cheaper option garage door opener diy

[gibbygsxr]

Our '04 had homelink and I didn't realize how much I hated looking at the garage door opener hanging around the car. Can't believe a $52k suv doesn't come with it but what are you gonna do? The console is in the $250 range and this cost me $10 with the switches. This was what I came up with...

1. Open up your garage door opener. You need to test and find out which contacts make a connection when you push the button. Mine is a craftsman so you could assume it is the same but test at your discretion. Now solder one wire on each contact. (Pic 1)

2. Notch the garage door opener case so the wires don't get pinched and run them out. (Pic 2) I soldered 4 wires but only took pics while doing the first set.

3. I used valet buttons from an alarm temporarily until my lighted switches come from China but you can use any momentary switch. (Pic 3)

4. Find a good spot to mount your switches and hook up the two wires from the garage door opener to the two contacts on your switch and tuck the whole thing in the ceiling and you now have a built in bootleg homelink. (Pic 4 + 5)

 

[CrashTestDummy]

So you just stuffed the whole opener up into the console? What happens when the battery in the opener finally dies?

 

[gibbygsxr]

So you just stuffed the whole opener up into the console? What happens when the battery in the opener finally dies?

You take it out and replace it like you would have to anyway. It's only two screws...

Really how often do you have to change the batteries anyway?

 

[ezdaar]

could probly hard wire it to cig lighter without burning it up as most 9volt electronics can handle almost dbl.

if not a 9 volt regulator shouldnt cost maybe 2$

 

[CHOO CHOO]

It honestly doest look that bad. Nice job man!

 

[gibbygsxr]

It honestly doest look that bad. Nice job man!

Thanks. Just waiting for the new buttons.

 

[Sho'Tyme]

I agree doesn't look bad at all...personally I would have Velcro my remote in a hidden spot...

 

[Ponchonutty]

When I have customers requesting garage openers installed, I go for this http://www.homelink.com/home/welcome They are the ones making it for most automakers anyways. With some modification, you can mount this sucker in the same exact spot where the factory would have put it. The one I use is the one on the bottom left of the home pages. They come with 3 different colored housings to match the interior. I've never mounted one in the headliner even though it's made for it. I usually find a suitable plastic panel to modify.

 

[gibbygsxr]

When I have customers requesting garage openers installed, I go for this http://www.homelink.com/home/welcome They are the ones making it for most automakers anyways. With some modification, you use this sucker in the same exact spot where the factory would have put it. The one I use is the one on the bottom left of the home pages. They come with 3 different colored housings to match the interior. I've never mounted one in the headliner even though it's made for it. I usually find a suitable plastic panel to modify.

We install those at my job as well. I found that the tan is too tan and the gray is too gray to match the neutral headliner color. They do work well in many applications.

 

[CHOO CHOO]

Really contemplating doing this myself...would be a nice little mod to do...