How to choose the right roller door motor

Technology has certainly changed the way we see garage door openers. No longer are they used just to open and close your garage door. With such a wide variety of roller door motor’s on todays market, it can be hard to decide which to choose. We’ve written this blog today with our entire staff, with over 200 years of combined garage door experience!

Choosing the right garage door opener is almost just as important as choosing the right garage door for your home. Below we compare the Merlin and Auto Opener brands of roller door openers, with our recommendations and thoughts. Taking these things into consideration will help you find the right roller door motor.

Merlin – SilentDrive Elite MR855MYQ

The SilentDrive Elite is from another well-known automation brand, Chamberlain Merlin. The SilentDrive Elite (MR855MYQ for short) also includes two remote controls for your keyring, as well as a dedicated wall button. The MR855MYQ also has LED lighting, with the ability to suit slightly larger doors up to 18m². This works out to 6m wide x 3m high.

The MR855MYQ also has some optional accessories available, including a battery backup, MYQ Connectivity Kit and PE Safety Beams. No camera is available for this opener at the time of writing, however, you can get one with the iSmartGate kit which is compatible with the MR855MYQ.

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The Fine Print

For your warranty, Merlin also offers a 7-year warranty, or 15,000 cycles.

As far as keeping your warranty valid, Merlin requires the opener to be installed by a Professional Dealer authorised by Merlin and serviced in the third year of operation. Whilst Merlin only requires one service, there are a few hidden points. Your door cannot exceed 20kg of lifting weight at any time, cannot stick or bind at any point and must always be balanced. If it is not balanced or is sticking, you cannot use the door until it is serviced. No definition for what is ‘In Balance’ is given in the warranty manual.

Staff Thoughts on the MR8855MYQ Roller Door Motor

Warranty oddness aside, the MR855MYQ is a solid opener. The remotes look and feel good and we haven’t had an issue with one of the SilentDrive openers for a few years. Would recommend it if you are getting the motor installed for you and you are not wanting to DIY install it.

Auto Openers – Door Master

Finishing the round-up is the Auto Openers Door Master. Auto Openers is the only Australian-owned company here today, as Merlin is American-owned.

The Auto Openers Door Master (AODM for short) has three remote controls for your keyring, as well as an included wall holder/visor clip. This little clip has pre-fixed holes, so you can easily mount the holder to the wall. You can then use it as a wall button, or take it out of the holder for visitors to have a keyring remote. You can also it on your car visor in case you want to avoid something else on your keyring. It comes with a metal clip that slips over the visor to hold it in place.

The AODM also has very bright LED lighting and is also able to suit slightly larger doors of 18m². This works out to 6m wide x 3m high.

The AODM also has some optional accessories available, including a battery backup, Smartphone Kit, Smart Camera and PE Safety Beams. If you’re wanting to wire something into the opener, the green wiring terminal plug can be removed from the opener. You can then safely wire up your alarm or accessory on the ground, rather than being on a ladder!

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The Fine Print

Auto Openers offers a 5 or 10-year warranty, with no cycle limitations.

For your 10-year warranty, Auto Openers requires the opener to be installed by an Auto Openers Accredited Dealer. The motor then needs to be serviced yearly by an Accredited Dealer.

If you are planning on a DIY installation, Auto Openers also offers a 5-year warranty. This is the only DIY-supported warranty roller door motor that we sell. Your door just needs to be in good working condition, freely moving without sticking or binding before installation. There is only one required service, again in year 3.

Staff Thoughts on the AODM Roller Door Motor

As far as DIY solutions go, it’s the only one but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Auto Openers released a video showing the AODM installation with one of their techs. The motor’s price point is also much cheaper than Merlin, but it’s got all the same features and specs.

Highly recommended for both Professional and DIY installations.

Conclusion

Professional Installation: Merlin MR855MYQ or Auto Openers Door Master
DIY Installation: Auto Openers Door Master

It’s a bit of a read, but hopefully, you have a greater understanding of what roller door motor you want to purchase. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to answer them.