SINGLE DIN MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER7INMOTORTOUCHW\BLUETSingle DIN mountingFeaturing Bluetooth technologyWMA\MP4\MP3\ DVD\SVCD\VCD\ CDR\CDRW & SDVD compatibleUSB, SD memory card ports and front panel auxiliary inputResolution: 1440 x 234 pixelsBrightness: 600 NITSOn-screen display and NTSC\PAL compatible monitorPLL synthesized AM\FM ...
For more details please copy the Amazon link below in your browser:
Super! Works great! Thank you so much for this. Saved me from having to buy a new garage door opener! BTW...Radio shack doesn't sell 24 guage wire...at least my local doesn't so i used 22 guage solid wire and it works great as well. 30' each of red, black and green was only $5.99 too! Thanks again!
Very good app and presentation. Can I use another model of Bluetooth besides the Samsung HM1100? I have a LG HBM-230 that I'm not using, will this one work? Also, is it able to control the light from the garage opener app? Thank you.
Sorry to break the news to you guys but, Liftmaster's (chamberlain) new line of openers no longer uses an analog signal to trigger opening/closing of the door. This will work on any old models out there but by summer 2012, all openers this would work on will no longer be manufactured. And furthermore, the new line of Liftmaster openers are internet capable, which means you can download an app on your phone or website and have full control of your opener and accessories from anywhere in the world
Lou, Why do the wires have polarity if they are just acting as a switch? I noticed if I accidentally reverse them the door opens without a signal.
Would it be possible to use a small relay off this circuit to create output wires that act as a true simple switched signal?
I noticed if I turn the switch on the bluetooth receiver off then on the garage door opens without the bluetooth trigger, would this happen after a power loss?
@Nfapps Power loss (or low batt) will NOT cause the garage to open, even when power is restored.
Every switch, switches current. And current is only possible if a voltage is present. The voltage is presented by your garage door opener and for this application it needs to be DC voltage. AC voltage also has a polarity BTW, but the polarity changes every second at twice the HZ rate.
If AC voltage is present, then you need to use a relay(btmate.com, click the Relay Mate link).
In the ad for Staples starting 10/9/11, they have the HM1100 for only $10 after rebate. That's a steal! Get it while they got it. I have the app and this set up and use my wife's phone and my phone on it with great range and no issues...and our garage door opener is OOOOLD!
I just hooked mine up with my Droid X and it works awesome! By the way, you can get the HM1100 at Office Depot for $14.99 thru Sept 10, 2011. I got mine there today.
Lou, I'm going to attempt this poject with my Somfy Axorn 70 - There are 4 terminals for connection though. The information for what they are is stated as;
1: +
1 & 3: "No Conact" opening control
2 & 3: "No Contact" Cell and/or gate contact
4: -
would I be right in thinking I should be connecting to terminal 1 & 3 for my bluetooth? I'm not doing this project for a few more days but would be nice to know in case i might mess up! Would an easy test to be to bridge 1&3 and see if I get operation?
@kriskjb Here's what you should test. First find the wires that go to your control switch. Then check the voltage on these wires -- it should be between 4 -30 Volts DC. Just make sure the red wire goes to the positive and the black to the negative. Note that I have never tested on a Somfy. So far the only garage-door opener we found it doesn't work on is a Wayne-Dalton. Good luck. Let me know your results.
Thanks for the heads up Lou, I'll let you know my results, but I don't have a control switch for inside though, just a remote control only! i'll do some voltage tests and see what results I get.
Hi Lou - the results are in.... Somfy "Axorn" 70 - Success! It was terminal 1 & 3 for anyone else who needs to know.
I'm now considering a sealed box for my headset to sit in. Reason being is because I live in the UK; In the summer it's sometimes humid and cool at night, and in the winter, I'll have the heating on when I'm working in the garage, so condesation may build up in the evenings.
@kriskjb This is a question for a nutritionist because factories/farms (same thing these days) add iron to rice during the fortification process. Rice on its own is mostly cellulose and will not attenuate the signal .. but the iron might. I say this all jokingly and your idea will likely work just fine.
FYI, I tested high humidity situations and the HM1100 has to be dripping with water before humidity is an issue.
Hey man, I gotta say this is the best lifehack I've seen all year. I just hooked it up to a LiftMaster 1355, and it's working flawlessly. I can't thank you enough!!!!
Not sure I'm doing something wrong but the garage door goes up/down both when I connect and when I disconnect. Making it rather useless for me. Well maybe if I can get it to go up when I connect and back down when I disconnect it might sort of work for me.
@billybrosco77 Greetings Billy. Frankly you will have more attenuation at the solder joint than any gain achieved through a superior antenna. For now you can improve your range by extending the wires so that the headset is close to the front of the garage and sits above the garage door or to the driver-side of the garage door. That should really improve things if you have a metal garage door.
@crazysamz Please see the FAQ on the BTmate website. The headset is always plugged in, so the battery is irrelevant.. On the FAQ I also explain what happens years from now when the battery is at its end of usable life. If the power supply accidentally gets unplugged, the HM1100 will just die quietly without opening the garage.
@420superdude There are millions to billions of possible MAC-ID codes. Every single HM1100 has a unique ID that is impossible to guess. And even if a stranger KNEW the ID, the HM1100 is not "Discoverable" the way other BT devices are. The HM1100 does not send out a radio signal unless you have it in your hands and are initiating pairing which only lasts a few seconds. If a stranger goes up to your garage and hits "Scan for Devices" they would never see your HM1100 on their Smartphone.
...another satisfied customer here! BTW, Radio Shack had the HM1100 on sale for $19.99, and a soldering kit with solder, iron, and heatsink, etc. for $8.99. THANKS!
@louprado Do you happen have a list of the headsets that you did test? I have a couple old ones lying around and was going to give it a shot with one of them, just didn't want to waste my time if it was one you tested already.
If you solder a 3.5mm (1/8") mono plug in place of the garage door opener itself, you have created a cheap wireless switch, which could be used to control anything. In the field of assistive technology, nearly everything uses this connection, so you just showed us a cheap and easy way to control wheelchairs, communication devices, computers, toys, and more with any smartphone!
To control simple battery-powered devices, just use a battery interrupter.
BIG DISCOUNT goo.gl\mS8xS
Car Video
Bluetooth Receiver
SINGLE DIN MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER7INMOTORTOUCHW\BLUETSingle DIN mountingFeaturing Bluetooth technologyWMA\MP4\MP3\ DVD\SVCD\VCD\ CDR\CDRW & SDVD compatibleUSB, SD memory card ports and front panel auxiliary inputResolution: 1440 x 234 pixelsBrightness: 600 NITSOn-screen display and NTSC\PAL compatible monitorPLL synthesized AM\FM ...
For more details please copy the Amazon link below in your browser:
goo.gl\mS8xS
perfeddauiv 4 days ago
just did this mod, piece of cake... installed axis cam, just to double check that door is shut, great stuff!!! thank you (bought your app as well)
41582com 1 week ago
Super! Works great! Thank you so much for this. Saved me from having to buy a new garage door opener! BTW...Radio shack doesn't sell 24 guage wire...at least my local doesn't so i used 22 guage solid wire and it works great as well. 30' each of red, black and green was only $5.99 too! Thanks again!
jaageetube 1 month ago
Hey, Is there any specific red/black wires I should pick up in order to do this project?
everittep 1 month ago
Very good app and presentation. Can I use another model of Bluetooth besides the Samsung HM1100? I have a LG HBM-230 that I'm not using, will this one work? Also, is it able to control the light from the garage opener app? Thank you.
MysticMythical 1 month ago
Sorry to break the news to you guys but, Liftmaster's (chamberlain) new line of openers no longer uses an analog signal to trigger opening/closing of the door. This will work on any old models out there but by summer 2012, all openers this would work on will no longer be manufactured. And furthermore, the new line of Liftmaster openers are internet capable, which means you can download an app on your phone or website and have full control of your opener and accessories from anywhere in the world
Dev850 1 month ago
Hey man... Is been several weeks, I use it and test it for my iPhone and it works like a Champ... Awesome. 5 stars.
Mig2133 2 months ago
@yuvershan No, there is nothing that can be damaged by this. If you make a mistake, it simply won't work.
louprado 2 months ago
Great work Lou. Very well presented video and the app was the icing on the cake.
alasrati 2 months ago
Sweet awesome man...
Mig2133 3 months ago
Lou, Why do the wires have polarity if they are just acting as a switch? I noticed if I accidentally reverse them the door opens without a signal.
Would it be possible to use a small relay off this circuit to create output wires that act as a true simple switched signal?
I noticed if I turn the switch on the bluetooth receiver off then on the garage door opens without the bluetooth trigger, would this happen after a power loss?
Thanks for all your effort on this!
Chris
Nfapps 3 months ago
@Nfapps Power loss (or low batt) will NOT cause the garage to open, even when power is restored.
Every switch, switches current. And current is only possible if a voltage is present. The voltage is presented by your garage door opener and for this application it needs to be DC voltage. AC voltage also has a polarity BTW, but the polarity changes every second at twice the HZ rate.
If AC voltage is present, then you need to use a relay(btmate.com, click the Relay Mate link).
louprado 2 months ago
Just installed, worked perfectly, thanks so much! The Samsung HM1100 is on sale for $10 (after rebate) at Staples right now (10/10/11)
christopherhb 4 months ago
In the ad for Staples starting 10/9/11, they have the HM1100 for only $10 after rebate. That's a steal! Get it while they got it. I have the app and this set up and use my wife's phone and my phone on it with great range and no issues...and our garage door opener is OOOOLD!
wrightperspective 4 months ago
Will you be making an iphone app for this
highplainsdrifter64 5 months ago 4
@highplainsdrifter64 Sadly Apple rejected my App. Apple doesn't like hacks. I will apply for their Made for iOS program and try again.
louprado 2 months ago
This works great, can you turn on or open something other than the garage door, like lights etc
highplainsdrifter64 5 months ago 2
I just hooked mine up with my Droid X and it works awesome! By the way, you can get the HM1100 at Office Depot for $14.99 thru Sept 10, 2011. I got mine there today.
wrightperspective 6 months ago
lou lou prada...wow you are amazing! Im ordering 12 today. "the ORIGINAL little Rosenrosen" how you doing lou lou?
scubasteve646 6 months ago
Lou, I'm going to attempt this poject with my Somfy Axorn 70 - There are 4 terminals for connection though. The information for what they are is stated as;
1: +
1 & 3: "No Conact" opening control
2 & 3: "No Contact" Cell and/or gate contact
4: -
would I be right in thinking I should be connecting to terminal 1 & 3 for my bluetooth? I'm not doing this project for a few more days but would be nice to know in case i might mess up! Would an easy test to be to bridge 1&3 and see if I get operation?
kriskjb 7 months ago
@kriskjb Oh, and also, thankyou for putting this online - this is a genuine solution to carrying so many keyfobs around!
kriskjb 7 months ago
@kriskjb Here's what you should test. First find the wires that go to your control switch. Then check the voltage on these wires -- it should be between 4 -30 Volts DC. Just make sure the red wire goes to the positive and the black to the negative. Note that I have never tested on a Somfy. So far the only garage-door opener we found it doesn't work on is a Wayne-Dalton. Good luck. Let me know your results.
louprado 7 months ago
@louprado FYI I have a Wayne-Dalton garage door opener and it worked great!!
tonydm05 7 months ago
Comment removed
tonydm05 7 months ago
@louprado
Thanks for the heads up Lou, I'll let you know my results, but I don't have a control switch for inside though, just a remote control only! i'll do some voltage tests and see what results I get.
kriskjb 7 months ago
@louprado
Hi Lou - the results are in.... Somfy "Axorn" 70 - Success! It was terminal 1 & 3 for anyone else who needs to know.
I'm now considering a sealed box for my headset to sit in. Reason being is because I live in the UK; In the summer it's sometimes humid and cool at night, and in the winter, I'll have the heating on when I'm working in the garage, so condesation may build up in the evenings.
kriskjb 6 months ago
@kriskjb
It will probably just be a plastic bottle with a sealed lid, packed with rice to prevent condensation. Would this impair the bluetooth signal at all?
Thanks again :)
Kris
kriskjb 6 months ago
@kriskjb This is a question for a nutritionist because factories/farms (same thing these days) add iron to rice during the fortification process. Rice on its own is mostly cellulose and will not attenuate the signal .. but the iron might. I say this all jokingly and your idea will likely work just fine.
FYI, I tested high humidity situations and the HM1100 has to be dripping with water before humidity is an issue.
louprado 2 months ago
Hey man, I gotta say this is the best lifehack I've seen all year. I just hooked it up to a LiftMaster 1355, and it's working flawlessly. I can't thank you enough!!!!
Jacksonbranson 7 months ago
( :
Wombosvideo 7 months ago
Comment removed
billybrosco77 8 months ago
Not sure I'm doing something wrong but the garage door goes up/down both when I connect and when I disconnect. Making it rather useless for me. Well maybe if I can get it to go up when I connect and back down when I disconnect it might sort of work for me.
tad604 8 months ago
@tad604 I assume you are disconnecting as quickly as possible. What smartphone are you using ?
louprado 8 months ago
Lou, Works awesome! But I wanted to extend the range, I have an antenna from an old router. where on the board can I solder this to? Thanks
billybrosco77 8 months ago
@billybrosco77 Greetings Billy. Frankly you will have more attenuation at the solder joint than any gain achieved through a superior antenna. For now you can improve your range by extending the wires so that the headset is close to the front of the garage and sits above the garage door or to the driver-side of the garage door. That should really improve things if you have a metal garage door.
louprado 8 months ago
Comment removed
billybrosco77 8 months ago
what do you do when the battery on the headset dies?
crazysamz 8 months ago
@crazysamz Please see the FAQ on the BTmate website. The headset is always plugged in, so the battery is irrelevant.. On the FAQ I also explain what happens years from now when the battery is at its end of usable life. If the power supply accidentally gets unplugged, the HM1100 will just die quietly without opening the garage.
louprado 8 months ago
are you worried that car thieves can use this hack as well?
420superdude 8 months ago 2
@420superdude There are millions to billions of possible MAC-ID codes. Every single HM1100 has a unique ID that is impossible to guess. And even if a stranger KNEW the ID, the HM1100 is not "Discoverable" the way other BT devices are. The HM1100 does not send out a radio signal unless you have it in your hands and are initiating pairing which only lasts a few seconds. If a stranger goes up to your garage and hits "Scan for Devices" they would never see your HM1100 on their Smartphone.
louprado 8 months ago 3
Nice! Dude grats on LifeHacker! lifehacker/5812718/control-your-garage-door-with-your-smartphone
I was like... hey I know that guy.... hey that's Gangplank lol... Cool stuff man
rynoweb 8 months ago
Nice!
miikebass 8 months ago
Your video is now on lifehacker com
Victor5688 8 months ago
...another satisfied customer here! BTW, Radio Shack had the HM1100 on sale for $19.99, and a soldering kit with solder, iron, and heatsink, etc. for $8.99. THANKS!
lenojames 8 months ago 2
@louprado Do you happen have a list of the headsets that you did test? I have a couple old ones lying around and was going to give it a shot with one of them, just didn't want to waste my time if it was one you tested already.
cnklebeau 8 months ago
@cnklebeau I will put this in aFAQ. Here' a list of failed units: Motorola HS820, Motorola H270, Plantronics E210, Samsung HM1000.
Ideally:
1. Must work normally when plugged in. (H270 fails)
2. Must beep on connect and/or disconnect (HS820 fails)
3. Must keep the audio amp on long enough to disconnect (E210 fails)
4. Programatically connecting and disconnecting should cause beep(s) (HM1000 fails)
But even if a unit passes all the above it still needs extreme cond fail-safe testing.
louprado 8 months ago 2
Comment removed
cnklebeau 8 months ago
Comment removed
cnklebeau 8 months ago
How is solder supposed to be pronounced? Everyone here where I live pronounces it that way (even my professors).
MarkCrase 8 months ago
@MarkCrase hint: there's an 'l' in it! :P
I think it's because you merkins pronounce 'o' as sort of an 'ah' type thing. If you pronounce it with an o sort of like 'aw' you get sol-der
Aplaplap 8 months ago
Thanks very much for posting this!
If you solder a 3.5mm (1/8") mono plug in place of the garage door opener itself, you have created a cheap wireless switch, which could be used to control anything. In the field of assistive technology, nearly everything uses this connection, so you just showed us a cheap and easy way to control wheelchairs, communication devices, computers, toys, and more with any smartphone!
To control simple battery-powered devices, just use a battery interrupter.
jenner999 8 months ago 2
nice video! I dont have a powered garage door opener yet, but when I do...
philballphotography 8 months ago
I liked a lot of things about this video:
*Easy to follow
*Very informational
*Great voice, very clear, easy to listen to
Nice work, Lou!
DJRAMZY87 8 months ago 16
solder =/= sodder
Aplaplap 8 months ago
@Aplaplap I have never heard it pronounced like that. I assume you also pronounce colonel: "col-o-nel"?
t5hcyborg 8 months ago
@t5hcyborg I think it's a regional thing. I have never heard anyone in Britain call it sodder.
mrblobbyman 8 months ago
@t5hcyborg not so much emphasis on the middle o, but essentially yes :D
Aplaplap 8 months ago