Hi All,

It looks like our safety sensor died. Both the transmitter and the receiver (although I'm not sure which is which) have green LED lights, but neither of them are lit up. So, I'm concluding that they are dead. I checked the wiring, and it seems ok, but very old, with some of the insulation looking like it is wearing away. So, I'm thinking I should probably install a new sensor transmitter and receiver and also run new wiring between the new sensors and the garage door opener. Does that make sense, or should I try something else first? (Is there any chance that the sensors are battery powered and the wire just carries the signal for the sensors? If so, I can't figure out where the battery would be; or are the sensors always powered via the wires to the garage opener?)

If that does make sense, then do pretty much any replacement sensors work, i.e., can I mix-and-match between sensors and my garage door opener? Or are they proprietary? If proprietary, then anyone know what might work with an old (~17-18 years old) Sears Crafsman opener (Part No. 41a5021-3M-315)? What type of wiring would I need with it?

Lastly, how difficult is all this to install? I'm moderately handy, though by no means an expert.

Thanks for any help!

 

Actually, the garage door opener itself is approximately 8 years old; not sure of the age of the sensors, but they were here when we moved in in 2011.

Thanks again.

 

They are directly powered off the opener and must communicate with it to work properly.

I change the sensors all the time. They really take a beating and the build quality is lacking.
They each connect with a supplied two conductor cable. The both connect to the same set of screw terminals. Usually terminals 2 and 3. There is no polarity.

The transmitter usually has an always lit LED on it and the receiver LED lights when the beam is established.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

Do you know if the sensors must match the garage door opener, or can I mix-and-match sensors with my garage door opener? (I have a ~8 year old Sears Craftsman Part (model?) No. 41a5021-3M-315.)

Thanks!

 

Most of the sensor pairs will work fine. You can get them at most home improvement stores.