Marantec Mac Lift Deluxe 2005 and Elite 2007 Series Openers

Do you happen to own a Marantec Mac Lift Deluxe 2005 Series or Elite 2007 Series garage door opener? Are you looking for a replacement remote? Well, I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is that Marantec no longer makes the remotes for these openers. The good news is that you don't have to junk your garage door opener - there is a solution.

The Mac Lift Series of operators came equipped with a 40MHz (or 433MHz) radio receiver and remotes . Somewhere along the line Marantec decided to manufacture two new models of operators - the M-Line and Q-Line. At this point they had three main models in the line and decided three was too many (this is my theory). They stopped production of the Mac Lift series of openers and the use of the 40MHz (433MHz and 390MHz) radio receivers and remotes. What are all the Mac Lift owners to do for new remotes? Not to worry. Marantec came up with a solution.

The 75424 Plug-In Radio Receiver. I know I've written about this receiver before but I get A LOT of questions pertaining to the Mac Lift openers so I figured it would be best to have a separate blog. The plug-in radio receiver is just that - it plugs in to an electrical outlet. You then run two wires (bell wire which is included) from the receiver to the back of the powerhead. If you plug the receiver in the ceiling where the opener is plugged in then you're only going to use about 3 feet of wire. After you have it hooked up, you press the program button on the plug-in receiver, then press the button on the M3-2312 Remote control (included) and PRESTO! or SHAZAMM! your done. You now have a working remote for your Mac Lift opener.

The Marantec External Plug-In Radio Receiver utilizes the 315MHz radio frequency. This is the same frequency that their newer models use plus almost every other manufacturer in the garage door opener industry uses. It's a good solid unit and should give you the ability to use your opener for many more years.

Marantec M3-631 Wireless Keyless Keypad

The Marantec M3-631 Wireless Keyless Entry System. Marantec isn't the first company to make a keyless entry but what a great invention. The keyless entry has been around for a number of years but it still ranks as one of the best additions to the electric garage opener. No longer do you need to carry those bulky house keys around. Just enter four digits (if you remember them) and your in the garage. I've actually met people who depend solely on the keyless entry to get into their house (maybe your one of them). Not a very good idea. If the power goes out your stuck outside until it comes back on. I suggest if you do this that you at least hide a house key outside under a rock or something.

The Marantec M3-631 Wireless Keyless Entry is a 315MHz unit. It will work with all of the Marantec operators that have the 315MHz radio receiver. If you look on the back of your remote control you'll see the frequency printed on it - if it is 315MHz then the M3-631 is compatible with your operator.

You can control up to 3 Marantec garage door operators with one keyless entry. For the keyless entry system to work you'll need to transfer the code from a working M3-2312, M3-2314, or M3-3313 remote control using a jumper cable. If you have one of the older model remotes from the ML series you'll need to request an "old to new" jumper cable when you order it.

One note of warning about the M3-631 Marantec keyless entry - there is a plastic membrane over the keypad numbers. Do not use your car keys, fingernails, or any other sharp object to press on the numbers. If you do then it will eventually damage the keypad. Some people have said they've done this because the numbers weren't lighting up when they pressed them with their fingers. If the numbers don't seem to be responding to the pressure of your finger then take the keypad off the jamb. There's a screw on the bottom of the mounting plate - turn it and the keypad will lift off. Take the 4 screws off the back and pull the keyless apart. Inside is a rubber membrane with nubs that depress the actuators on the control board. If these get misaligned sometimes the numbers won't light up. Make sure that it is seated so they depress properly. Check the batteries while you're in there to make sure they're not dead. Put the screws back in and tighten. Test the unit and see if it works any better (8 times out of 10 it will).

That's about it for the M3-631 Marantec Wireless Keyless Entry System. Just another one of those things that makes our lives a little bit easier.

UPDATE: AS OF 05/01/14 the M3-631 Marantec Keyless was discontinued and replaced with the New M13-631 Keyless Entry. Click Here for more information

Raynor Opener Replacement Belt

Where do you get a replacement belt for your Raynor opener? Now we're not talking about the new style of belt drive system on some of the newer openers. We're talking about the v-belt that is found in the older Raynor R-series of garage door operators.

If you have one of the following Raynor garage door opener models then it will have a 3L-310 v-belt in it:

• R100
• R110
• R120
• R130
• R150
• R160
• R170

These were well built units. There wasn't much to them but they did the job. Unfortunately Raynor stopped making the R-series of openers in the 1990's. It's too bad because as far as openers go they seemed to do a great job - open and close the garage door. They didn't have all the bells and whistles that the newer openers have but they also didn't have some of the problems the newer openers have.

If you have an R-series Raynor garage door opener I would recommend keeping it. Upkeep on them is very minimal. Lube & tighten the chain once in a while. Replace the 3L-310 v-belt when it seems worn. Maybe replace the remote if it wears out. If you do this then you should get many years of service out of it.

Raynor Garage Door Opener Remotes - Part I

Need a remote for your Raynor garage door opener? If the answer is yes then we need to determine which opener you have first so you can get the correct remotes. The following information is only for these Raynor operators:

• Pilot 1/2 h.p. opener
• Navigator 1/3 h.p. opener
• Endeavor 3/4 h.p. opener
• Commander 1/2 h.p. opener
• Aviator 1/2 h.p. opener
• Ultra 3/4 h.p. opener

Note: if you have a Raynor Flitestar opener or one of the Raynor "R" Series openers (R150, R160, R170) you'll have to wait until I write about those another time or email me if you have a question. There's a lot of information to cover on remotes for those openers that I just can't cover now.

The newest Raynor garage door openers have a radio frequency of 315MHz so the only remotes to work with them will be the number "3" series of remotes - #371LM 1-button Remote, #373RGD 3-button remote and #377LM Wireless Keyless Entry Keypad. You can determine if you need a 315MHz remote by looking on the back of an existing transmitter if you have one. The model number will be stamped on the back. If you don't have a remote then you'll have to look at the powerhead to find the frequency. Look on the back of the powerhead unit on the ceiling (you may have to take the light cover off depending on which model of opener you have). You should see a small square purple button - this is the program button. If you see a purple button then you will need the 315MHz radio transmitters. If you see a red program button then read on.

The slightly older Raynor garage door openers have the same model names as listed above but they are 390MHz frequency. If you see a red program button on the back of the powerhead unit then you will need the number "9" series of remotes - #971RGD 1-button Remote, #973RGD 3-button Remote and the new #877MAX Wireless Keyless Entry Keypad which replaces the 976LM Keyless Entry.


That covers the Raynor garage door openers from the past 10 years or so. If you have one of the Raynor openers from the 1980's to late 1990's then you'll have to email us if you have questions (store@garagedoorzone.com) or wait for the next installment when I cover those openers. Those operators didn't have built-in radio receivers from the manufacturer so it was up to the installing dealers to add the radio receiver of which they could add any number of different receivers. I'll cover the receivers we used over the past 20 years and some tips on finding the right remote for you.

Liftmaster #375LM Universal Remote

Liftmaster has introduced a new universal 2-button remote control. You're probably asking yourself - "How does this benefit me?". Well, the best thing about this remote is that you can control two different operators that have two different frequencies (they can also be from different manufacturers). It's the new Liftmaster #375LM Universal 2-Button Remote Control.

Say you have two garage door openers and one of them no longer works and it would be too costly to repair (or parts are no longer available to fix it). So you decide to put a brand new opener in (say a Linear or Liftmaster opener) but you don't want to replace the other operator (why should you - it still works). The only problem is the old opener has an older 310MHz frequency radio receiver on it and the new opener has a 315MHz frequency radio receiver. In the "old days" you would have to have two separate remotes to control both operators but not anymore. Liftmaster developed a single remote that can control two separate radio frequencies. All you have to do is program the one button of the remote into your new opener and the other button into your old opener.

The remote is compatible with the following manufacturers and frequencies:

• Genie®
• Linear/Moore-o-Matic®
• Stanley®
• Overhead Door®
• Wayne-Dalton®
• Craftsman®
• Chamberlain®
• LiftMaster®
• NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MARANTEC OR HORMANN
  

The following frequencies can be used with the remote:

300/310/315/372/390 MHz systems

I have to admit when I first saw the programming instructions for the Liftmaster #375LM Remote I was a little shocked - it looked like it was going to be a huge undertaking. It wasn't though. Once I figured out which frequency of openers I wanted to program the other parts of the instructions are pretty much ignored and I followed the instructions for a particular unit. It wasn't difficult.

So there you have it. A unique remote that can solve a few different problems. Weather you need to replace a remote for an old opener or you need a remote that works with both newer and older operators, the Liftmaster #375LM Universal Remote seems to fit the bill.

Raynor Garage Door Opener Light Cover Replacement

I know it sounds boring (ok it is boring) but we get a lot of questions on what to do about discolored or broken light covers. The light covers or globes on electric openers break or turn yellow and need replaced at some point during the life of the opener. Half of the garage door opener owners out there don't care if there's a light cover on their opener or not - as long as the door goes open and closed. The other half likes to take special care of their openers and don't want any defects in the unit - they want the machines to look as good as they run.


A lot of opener light covers will turn a yellowish color over many years of use and the plastic becomes brittle. Or while the light bulb is being changed it drops on the floor and breaks. A new light cover can really brighten up the opener and the garage. It will also help protect the light bulbs from being broke.

If you have a newer style Raynor garage door opener (newer styles started in 2001 and have a curved cover - older styles were square or rectangular) then the 108D79 Light Cover should "cover" your needs (cheesy pun intended). These light cover (or globes as some like to call them) will work on the following Raynor openers:

• Aviator
• Ultra
• Endeavor
• Pilot
• Navigator

If you have one of the older Aviator or Pilot openers (2001 or older) then you'll need one of the rectangular 108D34 light covers. These also fit the Liftmaster opener models: 1050, 1150, 1250, 1265, 1270, 1280 and 1280R.


If you have a Raynor Commander opener (manufactured from 2002 to 2010) then the 108D78 Light Cover will be the one you want. It will not fit the newer Commander II operator.

If you have an older Raynor Navigator opener (model 1245RGD or 1255RGD) then the 108D36 Light Cover will work. This one will also be compatible with Liftmaster opener models: 1040, 1045, 1055, 1140, 1145, 1155, 1240, 1245, 1255, 1046, 1146, 1246, 1256 and 1256R. This isn't a complete list of models covered.

What if you have an older Raynor operator like the R150?  Unfortunately Raynor has stopped offering replacement light covers for these openers and there are no alternatives available. These models include:  R-Series operators (R100, R110, R120, R130, R150, R160 and R170).


That about "covers" it (sorry couldn't resist). Not much to it but it should answer those burning questions about opener light covers. If you do have any other questions please feel free to drop us an email.