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Came home yesterday with no power to my garage door. Checked the circuit breaker and saw that it wasn't tripped. We had power to the rest of the house. Took a quick look at the connection where the plug was, and it was plugged in. The lights in the garage were still turning on as well.
I took a closer look at the connection where it plugs in and noticed that it came slightly out of the outlet. It was still plugged into the outlet, but it wasn't making enough contact. I guess I hadn't notice before, but the cord is stretched to it's max and when connected there is just enough cord to make contact with the outlet.
The cord itself is approximately 5' long as is the distance from the opener to the outlet on the ceiling. I guess over time, the cord came loose enough causing it to lose contact with outlet. I don't want to run an extension cord, and there is no place else to relocate the outlet. Would something like this work as a permanent fix? Having about an extra inch would keep the cord from coming loose over time but I want to be sure that this is a "safe" fix.
I don't suppose that using a triple tap would "hurt", however the better option would be (as you've already stated) to move the outlet, or put a longer cord on the garage door opener.
We use the triple taps for outdoor power all the time, but mostly for things like christmas / halloween decorations. I would assume the draw from the garage door opener (when running) would be more significant. (Not sure if garage door opener outlet is a 15amp or 20amp).
I'm sure some of the construction experts will be along and give you some better/more specific informaiton.
You have options but in all seriousness a short extension cord secured neatly is all you need.
Other options:
1) add another outlet above the opener
2) replacing cord of opener with a longer one
3) adding and extension cord but routing it above the ceiling and then dropping it right above the opener.
4) splice a new right angle/wall flush plug along with some extra cord to the existing opener cord.
The truth is that the outlet for your opener was put in the wrong place... My recommendation is just to get a 2ft extension cord and some hooks you can secure everything with on the ceiling and be done with it. I have electrical know how and would consider adding an outlet that taps into the power of the existing one for a cleaner look (I wouldn't pay to have this done).
Thanks, I'll probably look at getting a short extension cord and neatly secure it to the ceiling. The outlet is directly above the opener, so I can't move it any closer.
The triple tap will more than likely solve your 1" dilemma. However, you'll still be fighting the same issue as before- gravity and vibration.
The simplest solution is a short extension cord- but then then you still have to deal with the additional cord- coiling and wire tying to the opener hanger. Doing it in such a way that it relieves any pulling pressure on the recepticle and/or the power cord/extension connection.
The best course of action would be to replace to present power cord with one that is longer- not hard- just a little mechanical know-how and some patients.
I have high garage ceiling and my garage opener cord doesn't reach the ceiling. Just get a good extension cord and zip tied it to the opener bracket with some slacks. Never a problem for me in the past 10 years.
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Just a little longer cord and zip tie it to secure it.
