Neighbor called - Said my shop was open

300UGUY · Dec 16, 2015

I had one that was triggered by a old airplane that flew over sometimes. We live about 5 miles north of a small airport. That was awhile ago, my new ones don't seem to be affected.

buckeyefarmer · Dec 16, 2015

I have two of the Liftmaster jackshaft openers. mine change the code every time. One has the MyQ where I can use a phone app to open/close, the other one is older.

Industrial Toys · Dec 16, 2015

I have several of these and have had no issues. The newer format is all digital and cannot likely be triggered by just anything. In fact, I believe the newer units have rolling codes so a person can't capture your transmitted signal (with the appropriate equipment) and duplicate it. My best guess would be an issue with the controller main board or wall control which is now a digital affair.

I had this happen with a neighbour years ago. Scared the crap out of his girl friend when she came home with the door open, but we never did get to the bottom of it.

I should clarify. I assume you talk about the Residential Jack Shaft Opener. One with the black plastic housing. Not a larger commercial (all metal) version that generally use an external receiver that is often not very sophisticated.

ruffdog · Dec 17, 2015

something to read:
My garage door opens by itself. Is this possible? What could be the cause of this and what is the solution? | Garaga

71bronco · Dec 17, 2015

LD1 said:
Good neighbor.

I am also betting something else is telling it to open/close and that there is nothing actually wrong with the opener.

I have the same opener too. Only complaint so far was not being able to set it up without the stupid photoeyes. It seems you cannot just jumper them out anymore:mur:

Just mount the eyes on the ceiling looking at each other.

Jeff

murphy1244 · Dec 17, 2015

71bronco said:
Just mount the eyes on the ceiling looking at each other.

Jeff

I mounted mine right above the opener.

oosik · Dec 17, 2015

When I lived in Alaska we lived in a large subdivision with over 400 homes. I was very active into HAM radio at the time. Found that if I tuned up/ transmitted when the radio/linear amp/antenna were out of tune it would open ALL the garage doors for a radius of about 300-400 feet. The solution was my obtaining a dummy load and tuning the unit into the dummy load prior to transmitting out thru the antenna.

An out of tune HAM radio with a linear amplifier and a large high gain antenna will put out a very wide range of spurious signals at quite a high power rating.

Industrial Toys · Dec 17, 2015

No amount of RF will simulate the digital code required on newer residential openers. Besides, most consumer RF stuff has gone very high in frequency, like 2.4 GHZ.

kc5dlo · Dec 17, 2015

ruffdog said:
something to read:
[url=http://www.garaga.com/information/faq/garage

The only scenario that would fit my situation would be a bad circuit in the opener. This is not a case where the door is simply re-opening upon closing. It is actually closing by itself too. Still think I will change the battery in the wireless remote and also check the hard wiring to the inside controller as that is cheap or free compared to a new board.

Thanks everybody, I will post back later if I find a cause or solution.

Mysfyt · Dec 17, 2015

buickanddeere said:
The bumper mechanical switch or pressure switch for the safety bar on the bottom of the door can make a door open. The photo cell eye too . If the is no functioning safety bypass for the last few inches of downward travel. I have seen some that just pushing the door down with make it open.

+2. Common problem up here in the north when the ground freezes and starts heaving the concrete. Just have to back off the adjustment screw a bit.