Odd garage door opener problem

[Pack72]

Short version: my garage door was working fine when I left the house. When I came back 20 minutes later it would open, but not close. Such problems are usually caused by a leaf caught on the bottom of the door by a spiderweb, but not this time.

It turns out that the late evening sun was shining directly into one of the safety lights, apparently overwhelming the signal from the other light. I noticed that the second light's led was blinking like something was blocking it, but stopped blinking when I stood so my shadow fell on the first light. When I put a paper tube over the light that blocked the sun everything worked again.

 

[DangerRuss]

Short version: my garage door was working fine when I left the house. When I came back 20 minutes later it would open, but not close. Such problems are usually caused by a leaf caught on the bottom of the door by a spiderweb, but not this time.

It turns out that the late evening sun was shining directly into one of the safety lights, apparently overwhelming the signal from the other light. I noticed that the second light's led was blinking like something was blocking it, but stopped blinking when I stood so my shadow fell on the first light. When I put a paper tube over the light that blocked the sun everything worked again.

This same thing happens at my mom‘s house only at certain times of the year and certain time of day.
The paper tube is a great idea. I will have to try that for her.

 

[chiefjason]

What he said! ^^^^

 

[GoWolfpack]

My dad cut PVC pipes to fit over and shield the sensors for his garage doors. I just hold the button down and force mine, since that works with 30 year old openers.

 

[Jp8819]

Bascily the sun blinds the photoeye reciever or saturates it to the point it cannot reliable detect and since it is used as a safety device it has to act in a safe manor and the controller portion not allow it to come down unless the eye is working properly.

 

[Button Pusher]

 

[Pogue]

Our gate at work does that crap. Have to stand there the whole time blocking the sensor while it opens or it’ll openly completely once, and then immediately try to shut, close about 2’ and start opening again. Won’t quit until the codes entered again. Cloudy days no problem.

 

[noway2]

Bascily the sun blinds the photoeye reciever or saturates it to the point it cannot reliable detect and since it is used as a safety device it has to act in a safe manor and the controller portion not allow it to come down unless the eye is working properly.

Gotta love 1970s technology

 

[Jp8819]

Gotta love 1970s technology

Still happens with todays technology as well in the industrial world sadly.

 

[Pack72]

On installation day… priority number one is to tape those sensors together so they “see” each other permanently, then tuck them up somewhere out of the way and forget they exist.

I can put up with the occasional inconvenience.