Garage Door Cold Weather Problem

[SNELLN2]

I have been fighting this intermittent challenge for 3 years. The openers (2)
will not operate the door when the temp drops below 40 degrees. I know it
sounds like something is shrinking but be darned if I can find it. I have done
all the obvious: new batteries, cleaned contacts, resolder, etc. Thanks in
advance. Al

 

[Jeff Wiseman]

Try disconnecting the openers and operating the door by hand. You
will likely find that it is just very heavy. Assuming that you
have coil springs, warming up the coil causes it to expand and
"open up" resulting in greater lift for the door.

It might just be an issue of tightening the lift springs some so
that the opener doesn't have to work so much.

- Jeff

 

[SNELLN2]

Thanks for the input Jeff. It seems as though the remote openers aren't even
activating the door motor.

 

[Yukio]

1: Garage Door Opener - RX, is going off frequency (temperature sensitive
??) or 2: Openers are going off frequency when cold. Not likely both Tx's
at the same time !
In case 1: Install a small heater in RX box ie 60 watt light bulb to keep
the rx warm at all times, or get the Rx /Tx retuned for Lo-Temp.

In case2: Warm-up Tx on Heater or Defroster Vent before operating ! This
may explain intermittant operation. Re-alingning retuning might be the real
cure.

Yukio

 

[James Sweet]

Thanks for the input Jeff. It seems as though the remote openers aren't even
activating the door motor.

Does it have any electrolytic capacitors in it?

 

[SNELLN2]

Thanks for the input Jeff. It seems as though the remote openers aren't

even

Does it have any electrolytic capacitors in it?

Yes, and they are probably over 25 years old. I will change them all. Guess I
just figured an electrolytic at that low voltage would last forever. Some
other responders suggested that the rx/tx's might be detuning in the cold
weather. I wonder if these remote units are powerful enough to register on a
frequency counter? Might have to go dig out all my old, dusty test gear and
teach myself how to use them again. Thanks.