Post by: Highmac on December 21, 2003, 04:11:03 PM
We have an up-and-over double-width garage door powered by an Allstar Challenger 9300 motor unit. When a door balance spring broke, we had to unlatch the motor unit so we could open and shut the door manually. Somehow, in our efforts to refix it, the latch section of the drive chain has gone way out of position and I can't see any way of moving it back to where it should be. If anyone of the engineering persuasion feels they might be able to help, they can download the instruction pdf here. I've read through it and can't see the answer to my problem.
I have also (just) emailed Allstar, but with the Christmas holidays I can't realistically expect an early reply.
Failing that, anybody know of a forum for lovers of powered garage doors....
Post by: Xairbusdriver on December 21, 2003, 04:34:40 PM
Not sure about things on that side of the pond (I understand that electrical "ground" wires are called "earth" and the color is different from the 'revolted' side!
I'll take a look at the pdf, your system may be a lot different from mine. Usually, all I have to do is to run the motor a cycle or 2 and things latch up again.
Did I understand that you re-adjusted the spring yourself!
That's a pretty dangerous task on some of our systems! Requires 2 large steel bars and an empty garage! If one of those bars slips out while tightening, it could well go into orbit (assuming ones body doesn't slow it down too much)! 
Post by: RHPConsult on December 21, 2003, 04:41:27 PM
Post by: RHPConsult on December 21, 2003, 04:55:17 PM
IA (big time) WABD.
Unless it's a turnbuckle, I, too, would surely stay away from such a task. My door has a torsion bar and it can be d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s!
Post by: Highmac on December 21, 2003, 04:59:33 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on December 21, 2003, 05:04:07 PM
Sounds like the trolley is not connecting to the cushion arm correctly.
Did you follow this note on page 16:
QUOTE
if the manual release is used, close the door before reactivating the opener.
Also, perhaps the moveable limit stops are not correctly located, maybe by the chain moving after you disconnected the door. I think the motor/chain should operate 'normally' whether or not the door is attached. In other words, the limit stops should cause the motor to run in the proper direction and stop even without the door being connected. Without the door connected, you may have moved the chain inadvertently.
As a final thought, the door arm assembly seems to be adjustable in length. Perhaps a 'helper' shortened it for you by screwing the two pieces together more than needed.
Other than the above, I note that you may have been using British tools on this device. I'm not sure, but since the device was made in the USA(!), you may need to use only American screwdrivers, hammers, and wrenches. I think those types all work from the left side as opposed to the right! Also, in America, we use 'right is tight' to remember which way to turn a screw/bolt/nut. Is that also different 'over there?!'
Post by: jcarter on December 21, 2003, 07:35:28 PM
I miss it, as the doggone door is a bit heavy, but my husband has adjusted the springs so that it is rather well balanced now. He never resurrected the 'door opener from hell',,,,,,, Wish we lived close, as he could come over and fix your spring system, but forget the other part.
Jane
Post by: Xairbusdriver on December 22, 2003, 07:09:19 AM
Anyway, not having much else to do, I reconsidered what your opener problem might be. Disregard all my other suggestions (except for the use of American tools). I think your problem is a sticking release pin/mechanism. First try jiggling the pull cord. But you probably need to lubricate the trolley system anyway, especially the part that releases the connection to the part that is attached to the chain. If that (spring-loaded) part sticks it won't ever reattach to the traveling part thus presenting the problem you first stated.
BTW, is this a system that is actually sold in Great Britton?! At a DIY store? If so, it's good to know that something we make is still being exported!
Bet they have a hard time selling in Europe without multi-lingual instructions, however! Not to mention the 'English' measurements!
Post by: RHPConsult on December 22, 2003, 07:51:28 AM
The illustrations in the manual look similar to an Alliance we have in a rental property. I've asked Neil (in an e-message) if perhaps the connector (trolley?) somehow is on the wrong side of the limit switch(es)?
Also, I wondered if somehow he's trying to reconnect door and opener in other than the closed position . . . don't how one could, but that would certainly confuse things, methinks.
Post by: Paddy on December 22, 2003, 08:48:44 AM
Last Wednesday, I hopped in our van to drive down the street to the bus stop to pick up my 2nd grader - it was cold, so I hit the door closer on the way out, and drove away. I returned 10 minutes later to find...the back end of the cat poking out from under the closed garage door. Stupid cat had tried to dart under the door at the last minute. I was sure that I'd killed her - that door has no sensor and while it eventually stops, it doesn't bounce off things it hits. Needless to say, I hit that button as fast as I could and was astonished to see the cat get up and walk away as I dashed from the van. She was staggering a bit, but went and sat down under the table saw. I wasn't sure if I should try to pick her up - but finally decided to and she didn't complain. I set her down gently inside the door to the house, and she walked off into the family room and plopped down on the carpet, breathing a bit more heavily than normal. I called the vet, and they said to bring her in. Well, an x-ray, blood tests, thorough exam and $200 later - nothing wrong at all! The vet was astonished. However, the x-ray showed that she'd been shot with an air-gun pellet at some point, so they shaved the area around her hip to look for an entrance wound. Nothing visible - and since it was just under the skin and not likely to cause any damage, they left it there.
This cat is definitely working away at her 9 lives! However, on the upside, she has a darn good look at the door now, before entering the garage!!
Post by: Highmac on December 22, 2003, 04:36:58 PM
To give Allstar (of Downingstown, PA) due credit I received an email timed at 2.10pm UK time (around 9.10am PA time?). They gave me the name and phone number of the UK distributor who will be able to connect me to a local repairer. However, I hope that with all the info supplied by Jim and Dick I will be able to sort it myself. Printing out the pdf has made it much easier to follow what goes where and does what. (Can you imagine as recently as five years ago trying to contact a company 3,000 miles away... at Christmas... for an instruction manual?
Thank goodness for the net)On the matter of the springs, the set-up is a simple one or I would NOT have messed with it. Large coil spring with a hook on each end. Latch the spring in loosely and use a spanner (the DOOR is British, Jim
) to gradually wind it up to the right tension. It is not recommended that you use a Birmingham screwdriver on it... . The springs cost 75GBP each (now that IS painful 
). It's likely to be a couple of days before I'm back on this one, but in the meantime thanks again for all the advice. I do appreciate the time you've taken on my behalf.
Having the manual, I now know what the maintenance schedule should be and the lubrication is overdue so I'll be checking that latch mechanism.
PS Glad the cat was OK Paddy!.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on December 22, 2003, 07:04:38 PM
http://www.jinglecats.com/mp3/meowy_listen.html
QUOTE(HighMac)
the DOOR is British
Well, why didn't you say you had a hybrid setup! There's your problem! Only thing worse would have been a British door, and a French opener!
Post by: RHPConsult on December 24, 2003, 08:37:18 PM
Meeeows on High . . .
British garage doors . . .err . . . low . . .
Sage Mac advice all 'round . . .
Where else but Tech Survivors could one find such a breadth of . . .uhmmm . . . knowledge? So freely dispensed.
Merry Christmas, all.