How to Wire a Door Opener

A garage door opener will prevent you from having to get in and out of the car to put the car in the garage. You can install a garage door opener in a day. Once the garage door opener is in place, it is simple to wire the door opener. Check with your local building codes to see if the door opener needs to be permanently wired. In most cases you can plug the opener into a nearby electrical outlet.

Things You'll Need

• Garage door opener and included pieces
• Wrench
• Pencil
• Ladder
• Wooden shims
• Lag screws
• Staple gun
• Screwdriver

Instructions

Garage Door Opener Installation

1. Connect the included T-rail (bar-shaped rail) pieces together per manufacturer's directions. Bolt the idler pulley to the guide rails at the end closest to the garage door.

2. Slide the trolley onto the rails. Attach the rails to the top of the opener unit with a wrench and the included bolt.

3. Wrap the chain or belt of the opener around the trolley and the idler pulley per manufacturer directions. Wrap the chain around the sprocket on the opener motor. Attach the chain to the trolley with the provided hardware.

4. Open the garage door. Locate the highest point that the door travels on the tracks. Add approximately two inches to this length and mark the point. Locate the center of the door and mark it. You will now have two perpendicular marks on the ceiling. Close the garage door.

5. Mount the header bracket into place above the garage door with screws. Screw the bracket directly into the studs on the wall.

6. Attach the idler pulley end of the assembled garage door opener to the header bracket above the garage door.

7. Lift the motor end of the door opener assembly, and place it on top of a ladder. The rail of the assembly should be two inches above the door tracks. Place wooden shims beneath the assembly until it is at the correct height.

8. Attach the mounting bracket above the garage door motor with lag screws. Install the hanging brackets per manufacturer directions, and bolt the motor to the brackets with a wrench.

9. Install the door controls by running the wires along the ceiling and walls and stapling them in place. Connect the wiring per manufacturer directions. Attach the controls to the wall with screws. Repeat with the electric eye sensors. Run the wiring, and staple it in place. Connect the wiring for the eye sensors per manufacturer directions.

10. Line up the door bracket to the guide rail of the garage door. Attach it in place per manufacturer directions with the included pins.

11. Decide whether you are going to permanently wire the motor unit or not. If not, plug the garage door opener into an outlet. Test the door to ensure that it works properly.

Permanently Wiring the Garage Door Opener

1. Unscrew the cover from the motor unit with a screwdriver. Set the screws and cover aside.

2. Detach the three-pronged cord from the garage door motor. The cord should simply unplug from the motor.

3. Connect the black wire to the screw in the brass terminal of the electrical work. Repeat with the white wire and the screw in the silver terminal, as well as the ground wire and the green grounding screw.

4. Use a screwdriver to screw the cover back into place.

References

• Easy 2 DIY: Installing a Garage Door Opener
• Sears: Craftsman Garage Door Opener