“Modern DC powered garage door openers have many advantages over AC powered
models, and the PowerMax 1200 is no exception.”
| Price: $250 (est.) | |
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| PowerMax 1200 3/4 HP Screw Drive DC Garage Door Opener |
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The Genie PowerMax 1200 is a 3/4 HP screw drive DC garage door opener. With quiet DC power and all of Genie’s modern safety and security features, this DIY screw drive model is an excellent choice among higher-end models.
The PowerMax 1200 is the DIY version of theGenie TriloG 1200, available through Genie Pro dealers.
Most of Genie’s new models use a 140 Volt DC powered motor to lift most heavy solid wooden garage doors and carriage house doors with ease.
Even better for those who don’t like to wait, 3/4 HP DC model is faster than most models and will upen your garage door at up to 10 inches per second, compared with the typical 7 to 8 inches per second for most models.
NOTE: If you want the top-of-the-line 1 HP model, consider the Genie PowerMax 1500.
Genie PowerMax 1200 Garage Door Opener features:
| Horsepower: 3/4 HP DC Power Plus* Motor Type of Drive: Screw Light Source: 200 watt lighting system (Two 100-Watt bulbs, max.) Security Features:
Safety Features:
Warranty:
Special Features:
Options:.
*DC garage door opener power is actually rated in Newtons. For comparison purposes, this “Power Plus” model is tested to exceed the power of a comparable 3/4 HP AC model. |
What advantages do DC powered Genie garage door openers have over many AC models? There are several, including:
Soft Start and Stop – The garage door slows down when it reaches the top and bottom of its opening and closing cycle. This only makes for a quiet garage door opener, it also reduces wear and tear caused by the jarring action at the beginning and end of the cycle.
GenieSense™ Constant Monitoring – The DC motor and Genie’s new “GenieSense™” diagnostic system monitors garage door movement throughout the opening and closing cycle. Wear and tear is reduced and safety is improved.
If the garage door encounters an object (box, bike, etc.) or person in its path, the DC motor will stop and reverse. This safety feature is in addition to the Safe-T-Beam® infrared garage door sensors standard on this and most other garage door opener models.
More Efficient – DC motors use less energy. Even though garage door openers are not known as power hogs due to their infrequent use, every little bit helps when it comes to power consumption.
Genie PowerMax 1200 – Other Improvements
Dual Frequency System – Also known as “Auto Seek,” this frequency hopping feature causes the opener to choose either the 315 or 390 MHz transmission frequency, depending on which one offers the least interference.The PowerMax 1200 and Genie’s other new models use a dual frequency system, SmartSet™ programming, a new generation of multi-function wall control, and some models even have a motion sensor to turn the up to 200 Watt light system on when you enter the garage.
SmartSet™ – This easy-to-use programming feature allows for simple adjustments to speed, force and limits (when the garage door stops at the top and bottom of its cycle). No screw driver needed. Just use the clearly marked buttons to make simple adjustments.
Multi-Function Wall Control – The PowerMax 1200 wall control is much more than a doorbell button. In addition to the Open/Close button, is has a “Light” button to turn the light on an off, and a Sure-Lock™ button to lock out all radio transmissions and turn off the Open/Close feature. This is often referred to as a “vacation lock” since it is handy for times when you will be away from home on vacation or other extended activities.
Motion Sensing Light Control – Another new feature for several Genie garage door opener models is a built-in motion sensing light control. Integrated in the power head (the motor part that mounts to the ceiling), the motion sensor “senses” when you are in the garage and and turns on the garage door opener lights.
NOTE: If you do more than just park your cars in the garage, you may want more light than what is provided by the 200 watt (max.) system. It’s nice to add specialized garage lighting if you will be doing projects, crafts or other activities in your garage.
The one drawback (that I found) with the motion sensor is that it is actually heat activated. If it senses your heat in the garage, the light goes on, and vice versa. If the garage air temparature is about the same as your body temperature, the sensor’s range can be reduced.
Genie PowerMax 1200 Safety and Security
As with all Genie garage door openers, the Genie PowerMax 1200 has standard safety features as well as some enhanced features not included on every Genie model. Safe-T-Beam® infrared garage door sensors and a manual door release are both standard.
Infrared garage door sensors, as most people are aware, emit an infrared light across the base of the garage opening. If the light beam is broken, the garage door will not close or it will stop and reverse to re-open if it has already begun the closing cycle.
What is not standard on all Genie models is GenieSense™ technology. That’s because it is exclusive to DC powered models. As discussed earlier, the GenieSense™ system constantly monitors door movement and will stop and reverse the garage door if it encounters a person or object.
Genie also updated its Intellicode® remotes to Intellicode® 2 with better encryption. Remotes use “rolling codes” that change after every use to keep unwanted guests from stealing your code.
Genie PowerMax 1200 Garage Door Remotes
The PowerMax 1200 comes with the newest Genie 3-button garage door remotes that are backward compatible with Intellicode® 1 remotes. This is important if you have an older Intellicode equipped Genie garage door opener operating one of your other garage doors.
The PowerMax 1200 is also compatible with the HomeLink® and Car2U® home automation systems if your car is equipped.
Genie PowerMax 1200 Consumer Reports
Because the PowerMax 1200 is new to the market, consumer feedback is still limited. The PowerMax 1200 as well as the slighly more powerful Genie PowerMax 1500 promise to be good choices in the screw drive market based on Genie’s success with the Genie Pro counterparts.
Genie PowerMax 1200 Owner’s Manual
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