Chamberlain 8550 User manual

CONTENTS
Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-13
Install the Door Control. . . . . . 14-15
Install the Protector System®. . 16-19
Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-24
Battery Backup*. . . . . . . . . . . 25-26
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Door Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30
Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . 31-32
To Erase the Memory . . . . . . . . . 32
To Open the Door Manually . . . . . 33
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . 35-36
Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Repair Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39-41
* If applicable
ELITE Series
Garage Door Opener
LiftMaster
845 Larch Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-1196
■ Please read this manual and the enclosed safety materials carefully!
■ Fasten the manual near the garage door after installation.
■The door WILL NOT CLOSE unless the Protector System®is connected and properly
aligned.
■ Periodic checks of the garage door opener are required to ensure safe operation.
■The model number label is located on the left side panel of your garage door opener.
■This garage door opener is ONLY compatible with MyQ®and Security✚2.0™
accessories.
■DO NOT enable the Timer-to-Close feature if you are installing the garage door
opener on a one-piece door. The Timer-to-Close is to be used ONLY with sectional
doors.
NOTE: If you are installing the garage door opener on a one-piece door, visit
www.LiftMaster.com for installation instructions.
www.LiftMaster.com
Serial Number:
Date of Purchase:
Models
• 8550 - DC Belt Drive
with Battery Backup
• 8557 - 3/4 hp
Belt Drive
FOR RESIDENTIAL USE ONLY
Write down the following information for
future reference:
.

2
Safety Symbol and Signal Word
Review
Thisgarage door opener hasbeen designed and
tested to offer safe service provided itis installed,
operated,maintained and tested in strict
accordance with the instructionsand warnings
contained in this manual.
When you see these Safety Symbols and Signal
Words on the following pages, they will alertyou to
the possibility of serious injury or death if you do
not comply with the warnings that accompany them.
The hazard may come from something mechanical
or from electric shock. Read the warnings carefully.
Mechanical
Electrical
When you see thisSignal Word on the following
pages, it will alert you to the possibility of damage to
your garage door and/or the garage door opener if
you do not comply with the cautionary statements
that accompany it. Read them carefully.
Check the Door
To prevent possible SERIOUSINJURYor
DEATH:
lALWAYS call a trained door systems
technician if garage door binds,sticks,
or isout ofbalance.An unbalanced
garage door may NOT reverse when
required.
lNEVER tryto loosen,move or adjust
garage door,door springs, cables,
pulleys,brackets or their hardware,
ALLof which are under EXTREME
tension.
lDisable ALLlocks and remove
ALLropesconnected to garage door
BEFORE installation and operating
garage door opener to avoid
entanglement.
To preventdamage to garage door and
opener:
lALWAYS disable locks BEFORE
installing and operating the opener.
lONLY operate garage door opener at
120V, 60Hzto avoid malfunction and
damage.
1. Disable locks and remove any ropes
connected to the garage door.
2. Lift the door halfway up. Release the
door. If balanced, it should stay in place,
supported entirely by its springs.
3. Raise and lower the door to check for
binding or sticking. Ifyour door binds,
sticks, or is out of balance, call a trained
door systems technician.
4. Check the seal on the bottom ofthe door.
Any gap between the floor and the
bottom of the door must not exceed
1/4inch (6 mm). Otherwise, the safety
reversal system may not work properly.
5. The opener should be installed above
the center ofthe door. Ifthere is a torsion
spring or center bearing plate in the way
of the header bracket, it may be installed
within 4feet (1.2 m) to the leftor right of
the door center.See page 7.
Torsion
Spring
Extension
Spring
OR
Tools Needed
2
1
3/16
7/16
1/2
5/32
5/16
5/8
9/16
1/4
7/16
Preparation

3
Carton Inventory
Accessorieswill vary depending on the garage door opener model purchased.Depending on your
specific model,other accessories may be included with your garage door opener.The instructions for
these accessories will be attached to the accessory and are notincluded in this manual. The images
throughout this manual are for reference and your product may look different.
A. Header bracket
B. Pulley and bracket
C. Door bracket
D. Curved door arm
E. Straight door arm
F. Trolley
G. Emergency release rope and handle
H. Rail
I. Garage door opener
J. Sprocket cover with hex screws
K. Belt
L. Door control
M. White and red/white wire
N. The Protector System®
Safety reversing sensorswith white and white/blackwire attached: Sending Sensor (1)
Receiving Sensor (1) and SafetySensor Brackets (2)
O. Safety labels and literature
P. Rail grease
Security+ 2.0™ Accessories
880LM
Smart Control Panel®
895MAX
Remote Control
Installation Hardware
Hex bolt 5/16"-18 x 7/8" (4) Lock washer 5/16" (4)
Lag screw 5/16"-9 x 1-5/8" (2) Self-threading screw1/4"-14 x 5/8" (2)
Clevis pin 5/16" x 2-3/4" (1) Ring fastener (3)
Clevis pin 5/16" x 1-1/4" (1) Carriage bolt 1/4"-20 x 1/2" (2)
Clevis pin 5/16" x1" (1) Wing nut 1/4"-20 (2)
Nut 5/16"-18 (4)
Door Control Hardware
Screw 6AB x 1" (2)
Screw 6-32 x 1" (2)
Drywall anchors (2)
Insulated staples
AB
C
J
N
I
OP
DE
F
H
G
K
L
M
Not Provided
Not
Provided
Preparation

4
Assembly
1 Attach the Rail to the Garage Door Opener
To avoid possible SERIOUS INJURY to finger from moving garage door opener:
lALWAYS keep hand clear of sprocketwhile operating opener.
lSecurely attach sprocket cover BEFORE operating.
To avoid SERIOUS damage to garage door opener, use ONLY those bolts/fasteners mounted in
the top of the opener.
NOTE: ONLY use the boltsremoved from the garage door opener. Place the garage door opener on
the packing material to prevent scratching.
1. Model 8550: Remove the two boltsfrom the top of the garage door opener.
Model 8557:Remove boltand lock nut from the top ofthe garage door opener.
2. Align the rail and the styrofoam over the sprocket.Cut the tape from the rail, belt, and
styrofoam.
3. Model 8550: Fasten the rail with the previouslyremoved bolts.
Model 8557: Fasten the rail with the previouslyremoved washered boltand lock nut.
4. Position the beltaround the garage door opener sprocket.
5. Attach the sprocket cover over the garage door opener sprocket and attach with hex screws.
Model 8550
Model 8557
Washered Bolt
5/16"-18x1/2"
Hex Screw
#8x3/8"
Lock Nut
Washered Bolt 5/16"-18x1/2"
(Mounted in the garage
door opener)
Model 8550 (2)
Model 8557 (1)
Hex Screw
#8x3/8"
(Packed with the
sprocket cover)
Lock Nut
(Mounted in the
garage door opener)
Model 8557 (1)
Washered Bolt
5/16"-18x1/2"
Hex Screw
#8x3/8"
HARDWARE

5
Assembly
2 Tighten the Belt
1. By hand, thread the spring trolley nut on the threaded shaft until it is finger tight against the
trolley.Do not use any tools.
2. Insert a flathead screwdriver tip into one ofthe nut ring slotsand brace itfirmlyagainstthe
trolley.
3. Tighten the spring trolley nutwith an adjustable wrench or a 7/16" open end wrench about a
quarter turn until the spring releases and snaps the nut ring againstthe trolley. This sets the
spring to optimum belt tension.
Spring Trolley Nut
(To motor unit)
Nut ring
slot
Nut Ring Nut Ring
AFTER RELEASE
1-1/4"
(3.18 cm)
BEFORE
1"
(2.5 cm)
1
2
3

6
Installation
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SEVERE INJURY or DEATH:
1. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTALLATION WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Install garage door opener ONLY on properlybalanced and lubricated garage door.An
improperly balanced door may NOT reverse when required and could resultin SEVERE
INJURY or DEATH.
3. ALL repairsto cables,spring assemblies and other hardware MUST be made by a trained
door systemstechnician BEFORE installing opener.
4. Disable ALL locks and remove ALL ropesconnected to garage door BEFORE installing
opener to avoid entanglement.
5. Install garage door opener 7 feet(2.13 m) or more above floor.
6. Mount the emergency release within reach, butat least6 feet (1.83 m) above the floor and
avoiding contact with vehicles to avoid accidental release.
7. NEVER connect garage door opener to power source until instructed to do so.
8. NEVERwear watches,rings or loose clothing while installing or servicing opener.They could
be caughtin garage door or opener mechanisms.
9. Install wall-mounted garage door control:
lwithin sight of the garage door.
lout of reach of children at minimum height of 5 feet (1.5 m).
laway from ALL moving parts of the door.
10. Place entrapment warning label on wall next to garage door control.
11. Place manual release/safetyreverse testlabel in plain view on inside ofgarage door.
12. Upon completion of installation, test safety reversal system. Door MUST reverse on contact
with a 1-1/2" (3.8 cm) high object(or a 2x4 laid flat) on the floor.
13. To avoid SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY or DEATH from electrocution, disconnectALL
electric and battery power BEFORE performing ANY service or maintenance.
14. DO NOT enable the Timer-to-Close functionalityif operating either one-piece or swinging
garage doors.To be enabled ONLY when operating a sectional door.
NOTE: If you are installing the garage door opener on a one-piece door, visit www.LiftMaster.com for installation instructions.

7
Installation
1 Determine the Header Bracket Location
To preventpossible SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
lHeader bracketMUST be RIGIDLY fastened to structural supporton header wall or ceiling,
otherwise garage door mightNOT reverse when required. DO NOT install header bracket
over drywall.
lConcrete anchors MUST be used ifmounting header bracket or 2x4 into masonry.
lNEVER try to loosen, move or adjust garage door, springs, cables, pulleys, brackets, or their
hardware, ALL of which are under EXTREME tension.
lALWAYS call a trained door systemstechnician if garage door binds,sticks,or isout of
balance.An unbalanced garage door might NOT reverse when required.
lDO NOT enable the Timer-to-Close functionality if operating either one-piece or swinging
garage doors.To be enabled ONLY when operating a sectional door.
NOTE: If you are installing the garage door opener on a one-piece door, visit www.LiftMaster.com for
installation instructions.
Close the door and mark the inside vertical centerline of the garage door.
Extend the line onto the header wall above the door. You can fasten the header bracketwithin 4 feet
(1.22 m) of the leftor right ofthe door center only ifa torsion spring or center bearing plate is in the way;
or you can attach itto the ceiling when clearance is minimal. (Itmaybe mounted on the wall upside down
if necessary,to gain approximately 1/2" (1 cm).If you need to install the header bracket on a 2x4 (on wall
or ceiling),use lag screws (notprovided) to securelyfasten the 2x4 to structural supports.
Open your door to the highest point of travel asshown. Draw an intersecting horizontal line on the
header wall 2" (5 cm) above the high point.This heightwill provide travel clearance for the top edge of
the door.
NOTE: If the total number of inches exceeds the height available in your garage, use the maximum
height possible, or refer to page 8 for ceiling installation.
Header Wall
Unfinished
Ceiling
Vertical Centerline
of Garage Door
2x4
2x4
Structural
Supports
Level
(Optional)
OPTIONAL
CEILING
MOUNT FOR
HEADER
BRACKET
Sectional door with curved track
Header Wall
Track
2" (5 cm)
Highest Point
of Travel
Door

8
Installation
2 Install the Header Bracket
You can attach the header bracket either to the wall above the garage door,or to the ceiling. Follow the
instructions which will work best for your particular requirements.Donot installthe headerbracket over
drywall. If installing into masonry, use concrete anchors (not provided).
HARDWARE
Lag Screw 5/16"-9x1-5/8"
OPTION A WALL INSTALLATION
1. Center the bracket on the vertical centerline with the bottomedge of the bracket on the
horizontal line asshown (with the arrow pointing toward the ceiling).
2. Mark the vertical set ofbracket holes (do not use the holes designated for ceiling mount).Drill
3/16" pilot holes and fasten the bracket securely to a structural supportwith lag screws.
Wall Mount
Optional
Mounting
Holes
Vertical
Centerline of
Garage Door
(Header Wall)
Header
Bracket
2x4 Structural
Support
Door Spring
(Garage Door)
Highest Point of
Garage Door
Travel
Horizontal
Line
Lag Screw
5/16" - 9 x 1-5/8"
OPTION B CEILING INSTALLATION
1. Extend the vertical centerline onto the ceiling asshown.
2. Center the bracket on the vertical mark,no more than 6" (15 cm) from the wall.Make sure the
arrow is pointing toward the wall. The bracket can be mounted flush against the ceiling when
clearance is minimal.
3. Mark the side holes.Drill 3/16" pilot holes and fasten bracketsecurely to a structural support
with lag screws.
(Header Wall)
Ceiling Mounting Holes
(Finished Ceiling)
Vertical
Centerline of
Garage Door
Header
Bracket
6" (15 cm)
Maximum
Door Spring
(Garage Door)
Lag Screw
5/16" - 9 x 1-5/8"

9
Installation
3 Attach the Rail to the Header Bracket
1. Align the rail with the header bracket.Insertthe clevis pin through the holes in the header
bracket and rail. Secure with the ring fastener.
NOTE: Use the packing material as a protective base for the garage door opener.
Ring
Fastener
Clevis Pin
5/16" X 2-3/4"
HARDWARE
Clevis Pin 5/16" x 2-3/4" Ring Fastener
4 Position the Garage Door Opener
To preventdamage to garage door,restgarage door opener rail on 2x4 placed on top section of
door.
1. Remove the packing material and lift the garage door opener onto a ladder.
2. Fullyopen the door and place a 2x4 (laid flat) under the rail.
A 2x4 isideal for setting the distance between the rail and the door.If the ladder is nottall enough you
will need help at this point.Ifthe door hits the trolley when it israised, pull the trolley release arm down to
disconnect the inner and outer trolley.Slide the outer trolley toward the garage door opener. The trolley
can remain disconnected until instructed.
Connected Disconnected

10
Installation
5 Hang the Garage Door Opener
To avoid possible SERIOUS INJURY from a falling garage door opener, fasten it SECURELY to
structural supportsofthe garage. Concrete anchorsMUST be used ifinstalling ANY bracketsinto
masonry.
Hanging your garage door opener will varydepending on your garage.Two representative installations
are shown.Yours may be different.Hanging bracketsshould be angled (Figure 1) to provide rigid
support.On finished ceilings(Figure 2),attach a sturdy metal bracketto structural supportsbefore
installing the opener. This bracket and fastening hardware are not provided.
1. Measure the distance from each side of the motor unit to the structural support.
2. Cutboth pieces ofthe hanging bracket to required lengths.
3. Drill 3/16" pilot holes in the structural supports.
4. Attach one end of each bracketto a support with 5/16"-18x1-7/8" lag screws (notprovided).
5. Fasten the opener to the hanging bracketswith 5/16"-18x7/8" hex bolts,lock washers and
nuts.
6. Check to make sure the rail is centered over the door (or in line with the header bracket ifthe
bracket isnot centered above the door).
7. Remove the 2x4.Operate the door manually.Ifthe door hitsthe rail, raise the header bracket.
NOTE: DO NOT connect power to opener at this time.
FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2
(Not Provided)
Lag Screws
5/16"- 18x1-7/8"
Measure
Distance
Hex Bolt 5/16"- 18x7/8", Lock Washer 5/16", Nut 5/16"-18
FIGURE 3
Not Provided
Finished Ceiling
Unfinished Ceiling
Hex Bolt 5/16"- 18x7/8" Nut 5/16"-18Lock Washer 5/16"
HARDWARE