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.

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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    8 days 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.cc
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      8 days ago

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