You come home after a long day, press the switch on your opener, and await the familiar whir of the garage door opening. Instead, you hear nothing. You press it again, with more force, but the door does not budge. It is a frustrating experience that every homeowner is bound to encounter sooner or later. While you might be worried stiff about whether the motor is malfunctioning or whether the spring is broken, the answer is often much smaller and far more affordable to resolve.
From our experience in the field of garage door repair in Plantation, a dead battery in the remote control is a very frequent source of service calls. Such a small gadget is easy to overlook until it breaks down. On the one hand, the opener system itself is a complicated machine connected to the electrical circuit of your home; on the other hand, the remote control operates on a small power source that you can easily carry in your pocket.
This guide from Top Service Garage Door Repair has been compiled to aid you in determining the garage door opener battery type, where to find the information on the device, and to make sure you’re not stuck outside in the rain again.
Common Battery Types
The technology of the garage doors as well as the power sources behind them has come a long way. Although there isn’t a standard power source per se, we notice a few certain ones come up more often than the rest.
The common option found in contemporary remotes is the 3-volt lithium coin cell battery. This is a shiny silver button-shaped battery. Within this line, there is a giant named CR2032. This is a quarter-sized battery with a long shelf life. There could be CR2016 or CR2025 variants too. These are of similar diameters to CR2032, but much thinner. This is a critical point because a thinner battery could be unable to connect well with the terminals inside the casing of a remote control.
Another common source of power is the 12-volt alkaline battery, common in slightly older or larger remote controls. The A23, also known as 23A, is a compact battery that resembles a miniature AAA battery. It packs a stronger punch in terms of voltage to power older radio bands.
Finally, in the event that you possess an older system or a universal remote keypad, you may find that you require either a standard AA or AAA battery, or even a 9-volt rectangular battery.
How to Determine the Correct Size of Your Battery
Guessing your garage door opener battery size is never a good thing. The wrong voltage could potentially hurt your circuit board, and the wrong size simply won’t fit. The best way to ensure you get the right battery would be to look at your battery compartment. The battery compartment lid may simply come off, or you may need to use a Phillips head screwdriver.
Now that the compartment is opened, examine the existing battery. The size code, whether it be “CR2032” or “A23,” is almost always embossed directly onto the metal housing. If the battery is missing or the embossed coding is illegible, examine the plastic inside the battery slot closely. Many manufacturers emboss the necessary garage opener battery size and polarity notation (indicating which direction is “up”) directly into the plastic mold.
If you are still not sure, you should refer to your owner’s manual. Most of these products from reputable makers like LiftMaster, Genie, and Chamberlain have digital versions of their user manual available on their website. You can search for your model number, which is located at the back of your remote control.
Providing Access Effectively
A garage door remote that does not respond is a small nuisance that may end up ruining your day. You, however, can resolve the issue in a matter of minutes by determining the right size for the battery, which may be in the form of a coin cell battery, for example, a CR2032 battery, or a cylinder-shaped A23 battery. You can prevent being locked out by carrying a spare battery in your kitchen cabinet or in your glove compartment.
Have you found yourself wondering…what size battery for a garage door opener? But what if you have replaced your battery and your garage door won’t open? There may be a problem with your remote programming or your logic board on your opener receiver. This is where you call on professionals at Top Service Garage Door Repair for assistance. We’re here for you and your garage doors, no matter what the weather conditions may be!
Raised in Plantation, Florida, Steve earned a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University. He is an experienced entrepreneur with ventures in oil, real estate, and the garage door industry, known for being adaptable, reliable, and innovative.
Steve is married with two children who have successful careers in South Florida. The Gorey family is proud of its deep roots in the region and its connection to the local community.
