Garage Door Opener Mod

[Rubi13]

Does anyone know how this is done?  I'm talking about using a switch inside your jeep to operate your garage doors.  That's the only feature that Stacey and I really miss.  I loved it on my grand cherokee..the remote is just a pain....visors are so thin in the jeep, it just slides off and lands on the floor all the time.  Plus I don't need to have that out in the open...we just lost one, and they charged us $40 for a replacement.  I know I saw a write up somewhere, where they used factory looking switches to activate it.. I don't want the silver toggle one.

 

[MasterDrazhar]

I can show you how to do it, it's easy... bring one with your to the wrenchfest.

.

 

[Rubi13]

okay...do I need to get a switch of some kind, or are there unused ones...i can't remember

 

[MasterDrazhar]

You can use ANY momentary type switch that you want, I'll just show you what you need to do at the wrenchfest, then you can take your time and set it all up however you'd like later.

The switch DOES HAVE TO BE a MOMENTARY type switch though, can't be a toggle type

Momentary would be like your rear window de-icer, where you press it, and when you let go it returns to it's original position.  Toggle would be like your fog light switch, on/off and it stays where you put it.

Personally, I'd find a nice LED lighted pushbutton type and put it in a handy spot on the dash or console.

If you do get all the materials before the fest, we can set it all up if you need to if time permits.

 

[Rubi13]

cool..i'll take a look around.  I doubt i'll have the stuff in time, but i'll start looking for switches...thanks
:smile:

 

[Rubi13]

Draz....I think the LED is the way to go....most of the time I am pulling in the garage at night, so it would be great to have it lit.  I'm having some problems finding switches though...if you come across any can you shoot me a link?  :wink:

 

[yj-mike]

Can't make it to the wrenchfest. Can someone explain what is involved so that I can do this mod also? I have an electronics background so a technical explanation is ok.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[MasterDrazhar]

Can't make it to the wrenchfest. Can someone explain what is involved so that I can do this mod also? I have an electronics background so a technical explanation is ok.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike,

    Open up your existing opener, solder 2 long wires to the contact points for the existing switch (I'm Assuming you know what I mean by this), close the opener back up (You may need to cut a notch in the case for the wires to exit through unless you can sneak them out the button opening which I cant do on my new one, but could on my old one)

    Find a place to "mount" the opener, either behind the glove box, or IN it, or somewhere under the dash, but make it accessible so you can change out the battery (Or you can figure out how to wire it into a 12v source and step the voltage down to whatever is needed for your opener, mine is a 3.5V calculator battery)

  Run the wires out to your dash or console mounted momentary switch.

  That's pretty much IT...  If you use an LED lighted switch you'll need to also tie the led into a switched power source for the LED, pref one tied to the dash illumination.

  Lemmi know if you need more info.

 

[JeepinMaxx]

Bob, I have a few really nice small push button momentary switches - I'll bring them (and my soldering Iron)

 

[massxj]

http://www.bizrate.com/homehardware/oid360035413.html

 

[Rubi13]

Bob, I have a few really nice small push button momentary switches - I'll bring them (and my soldering Iron)

Thanks Frank...that's great!  :mrgreen:

 

[yj-mike]

Draz,

Thanks, that is all the information I need.

Mike

 

[beaker]

Radio shack still carries switches (at least some still do)

 

[MasterDrazhar]

http://www.bizrate.com/homehardware/oid360035413.html

Yuppie crap!    :fish:

 

[re-run]

Garage opener mods eh? what is this 'garage' you speak of? HAHA

 

[jon]

I reccomend using the battery with this mod.  As if you cut power to the remote and open the door once you rolling code will be off  (most openers in the last 10 years use a rolling code)

also if for any reason you need to resync the opener and the remote you can easily remove it. some openers are a PITA and require the remote to be pretty close to the opener when you sync it so that the neighbor doesn't get synced as well.

Jon

 

[MasterDrazhar]

I reccomend using the battery with this mod.  As if you cut power to the remote and open the door once you rolling code will be off  (most openers in the last 10 years use a rolling code)

I don't hook it up to a switched power source, the current drain from the remote is so minimal I don't worry about draining my car battery.

 

[Rubi13]

Garage opener mods eh? what is this 'garage' you speak of? HAHA

A garage is the best Mod my house had...my last house didn't have one.....man did I hate winter then...Now it's not that bad...ESPECIALLY now!  c'mon Saturday is supposed to be 62

 

[re-run]

Oh you mean that big thing that my parents have and every house I can afford to live in doesn't have, I guess I"ll have to stay close to the parents and do my work in their garage

 

[jon]

I reccomend using the battery with this mod.  As if you cut power to the remote and open the door once you rolling code will be off  (most openers in the last 10 years use a rolling code)

I don't hook it up to a switched power source, the current drain from the remote is so minimal I don't worry about draining my car battery.

sorry, I was a little unclear iwth this.  I was saying I reccomend using the internal battery so that if you ever need to reprogram the remote its easier.

a lot of the new openers are a PITA and require the remote to be within 2 or 3 feet to program.