Garage Door Opener Battery: 8 Important Questions Answered!

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The garage door opener battery lets you operate your garage door normally during a power outage. The garage door battery is not just a convenience. It can save lives in emergencies like wildfires, snow storms or hurricanes!

In this blog post I will cover important aspects of a garage door opener backup battery. For information on garage door opener remote and its battery, please check out my other post 5 Important Things You Need To Know About Garage Door Opener Remote.

Key Takeaways:

• Garage door opener batteries typically last 1-2 years.
• A garage door opener backup battery is mandatory in California. Many garage door opener models now come with backup batteries. They increase safety & convenience.
• Test your garage door opener battery regularly to make sure it is charging & working properly.
• If your garage door opener operates slower than usual, hesitates, or exhibits inconsistent movements, it might be a sign of a weakening battery.
• Replacing a garage door opener backup battery is quite easy.
• Just make sure the replacement battery is the correct voltage for your garage door opener.

1. Garage Door Opener Battery: What Does It Do?

This feature is absolutely essential during emergencies or situations where immediate access to your garage is necessary, such as during storms or when you need to leave your home in a hurry.

The garage door opener battery plays a crucial role, serving as a backup power source, in the event of a power outage. The garage door opener battery kicks in automatically, allowing you to open or close your garage door without any interruption.

A garage door opener battery power will usually last for 24 hours and is good for 20 opening & closing cycles. 

A garage door opener battery will let you operate the garage door several times, till the battery dies too. But this will give you enough time to get the problem fixed or leave the house in case of an emergency.

Moreover, the garage door opener battery also supports the safety features of your garage door system. Modern garage doors come with sensors and auto-reverse mechanisms that prevent accidents and injuries.

These safety features rely on power to function. In case of electrical failure the garage door opener battery will ensure that the sensors and auto-reverse mechanisms continue to work. The garage door safety sensors are critical in preventing injury or damage.

In fact, the garage door backup battery will power the entire garage door opener system, which includes the motor, the sensors, the light and the electronic circuitry in the event of an outage. 

There are three basic garage door opener drives as under:

1. Chain Drive
2. Belt Drive
3. Screw Drive

The garage door opener and the battery backup used are pretty much the same, in concept, in each case.

2. Do All Garage Door Openers Have Batteries?

No. In fact most garage door openers do not have batteries. A garage door opener backup battery obviously increases the cost. 

In the past a backup battery was not considered to be necessary. Extreme weather conditions were less common. Power infrastructure was quite robust. As a result power outages were less common. 

In the worst case you could always pull the emergency release cord and shift from electric to manual mode.

However, the tragic 2017 wildfires in California taught legislators, homeowners and garage door opener manufacturers a lesson. Now reputed manufacturers offer both built-in and aftermarket garage door battery backup.

Some of the models on offer are:

Chamberlain has 7 models on offer with a price range of $178 to $ 499. Three examples:

RJO70 WALL MOUNT BATTERY BACKUP GARAGE DOOR OPENER ($499) at Home Depot

B970T ULTRA-QUIET WI-FI BATTERY BACKUP GARAGE DOOR OPENER WITH WIRELESS KEYPAD ($269) at Amazon

C273 CHAIN DRIVE WI-FI BATTERY BACKUP GARAGE DOOR OPENER ($178) at Lowes

LiftMaster also has 7 models with built-in backup battery in their range. Click this link to check them out.

Genie, another well known company has several models with built-in models that are sold through authorized dealers. A few are also available on Amazon, should you prefer to buy online.

Genie StealthDrive Connect Model 7155-TKV Smartphone-Controlled Ultra-Quiet Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener, Wi-Fi & Battery, Backup – Works with Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant

3. Are Garage Door Openers Required to Have Battery Backup?

This question needs to be answered on three levels:

Is There a Legal Requirement?

There is no Federal Law stating that all garage door openers must have a battery backup. However, the Governor of the State of California signed Senate Bill No. 969 (SB-969) into law on September 21, 2018. 

Effective July 1, 2019, all new automatic garage door openers sold and installed in California must have a battery backup.

So if your home is in California, it is the law.

Is It a Safety Feature?

Though not legally binding in other states, a garage door opener with battery backup certainly improves your and your family’s safety. It is like keeping a flashlight at home.

Extreme weather situations such as wildfires, hurricanes, snowstorms, earthquakes etc. happen without much warning. Even utility companies are caught unaware and power outage is rampant.

But this is the time that you would likely need to use your garage door more than ever. It may be just to get supplies or possibly even evacuate to a safer location. A battery backup door gives you the peace of mind that you are well prepared for an emergency.

Does it Increase Convenience & Flexibility?

Even when the power outage is planned in advance and you are aware of the schedule, you may still want to use your garage door. Power or no power.

Of course the battery backup gives you flexibility and convenience. You do not have to reschedule your drive to accommodate the power outage schedule.

4. Are Battery Backup Garage Door Openers Worth It?

If you are a resident of California, then the above question is not relevant. You do not have a choice. By law you have to have a battery backup garage door opener!

For comparable features a battery backup garage door opener may cost an extra $50 or so. 

For example the B750 ULTRA-QUIET WI-FI GARAGE DOOR OPENER WITH WIRELESS KEYPAD will cost you $198 while a B970 ULTRA-QUIET WI-FI BATTERY BACKUP GARAGE DOOR OPENER WIRELESS KEYPAD will cost you $245 at Home Depot.

They have very similar features except that B970 has a more powerful motor and battery backup.

I think spending an extra $50 for convenience and peace of mind is certainly worth it.

You will need to replace the battery every 1-2 years which costs around $30.

You can still add a battery backup as an afterthought, if you have a battery backup compatible garage door opener. According to HomeGuide you can add battery backup as an aftermarket accessory for around $95.

You can checkout Genie Model GBB-BX Open & Close Your Garage Door During Power Outages Compatible Branded 140V DC Motors Only on Amazon.

5. What Kind of Battery Goes in a Garage Door Opener?

Garage door openers with battery backup use a 12V lead acid battery. Most manufacturers insist that only their brand of batteries are compatible with their battery backup garage door openers.

Batteries provide DC electricity. That is why the garage door opener motor in a battery backup garage door is always DC and never AC.

There are several models of backup batteries for a garage door opener. You can check out CHAMBERLAIN / LiftMaster / Craftsman 4228 Replacement Battery for Battery Backup Equipped Garage Door Openers.

6. How Long Do Garage Door Opener Batteries Last?

With normal usage, a garage door opener battery will last approximately 1-2 years. The battery recharges automatically during normal opener use for prolonged life.

The garage door opener will beep, and the battery status LED will turn red to indicate the battery needs to be replaced.

To increase battery life and prevent damage, it is advised that you should disconnect the battery if you plan to unplug the garage door opener for long periods of time. 

This may be the case if you happen to have a garage at your lakeside cottage or a mountain holiday home that you use only a few months in a year.

7. How To Check a Garage Door Opener Battery?

Checking a garage door opener battery is a relatively easy and straightforward process.

Most garage door openers have a battery indicator light. If it’s green, your battery is functioning well. If it’s red or not lit at all, your battery may need attention.

Locate the battery within your garage door opener unit. Typically, it’s a small rectangular box connected to the motor.

Next, test the battery’s voltage using a multimeter, a handy tool available at hardware stores. Set the multimeter to DC voltage and touch its probes to the battery terminals.

A healthy 12-volt battery should read around 12.6 to 12.8 volts. Anything significantly lower indicates a weak or failing battery that needs replacement.

TIP: Pay attention to your garage door’s performance. If it operates slower than usual, hesitates, or exhibits inconsistent movements, it might be a sign of a weakening battery.

8. How To Replace a Backup Battery on a Garage Door Opener?

Replacing a backup battery in your garage door opener is not difficult. You just need to follow the steps below:

1. Locate the Battery Compartment: It’s typically a small box connected to the motor unit. Refer to your garage door opener’s manual if you’re having trouble locating it.
2. Power Off the Opener: Ensure your garage door opener is disconnected from power.
3. Remove the Old Battery: Open the battery compartment and carefully remove the old battery. Pay attention to how it’s placed. Make note of the positive and negative terminals.
4. Choose the Right Replacement: Select a new battery that matches the specifications mentioned in your garage door opener manual.
5. Install the New Battery: Insert the new battery into the compartment, matching the positive and negative terminals correctly. Ensure it fits snugly in place.
6. Power On the Opener: Reconnect the power to your garage door opener. Wait for a few minutes to see if the battery indicator light (if present) turns green, indicating the new battery is functioning properly.
7. Test the Garage Door: Test your garage door by opening and closing it a few times to ensure it operates smoothly with the new battery in place.
8. Dispose of the Old Battery: Safely dispose of the old battery according to local regulations. Many hardware stores and recycling centers accept used batteries for recycling.

Remember, if you’re unsure about any step, consult your garage door opener’s manual or check out a YouTube video.

Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and useful.