It is getting cold in Illinois. Our 1/2 hp garage door opener on a single car door has a hard time lifting when it gets cold. I am afraid it will not go all the way up and my wife will back the Bravada into the door (not noticing it is only 3/4 up.

Problem only happens when it is cold. I need to heat the opener. I don't want to heat the entire garage. First thing that comes to mind is an magnetic block heater. Only problem is I have to order it online and would prefer to find a solution at Wal-Mart, Menards, Home Depot, Lowes Or Ace.

Bet someone on this board has an idea on how to gently heat a garage door opener. Note there is an open outlet right next to the garage door opener.

Moved to the Lounge<-----Toddster

What about a snall infared heater ( like office women have under their desks) hang it from the ceiling and have a switch where you could turn it off and on. Don't think you'd want it on all the time, mainly when it gets really cold!

Heat Tape that is used on pipes might work. Make sure you get the one with a fused fault circuit.

Both great suggestions, off to the store looking for the heat tape, as the infrared heater might use more juice than the heat tape.

Heat tape. But really, I would suggest upgrading the springs on the door. This will make it easier to lift the door.

Yah we just had ours adjusted, now the 1/2 HP has no problem pulling the double garage door, you should be able to lift the door with your pinky and it should stay up once you get it up

There should be a row of holes for the spring * clip. Move it up a few holes and see if that works. heat tape is going to up your electric bill.

This is a sign of the motor being on it'* way out. The internal of the motor heats rather quickly under power. Heating may help briefly, But it is only going to accelerate further damage.

I bet this is an old opener..most of them were only 1/2HP even for the larger doors. I agree that it'* probably on it'* way out and maybe a new 3/4HP opener is on the horizon.

3/4 HP for a single garage door? I just put a 1/2 HP on a single that we didn't use until recently and it has plenty of power to open the door, we have the same 1/2 HP on a double door and it has no problem at all, I would get the springs in line first because if you do have to replace it you will make the new one burn out faster with the springs not doing their job