I have a question for the expert experts here: will garage door universal replacement remotes work for an old Sears opener? I have been tasked with helping a less than "ept" (I suppose that would be apt? From inept...)or handy neighbor find one to replace a lost remote. I have to check the model which would probably give a better answer, but I could only get that it was Sears from a look in the dark last night. He's quite familiar with Amazon so I will look there so he can buy it there.
Garage Door Opener Remotes
- Thread starter davey7
- Start date
Help Support :
depends on 'how old'?
some had little tabs inside you had to set to match the remote with the base unit.....
others had revolving codes.....
some just digitally link.....
some base units have a little white button you push, to link it with the remote...
model number, and check with Sears for replacements.......ebay would be another choice...
some universal ones link well, others not at all.....your mileage will vary....
some had little tabs inside you had to set to match the remote with the base unit.....
others had revolving codes.....
some just digitally link.....
some base units have a little white button you push, to link it with the remote...
model number, and check with Sears for replacements.......ebay would be another choice...
some universal ones link well, others not at all.....your mileage will vary....
Home improvement stores sell a "universal" replacement remote. Depending on the age of the opener, it might be a solution.
Thanks for the replies, answers and responses.
It's not of the digital age, that's for sure. I suspect it was put in by whoever had the garage before him which I have no idea would be when (our garages are rented and don't go with the unit, so I have no idea who put it in - I don't have an opener on my garage, which in our recent power outages was very handy), but old enough to be branded as "Sears." I'll check again for model # over the weekend.
It's not of the digital age, that's for sure. I suspect it was put in by whoever had the garage before him which I have no idea would be when (our garages are rented and don't go with the unit, so I have no idea who put it in - I don't have an opener on my garage, which in our recent power outages was very handy), but old enough to be branded as "Sears." I'll check again for model # over the weekend.
Replace Like for Like?
Recently, Dave's daughter and SIL mentioned that they wanted another remote control for their late '80s Genie opener, but told me they couldn't find replacements. I went on line and searched the remote's model number and found aftermarket ones that would work. I also did a similar search on craigslist, and used OEM remotes were available from an individual right here in town. The new ones were a more convenient size so I got them one. It broke within six months. I suggest taking the previously owned OEM route.
Recently, Dave's daughter and SIL mentioned that they wanted another remote control for their late '80s Genie opener, but told me they couldn't find replacements. I went on line and searched the remote's model number and found aftermarket ones that would work. I also did a similar search on craigslist, and used OEM remotes were available from an individual right here in town. The new ones were a more convenient size so I got them one. It broke within six months. I suggest taking the previously owned OEM route.
Look on the back panel of the opener and see if there are any LED's and programming push buttons. After ~1995 openers have the ability to learn the code of the remote and they will have buttons for pairing the remote to the opener.
If your opener is older then this you very likely won't be able to get additional remotes for it.
The really old Sears opener I have has DIP switches in the remotes and the receiver that you have to manually match up.
You can likely buy a new outboard receiver & remotes that would work, it would hard wire to the opener. But then again replacing the old opener is probably the best bet, especially if your model is old enough that it doesn't have the optical beam clearance safety feature which is required on all new openers.
If your opener is older then this you very likely won't be able to get additional remotes for it.
The really old Sears opener I have has DIP switches in the remotes and the receiver that you have to manually match up.
You can likely buy a new outboard receiver & remotes that would work, it would hard wire to the opener. But then again replacing the old opener is probably the best bet, especially if your model is old enough that it doesn't have the optical beam clearance safety feature which is required on all new openers.
Try these guys...
I am a Strata manager and the copmany i work for has 500+ buildings with all sorts of remotes required... We use Allzappas.com they keep an extraordinary range of redundant remote controls.
Jon.
I am a Strata manager and the copmany i work for has 500+ buildings with all sorts of remotes required... We use Allzappas.com they keep an extraordinary range of redundant remote controls.
Jon.
vacerator
Well-known member
The reciever
box on the opener can be changed out with a new one with rolling codes. It costs under $100 and you get 2 remotes.
very easy repair. two wires to the motor, two to the wall switch.
box on the opener can be changed out with a new one with rolling codes. It costs under $100 and you get 2 remotes.
very easy repair. two wires to the motor, two to the wall switch.
Yes, they sure will. Just check the opener to find out if it has fixed code technology (little tabs that set the code) or rolling code technology .
I bought a couple replacement remotes on Ebay for my 1985 Sears opener. They worked just fine and they even worked with the new opener when i replaced it last year.
I bought a couple replacement remotes on Ebay for my 1985 Sears opener. They worked just fine and they even worked with the new opener when i replaced it last year.
vacerator
Well-known member
I had
an old Genie screw drive. It worked until the plastic on the remotes literally crumbled, then I replaced the receiver and remotes with a Unicode with dip switches.
We got 5 more years out of it, and replaced the entire system in 2008 with a 1/2 horse belt drive Chamberlain. Very smooth quiet.
The plastic motor hub on my neighbors Sears melted. It was less than ten years old. Maybe over used.
an old Genie screw drive. It worked until the plastic on the remotes literally crumbled, then I replaced the receiver and remotes with a Unicode with dip switches.
We got 5 more years out of it, and replaced the entire system in 2008 with a 1/2 horse belt drive Chamberlain. Very smooth quiet.
The plastic motor hub on my neighbors Sears melted. It was less than ten years old. Maybe over used.
