An automatic door functions using electricity, which, although powerful, may also become unreliable. As a business owner or homeowner, you need to address instances where power failure renders your garage door opener inefficient.
And this is why the LiftMaster battery 485LM makes a convenient backup and must-have accessory.
The LiftMaster 485LM is a replacement battery designed to fit all LiftMaster operators with integrated battery backup garage door openers. A backup garage door battery ensures your garage door is functional at all times despite power failures.
Importance of a Standby Power System
Unexpected events like severe weather conditions may affect the power supply or cause a power outage. When this happens, the garage door will not work automatically since its tracks are wired to the automatic door opener.
You can still operate your garage door without electricity, but there will be some heavy lifting and pulling. We are talking about a 100 to 300-pound garage door here, depending on its material and hardware components.
Some door openers like LiftMaster have manual release cords to make it easier and lighter to operate manually. However, it does not take out all of the weight and effort you need to exert to manually operate it.
Aside from enduring the weight, opening the garage door on your own also requires a great deal of caution to prevent damage to the springs or accidental crashing.
Thankfully, there is no need for you to deal with this if you have standby backup power. Once the power goes out, the battery backup system takes over. The door will work as it is, including all its remote access controls and safety and security features.
The battery backup system is essential in keeping your garage door functional and ensuring its excellent performance. You will likely need it in emergencies, weather disruptions and planned and unplanned outages.
California even passed the SB-696 Law requiring all garage door openers to have backup battery systems. It was applied to all products manufactured after July 2019 after a deadly wildfire trapped people in their garages without electricity in 2017.
How Does the LiftMaster Battery 485LM Work?
The LiftMaster 485LM is compatible with all battery backup units using slide-in batteries and new garage door opener models.
This 12V battery is inserted into the housing or over the motor of the door opener unit. When the electric power is cut, the battery automatically replaces the system without any tinkering. A warning tone will let you know that the garage opener is using the backup battery.
The 485LM battery will automatically recharge as soon as the electricity is back. It is powered through the connector cable that attaches it to the garage door opener. There is no need for you to plug the unit in to recharge. The 485LM battery gets fully recharged after about four and a half hours.
The battery can recharge and discharge multiple times. Depending on the depth of its discharge, the 485LM can operate the garage door for at least 20 cycles.
A cycle means one open and one closed operation. For some door opener units, the 485LM battery can do up to 50 cycles, which is useful in a long-haul power interruption.
LiftMaster Battery 485LM Features
The 485LM battery is guaranteed to make your garage door functional for a reasonable period without electricity. With the backup battery, you can open or close the garage door at any time.
It also enables the photosensors, which reverse the door operation if it senses an obstruction in the doorway.
The LiftMaster 485LM 12V replacement battery has the following features:
- 8-amp sealed-lead acid or SLA battery
- 12V 5ah for high energy density
- Non-spill, puncture-resistant case
- Corrosion-resistant
- 4-hour recharging time
- 20 cycles after the initial power outage
- 1 to 2 years life expectancy
- Fast and easy replacement
How to Tell if the Door Opener Is Compatible With a Battery Backup
If you live in California, all door openers are forced to operate with a battery backup for safety purposes.
If you have a LiftMaster garage door DC model, check for the battery backup logo. Your motor unit may already have or is ready for a battery backup. You can check its product description and information in your user manual.
The LiftMaster garage door opener models with backup batteries are:
- LiftMaster 8500W Jackshaft Opener
- LiftMaster WLED Belt Drive
- LiftMaster 8550W Belt Drive
- LiftMaster 8360 Chain Drive
- LiftMaster 8360W
This battery backup system is further compatible with the following:
- LiftMaster LJ8900W
- LiftMaster LJ8950W
- LiftMaster 8500
- LiftMaster 87504-267
- LiftMaster 87802
- LiftMaster 84602
Another advantage of having a battery backup system is its continuous remote access. LiftMaster garage doors can be accessed remotely using myQ technology via the web or a mobile phone app.
This ensures that you can operate the door despite power outages wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection. The myQ system can be accessed by the phone’s mobile LTE service even if your modem is also dead.
How to Replace a Garage Door Opener Battery
The backup battery already needs a replacement if the door opener beeps and the battery LED status turns red. When it is time, LiftMaster generally requires OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer replacement.
It means that you need to replace the battery with the replacement part from the same manufacturer as your garage door opener.
Replacing the battery is done through the following simple steps:
- Disconnect the opener from the main power.
- Remove the battery from the motor unit.
- Insert the new battery into the right terminals and replace the battery cover.
- Charge the new battery for 24 hours.
- Test the battery by cutting off the main supply and operating the garage door with the door’s access control devices.
Improving the Performance of Garage Door Openers
The battery backup solution is initially considered like other garage door opener accessories. But, realizing how important it is in emergencies ensures that you have a fully functioning backup system.
Always give yourself that peace of mind that you can access your door conveniently anytime with legit backup batteries. Visit us at All Security Equipment for the original LiftMaster battery 485LM and other gate and garage door products.
We recommend using only OEM products to extend the operational life of your garage door. The garage door is one of the home service areas you cannot leave vulnerable.
At All Security Equipment, we provide you with high-quality equipment and devices backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
