Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Garage door opener

hey ive read mentioned here and there that some people have hooked up a garage door opener to there dash?

anyone know where i can get more info? cheers

Here's the 2 that I was made aware of. I have a mini remote mounted on a bracket bolted to the inside of my windshield bracket.

http://www.mcgdo.com/index.htm

http://www.aaaremotes.com/skmtunmogado.html

someday I will have a door for my garage

Here is a built in opener. Just toggle your highbeams to activate

http://www.motofx.com/

this one appears to look like it might be the better of the 3 only because it doesn't require external batteries and as Larry mentions, only requires a toggle of existing switches.

So my question is has anyone bought and installed it or any of the others for that matter?

I did install and use the MotoFX for two years. It always worked great and it still on my bike. I no longer use it however because my new garage door opener is incompatable with it. It will not work with a rolling code opener. I guess I should sell or trade it.

Whay not take a spare remote, take it apart and replace the button with a small button (small enough for the dash) and stuff everything under the dash?

Soren

I used 2 sided tape to stick it under the tank. It would not work- too much interference I guess. The opener workes fine in your hand. Stick under the tank- nothing, pull it out- works fine. Stick it under the tank- nothing, pull it out...

I bought a $25 mini remote for my Genie. Soldered it to a micro-switch from Radio Shack. Mounted the button on the plastic key surround. Remote is under the seat. Later, I bought a water-proof marine momentary switch, but now concur the Radio Shack switch was neater looking.

Works like a charm, first battery still there after three seasons.

I sent this email to Staffo on my opener, a few months ago:

From: Al Jones [mailto:ssjones@myactv.net]
Sent: Tuesday, 29 May 2007 12:00 AM
To: 'John'
Subject: RE: remote switch



Staffo:

That switch is to my garage door opener. It is a marine switch from Graingers:

Marine Momentary Switch
3HZ9Z
Graingers, uses Boot #3HZ09 @ $12.54


I believe the switch was around $20. I initially just used a small, black momentary switch from Radio Shack for about $4. Not sure the water-proof marine switch is completely necessary, but I guess it keeps my battery from shorting out when wet. But, you can buy a lot of batteries for $30-couple dollars!



It's easy to wire the switch to a Genie mini-remote.



Also found this much cheaper marine switch, but not sure how large it is:

http://www.ogracing.com/eshop/itemdetail.asp?ses=601m0i1mtz1f5za88e&itemid=258&showbrake=1



I'd probably gamble on the OG Racing switch before dropping $35 again from Graingers.



Let me know if you have any other questions. It is very convenient to ride in and out and not have to get off the bike. The wire solder job takes about 10 minutes. I wrapped the mini-remote in a plastic bag and it's tucked in under the wire cover under the seat.



Thanks,

Al Jones

Man, on this one I'm just low tech. I keep an extra (small) remote in my pocket when riding. Usually my left pocket so I can push the button through my jacket or pants while coasting down the street to my house.

Hi again Al, yes I still have your email and thanks again for your info. When I read you response I still wasn't sure what you soldered the switch too (pardon my ignorance) and I wasn't sure it would work with my garage door. Anyway I left that one go for a while and since that time, Larry and his remote came up which I prefer only because of what I explained before.

I just emailed this mob to ask them for further details on installation cos I really dislike those minimalist websites where they say "everything is SO Easy, just trust us" thing.

So larry, you say it worked fine so how easy was it to install to the bike's electrics if you don't mind me asking?

Al, some pics would be great, especially for the electronically intellectually challenged folk like myself

Here's a shot where the remote is stored. You can see the wires from the switch, snaking under the frame rail and into the electrical cover.

Electrical cover removed. Remote is in a zip-lock baggie for some extra water protection. It's never failed yet, so guess that is working. Don't think it ever gets too wet under the seat, but cheap insurance.

Here is my Genie remote. The website I used said this would work with virtually any brand remote, I guess they are all wired/work similarly.

I cut a little slot in the remote to run in the two-strand wire.

Finally, the inside of the remote, showing the two soldered wires. If you can't read a board (I can't..), just experiment with the lead wired to the switch and find out which two points make the opener work your door. I hit it on the first try. I don't think you can do any harm here. Once I found the two leads, I just added a touch of solder to hold the wires in place. Buttoned her all back up and I'm in business. Nothing more satisfying than hitting that button on the way in/out. (ie: lazy!)

That's cool! You're going to make me go high tech now...