewer components are used. Direct drive motors are used on roller doors as well as sectional garage doors.
How long does it take to install a garage door motor?
With any of the above motors, expect between 1.5 – 2 hours’ professional installation. Direct drives can sometimes take more time due to the intricacies of the installation. Any professional garage door technician will ensure that the door has been fully serviced before setting your new motor up. This is because not doing so risks your new motor being worn down in a short space of time.
What’s the difference in lifespan?
The difference in lifespan is the same for any garage door motor. The motor is only as good as its servicing. This is providing the one installed is suitable to the garage door size/requirements. Put simply, if you had a Porsche Boxter and a Hyundai Getz, but didn’t service either, they’d both develop issues at the same number of kilometres. Your door is no different. That’s why we stress the importance of regular servicing. Any motor that is running a heavy, unserviced door will break down due to excessive wear and tear. When your garage door motor is installed, the door should have a full service by professional technicians to ensure it’s running correctly from the start. Most garage door openers are expected to last between 9–15 years when cared for correctly.
Which brand of garage door motor should I choose?
Belt driven motors
B&D Cad S: Considered the gold class of belt driven motors, it’s feature include:
- soft start and stop
- can operate larger doors
- comes with 2 remotes
- 7-year warranty as standard
This operator can also be accessorised with PE beams, battery back-up for when you have a power failure, smartphone operation pack via the B&D app, auto lock feature * on B&D Doors, keypad entry and pet safe mode.
Merlin Tilt Master: This motor is one of the best belt-driven motors on the market. Its features include:
- soft start and stop
- pet safe features
- 5 to 7-year warranty
The Merlin Tilt Master can be purchased with additional accessories such as battery back-up for when you have a power failure, PE Beams and keypad entry control. When installed by Guardian Doors, we lodge your warranty on your behalf, ensuring coverage from installation.
Chain driven motors
Guardian 21230L: Our technicians’ choice brands for a chain-driven motor would be the Guardian 21230L. This is supplied with:
- all chain and manual release components
- three remotes
The Guardian 21230L motor can also be upgraded to include PE Beams and an entry keypad to save on purchasing remote controls, and if purchased by Guardian Doors, comes with an extended 5-year warranty.
Direct Drive motors
Merlin Jackshaft: The Merlin Jackshaft operator comes with:
- 3 x remotes
- 7-year warranty
Additional accessories such as PE beams, keypad entry control and slow start/stop features are available.
ATA GDO6: As with the jackshaft, the ATA GD06 comes with:
- 3 x remotes
- 5-year warranty
Additional accessories include battery back-up systems, keypad entry systems, pet safe feature and PE Beams (to suit your requirements).
Still unsure?
If you’d like to replace or upgrade your garage door motor, call Guardian Doors. We’ll discuss all the options available, so you can make an informed decision on the best opener for your needs.
Talk to Guardian Doors about your garage door today: (08) 9408 1602
