Freezing runners for auto aluminum door?

[wasdalewanderer]

Hi,

This morning the runners of our aluminum door were frozen, fortunately I opened it manually and was able to free the door before the motor was damaged.

I'm thinking of using WD40 to stop this happening in future.

Please can you tell me how you've overcome this problem, we need it left on auto as we're not always around in the morning.

Thanks in advance.

WW

 

[aart]

Pics of situation please?
Is door protected from water?

 

[wasdalewanderer]

Pics of situation please?
Is door protected from water?

This is installed over the entry/exit of their house - so in answer, no it's not protected from the elements as it's externally mounted. Hope this makes sense?

So, in the closed position the recent wet weather had frozen the inside of the door runners. Thanks

 

[Ghosty]

WD40 might work, but you would probably have to apply it on a regular basis. Grease might be a better option. Can you mount the door on the inside?

 

[wasdalewanderer]

Blimey that's some serious looking door opener!

Nope, it's light controlled. Although there is the option to shut it via timer as well, so I could take a look.

Will try WD40 tomorrow and see if that works. Thanks for your help. WW

 

[aart]

so in answer, no it's not protected from the elements as it's externally mounted. Hope this makes sense?

That's pretty clear...if not protected from getting wet, it's gonna freeze.
WD40 is not going to solve that
Can you put an awning over it....or mount it on the inside of coop??
Pis of the door on your coop might garner some solutions.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Nope, it's light controlled. Although there is the option to shut it via timer as well, so I could take a look.

You can mount the actual door indoors while still having the opener itself outside by drilling a small hole for the string to pass through from outside to inside, and/or adding pulleys to the mix. There's a few videos I've seen either on chickenguard's site or maybe youtube that show a motor mounted somewhere other than above the door, so outside/inside or around a corner, etc.

That said, I have both my opener (I use timer option) and door installed inside to keep them out of the weather. I also have wood rails instead of metal so that's less of a freezing issue I believe (assuming there's no drippy condensation).