Perhaps you have some valuable belongings stored in the garage, or maybe your garage is being used for your home business, or you simply want to improve your home’s overall security. Whatever the reason, if your garage’s security is very important to you, then you should definitely consider installing an automatic garage door lock. But what exactly is it?
Automatic Garage Door Lock is a smart security device made to work with some models of Liftmaster and Chamberlain garage door openers. Just as the name depicts, it automatically locks the garage door when it is fully closed and unlocks when you send the open command to the garage door opener via the remote, keypad, or myQ. This device helps prevent burglars from breaking into your garage.
Maybe a friend of yours told you about this device, or you saw a TV commercial, or maybe a video online, but you are still on the fences of whether to purchase one for your garage. Fret not. By the end of this article, you’ll know how this device works, if it’s necessary to get the automatic garage door lock or not, the different types available, and whether it’s compatible with your existing garage door opener.
How Does the Automatic Garage Door Work?
During the process of installation, the automatic garage door lock is hardwired to the garage door opener. For compatible garage door openers, there will be two ports made for the door lock. That’s because, for maximum security, it is recommended to install two of these door locks, one on each side of the door. However, a single device will work just fine.
The wiring serves two primary purposes: to supply power to the automatic garage door lock and at the same time used as a communication link between the garage door lock and the opener.
When you open the garage door with the remote control, the garage door keypad, or the myQ app if you have it set up, the garage door opener will first send a signal to the garage door lock to unlock. After it unlocks, the garage door opener activates the opening relay for the motor to run.
The order to which things happen when you close the garage door is a little bit, however. When you hit the button to close your garage door, the opener will first close the garage door to its fully-closed position. After the garage door is fully closed, then it sends a signal to the automatic garage door lock to lock.
I think that’s an excellent integration, especially for us, the end-user. Why do I say that? After you have this lock installed, we don’t have to learn a new habit of closing the garage door and then locking the garage manually. There is also no need for a second remote for the garage door lock.
Why you need an automatic garage door lock
If you have been wondering if this device is worth that extra bucks, let’s take a look at the benefits you get with installing this device. Here are the two main reasons why you should get the automatic garage door lock installed for your garage.
1. Convenience
Garage door locks, in general, is not a new thing. It’s been in existence for a while. There are quite a lot of different options to choose from, depending on the type of garage door you have. And to be honest, most of them work great and just as advertised.
However, where all the different garage door lock options fall short is Convenience. What do I mean? Imagine getting out of your garage inside your car and then getting down from your vehicle to manually lock your garage.
If you do this for a couple of months, you will probably be used to it. However, in unique situations where, for instance, it is raining outside, that becomes such an inconvenience.
With the automatic garage door lock, you can avoid all that hassle. That’s because this device will lock to secure your home without you even thinking about it. There is no extra step you need to perform to secure your garage.
2. Improve Garage Security
Garage door openers are designed to prevent unauthorized break-ins. As long as the garage door is connected with the garage door opener via the trolley, it is very challenging to break into a garage manually.
Burglars have, however, found a way to break into homes through your garage, and it is a very simple technique. The technique is popularly known as the 6-seconds garage door break-ins. Check the video above to see how it works.
If you are familiar with this break-in technique, then you know you can’t solely rely on the garage door opener’s default security to protect your home. That is another compelling reason why you get the automatic garage door lock.
Our garages these days have become a multi-faceted room that serves as a storage facility for the rarely used tools and belongings, as well as the playroom for the kids, amongst other things. We want to ensure it’s as secure as possible every time.
The Different Types of Automatic Garage Door Locks
Chamberlain made two main types of automatic garage door locks for their openers, and they are
- Liftmaster 841LM Automatic Garage Door Lock, and
- Liftmaster 41A6102 Power Door Lock
Let’s take a closer look at these two devices to find out the main differences and which garage door openers they work with.
Liftmaster 841LM Automatic Garage Door Lock
The Liftmaster 841LM Automatic Garage Door Lock (on Amazon) works with some models of the traditional belt and chain-drive garage door openers that we all know and love. The only Jackshaft model it is compatible with is the 8500W model. If you want to level up the security of your belt or chain drive opener from Liftmaster, this is an excellent choice.
Unfortunately, the 841LM Automatic garage door lock works with a few garage door openers, specifically these models: 8550WL, 8587WL, 8360WL, and 8500W
It is recommended to get two of these for each side of the door. That will provide maximum security and protection against high winds and storms.
Liftmaster/Chamberlain 41A6102 Power Door Lock
The Liftmaster 41A6102 Power Door Lock (also on Amazon), also known as the automatic deadbolt lock, is made to work with Chamberlain and Liftmaster’s Jackshaft (or wall mount) garage door openers. This also works with Chamberlain’s B980 garage door opener, which is a belt-dive opener. These are the models the power door lock is compatible with: Liftmaster’s 3800, 3900, and 8500 and Chamberlain’s B980, RJ020, and RJ070.
Something to keep in mind is, these two garage door locks are not interchangeable. You can’t use the Power Door Lock for most chain and belt-drive garage door openers except Chamberlain B980, and neither can you use the 841LM automatic garage door lock for Liftmaster’s wall mount openers except Liftmaster 8500W. Those are the only exceptions.
This is essential because many homeowners purchase the wrong version for their garage door opener. And after so many hassles, they eventually end up returning the product.
Conclusion
The automatic garage door lock is an excellent way to maximize your garage’s security. Chamberlain has been an innovative company in the garage space, and undoubtedly, this device is a testimony to that. Hope this article helped answer all your questions about the automatic garage door lock
