Mounting Position

Chamberlain WD962KEV Garage Door Opener

These garage door openers are designed as ceiling-mounted openers. In other words, they must be mounted on the ceiling. If you have low ceilings, minimal overhead space or even very tall vehicles, then these openers are not for you.

Color

Both openers come in a black and white color combo that looks quite attractive. Several users have praised the color design of these openers, as being classy, elegant and still functional.

Size and Weight

These Chamberlain openers have the same weight and size specifications.

DC Motor and Power

Being equipped with a 3/4HP DC motor puts these machines on the list of the most powerful and yet extremely quiet garage door openers. The high power rating makes them quite capable of controlling both single and double doors. The motors are also belt rather than chain driven, ensuring a very smooth and quiet operation in spite of their large power consumption.

It should be noted that some online stores and sites give the specifications of the HD920EV to be 1/4HP and the WD962KEV to be 3/4HP. This discrepancy in power rating might lead many potential buyers to believe that the WD962KEV is actually more powerful than the HD920EV. This is not the case, as both openers consume the same amount of power and are equally powerful. Several users also went ahead to speak with the Chamberlain support team on this issue, and it was confirmed that the power rating for both openers are actually the same.

Battery Backup

Almost all Chamberlain openers depend on electricity to function. However, in the event of a power outage, the HD920EV and WD962KEV door openers are designed with an in-built battery backup unit. Once the power goes off, the backup unit immediately switches on and ensures the continuous operation of the opener. With the backup unit, the opener can safely open and close the door a maximum number of twenty times in the first 24 hours of a power outage.

Soft Start and Stop

This feature helps protect both the garage door and the floor by ensuring that the door starts moving at a low speed and also closes at a low speed. By so doing, the door never forcefully hits the ground and as such, prevents needless damages to both the door and your floors. The soft start and stop feature also helps the openers to maintain their reputation of a noiseless and smooth operation.

Smart Control Panel

The control panels of these openers are quite multifunctional and very important. Users can use the panels to program the included remote control units and wireless keypads and sync them with the openers.

The panels also have the added advantage of being motion-sensitive. In other words, once movement is detected in the garage, the panel immediately switches on the opener lights to provide illumination and prevent collision or accidents in the garage.

The biggest benefit of these panels is their internet connectivity. Enabled with Chamberlain’s MyQ technology, this panel provides users the ability to control their openers from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet gateway or hub and a smartphone containing the MyQ mobile app.

Internet Gateway

The internet gateway serves as a connection hub syncing the opener to the MyQ app on your smartphone. The WD962KEV does not come with this gateway and thus, the hub must be purchased separately, installed and set up in order to enjoy the full benefits of the MyQ technology.

The HD920EV on the other hand comes with the internet gateway and eliminates the need for users to shell out additional cash to purchase the internet hub.

Click here to get more details on the Chamberlain WD962KEV

Accessories

Apart from the control panel, both openers also come with two remote control units and a wireless keypad. With the remote control unit, users can easily open and shut their garage doors from the comfort of their cars. The remotes are designed with visor clips so that they can be easily clipped to your car’s sun visors.

The wireless keypad is usually mounted on the wall and comes in handy in emergency situations: when the remotes or your smartphone are not with you at the moment or when delivery men, service contractors or other personnel need to access the garage in your absence.

In addition, while the HD920EV comes with a MyQ remote light switch, the WD962KEV has a MyQ remote lamp control.

Protection

Both openers also come with two safety sensors for protection purposes. These sensors project invisible infrared beams across the door’s opening once the door is closing. If an object or a person crosses the opening during that timeframe, the beams are interrupted, the opener light automatically comes on and the door’s motion is instantly reversed.

The openers also come with a timer-to-close feature that can be enabled using the control panel. With this feature, users can set the time they want the door to close if left open after use.

Security

The PosiLock security feature of both openers ensures that after the door has been closed, a deadbolt mechanically locks it down to prevent thieves from forcing it open after cutting the power. The rolling security code feature also helps ensure that only authorized individuals can open the door. Each time any of the accompanying remotes is used, the control panel changes the entry code to be used in accessing the opener next time.

Warranty

Both devices offer a lifetime warranty on their motors and belts, a 5-year warranty on other parts and a 1-year warranty on accessories.

Pros and Cons of the Chamberlain HD920EV

Pros

• Enabled with MyQ internet connectivity
• Internet gateway comes with the opener
• Has reliable protection and security features
• Powerful yet quiet motor

Cons

• Short lifespan of the battery backup unit

Pros and Cons of the Chamberlain WD962KEV

Pros

• Enabled with MyQ internet connectivity
• Has reliable protection and security features
• Powerful yet quiet motor

Cons

• Short lifespan of the battery backup unit
• Internet gateway must be purchased separately