Customer Reviews

Chamberlain Garage Door Universal Surge Protector

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As stated by another reviewer, an insert in this product states: "CAUTION - Do not install this device if there is not at least 10 meters (30 feet) between the electrical outlet and the electrical service panel".

HOWEVER, I emailed Chamberlain's customer support and received a reply stating that the insert is in error. The actual directions state that the surge suppressor should be installed less than 4 feet from the *opener*, not the service panel. So I'm keeping these after all.

I bought this but it's not until I opened the box that I realized it's useless to me.

There's a warning both as a box insert and etched on the back of the surge protector that says: (the exact words)

CAUTION - Do not install this device if there is not at least 10 meters (30 feet) or more of wire between the electrical outlet and the electrical service panel.

What a surprise! The electrical service panel where the master electrical switch to the house is, is right there on the garage wall in my house. The distance between the electrical outlet serving the opener and the electrical service panel is not more than 10 feet, let alone 30 feet.

Poor description on all websites I looked over that sell this product. This warning should have been clearly included in product description.

Power surges were partially opening the garage door. Installed this device that protects all the low voltage wiring. Power surges have happened but the door remains shut. Safe & sound. I like it!

Chamberlain Garage Door Universal Surge Protector
I managed to wire it up incorrectly so I called Chamberlain customer support for help. The customer support agent was outstanding. We corrected the problem and got things working in short order.
I have a Chamberlain LiftMaster garage door opener. The Chamberlain Surge Protector gives you a 1 year warranty on your garage door opener. Whereas, the LiftMaster surge protector gives you a 5 year warranty on a LiftMaster garage door opener. The Chamberlain customer support agent told me that she was giving me a 5 year warranty on my LiftMaster garage door opener (see product information for exact details).
It is really great to get super customer support like Chamberlain's in this day and age.

The Liftmaster 990LM Surge Protector is also made by Chamberlain, has the exact same published specs, cheaper cost (at time this was written), but a better warranty duration (5-years)if that matters to you. It also has better terms and conditions. The CLSS1 is limited to $100 coverage and you have to ship damaged parts to them for inspection (AND YOU PAY SHIPPING BOTH WAYS). The LiftMaster paperwork only states a requirement to send in the fried surge suppressor for inspection. They do however reserve the right to inspect the site and connected equipment. The 990LM paperwork says they will cover repairs or replacement on LiftMaster openers, but if you call customer support before you buy they might cover any Chamberlain model.

Buy whichever unit is cheaper (990LM vs CLSS1), because these warranties are basically a waste of time unless you have a spare unit laying around in your garage. Who can afford to wait weeks or months for a claim to process, not to mention isolating the issue, paying for shipping both ways, all for up to a maximum of $100 coverage.

Also worth noting: 1)neither surge suppressor will get replaced under warranty if it was fried by a power surge (because it when it died it probably saved your garage opener - it did its job as designed), and 2)neither covers any damage caused by low voltage - which damages sensitive modern electronics about as often as power surges.

I purchased the 990LM because at the time it was 60 cents cheaper than the CLSS1.

The surge protector is a good idea. You will possibly agree if you have ever had to replace appliances due to surges. I bought this because it was made to handle the surges on all components of a opener. Documentation sucks. Just know that you move your wire terminations from your opener to your surge device. Then you add a jumper from your surge device to your opener, for each terminal. They supply a 5 foot jumper wire pair of each color. Now only time will tell if it is worth putting in. º

Easy to install, part of the circuit board went out during storm so when i replaced the board i installed this. Takes around 2o min. to install if you have to extend the safety wires. Hope i do not have to see if it works but if I do get a spike i know it's there.

easy to setup and quick delivery. Circuit boards are expensive to replace so I hope this does the trick.

I was a little concerned about the ease of install of this item (all the wires that did go to the operator now connect to this surge protector), but it worked out fine. As long as the wires are long enough (the wires from the electric eyes and any wall mount controls) to reach the surge protector that plugs in where the operator did (the operator now plugs into the surge protector), it's a fairly easy installation. Of course whether or not it performs the way it's supposed to..... well that remains to be seen.

I bought this so that I could plug my Chamberlain opener to it to protect it from surges. The device plugs directly into the outlet, and you plug the garage door opener into the device plus all the safety wires into it and then the wires back to the opener. I haven't had any surges yet, but knowing I have a surge protector gives me more piece of mind. I highly suggest picking one up.