Garage Control

[etc6849]

This thread scared me (especially since my wife also left the garage door open by accident that same week!), so I added sensors for my garage last month.

Since my garage door opener was installed with cat5 (I think most new homes are like this): I used the existing cat5 cable that went from each of the garage door openers obstacle sensors to the garage door opener and patched it into the cat5 cable that went to the wall mounted opener switch. This let me add two magnetic door sensors (one one each side of the garage door, wired in series) without having to fish wire to the garage door (which would have been difficult since my garage walls are finished). I did have to fish some cat5 from the opener switch to my Elk panel, but this wasn't too hard. The unused cat5 wires made things very easy.

I also added a dual technology PIR that uses microwave plus IR and haven't received any false alarms (any motion in the garage is announced whether the system is armed or not). This is very surprising since the PIR faces the garage door (which is aluminum).

I now have an announcement that is made every few minutes when the garage door is left open, however, I haven't added the ability to open/close the door (this would be very easy since I have spare conductors ran now). How useful is this ability? I'm kind of paranoid that someone with internet access armed with my ip address/username/password could open my garage door... Any thoughts about this?

 

[pete_c]

I set up my garage door with double magnetic switches for the reason you mention above. I like the PIR setup you mention.

Which PIR (Model and MFG) did you buy?

My configuration is utilizing the HAI OPII and HA server. I use TTS relating to status if the door is left open.

The second magnetic switch is in place to prevent an accidental opening of the garage door. One is NO and the other is NC.

Historically though because of some automation logic (years ago with old alarm panel, etc) I have little HA rules in place but I am able to if need be watch the garage doors via video from inside and outside and remote to open or close garage door.

Personally though rarely utilize this feature.

 

[tmbrown97]

Well, I've been interfacing with my garage doors this way for over 10 years in many houses because when I used to rent houses, they never had the remotes - and I won't leave a remote in my car (don't want someone breaking into the car to get the remote) - so I have always had the garage door opener add-on module with my car's security system so the same remote that arms/disarms my car can open the garage doors. When I added in the Elk, I went ahead and added garage door control as well following the same method.

I use the garage door control pretty often - and it saved my butt once when my wife locked the keys in my truck while we were away - I was able to have her mom call me from the house, then I used my iPhone to disarm the alarm and open the garage door to let her in to get the spare - then close it all up when she was done. Very handy.


Security is your responsibility though - to keep your name/password and passcode away from anyone - because honestly, if they have that, they can disarm your alarm - then kick in doors, and do whatever they want. You can add additional security if you want saying the house must be disarmed to allow opening the door, or different logic to secure the garage as well.

 

[etc6849]

Sentrol/GE RCR-PET
They are big and unattractive, but work very well. You can even set the range in feet using a jumper. I bought 5 semi used from ebay for about $50 total with shipping, but Worthington Distribution carries them...

Which PIR (Model and MFG) did you buy?

 

[pete_c]

Thanks etc.

 

[signal15]

I like having garage door control. I used to have an RFID system hooked up that would open the garage when you came home automatically, but I don't always want to do that in the winter, so it's disabled right now.

But, I don't like leaving opener remotes in the car if I park outside. So I put a keyfob on my keychain. When you press the button that I assigned to open the door, it disarms the garage area, and then opens the door. Plus, I flash one of the lights on my keypad inside if the door is open, and I can just press the flashing button to close all of the doors.

If one of my neighbors needs to borrow something when I'm gone, they can call me when they're out front and I can open the door for them. If you've got the capability to wire it, might as well do it. It does come in handy, even if you don't use it all the time.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

The novice automation enthusiast uses contact sensor(s) to monitor their garage door position. The PROFESSIONAL knows the exact position of their garage door at all times within a couple of inches!

http://www.cocoontec...ge-door-monitor

 

[pete_c]

Nice article there BSR ....been redoing my garage in the last few months (adding wires etc)...

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Nice article there BSR ....been redoing my garage in the last few months (adding wires etc)...

I got some extra rubber corks if you want them (perfect size for this)

 

[pete_c]

Thanks BSR.

 

[pete_c]

I'm cautious when playing around the garage door springs. I had one break last year and wouldn't attempt to fix it; rather just called in a garage door service.

Many many years ago I remember my father adjusting the automated garage door; this was the days before the IR sensors etc. He was adjusting the up / down travel of the door and was standing there watching the garage door motor as it went up. For whatever reason one set of panels came off their tracks and knocked him in the head and he became unconscious for for about 15 minutes; this memory makes me go slow with garage door endeavors.