Hi, I would like to remove the electric motor from a garage door in the hopes that I can use it as a manual door.

I would like to be able to pull it up and down by hand (I will most likely add a handle).

I am hoping someone may know if this is possible?

I think the motor is at one end:

And the other is just a support:

There appears to be a manual hand crank:

In the future I may replace the door with something more practical.

I have an idea how it might be possible, but I think I would need to support the door and remove the brackets. Then take it down, and pull it apart. But I have no knowledge as to how the supporting axle is connected to the motor or if it is even possible to then move it manually.

Perhaps it would be too heavy to lift manually? Or perhaps there is an easier solution?

I am open to anyone’s advice.

  • Annoyed_🦀 @monyet.ccEnglish
    10·
    2 months ago

    The one that came manual will have a huge coil of spring acting as a counter-weight, which helps you with the lifting. I’d assume the one with motor doesn’t have that, and completely rely on the motor to lift the door, so if you were to remove the motor, it will take huge amount of strength to lift, and it won’t hold position so it might slam down at you at any given time.

    So imo nope, it’s dangerous.

    • BearOfaTimeEnglish
      7·
      2 months ago

      One with a motor will also have a spring, otherwise the motor would have to be much larger. The door weight needs to always be “neutral”.

      The manual part for this type of door is typically a chain fall type setup - a looped chain driving a gear system. It should be there, even on a motorized unit, in case of a power failure, for example.

      • Annoyed_🦀 @monyet.ccEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        Ohh, i assume it held it place using friction from a worm gear, but yeah having a counter-weight makes sense.