I don’t know about the rest of you, but my garage door remote is big and bulky. Anybody know of a custom way to wire in a button on my dash where I can hide the opener out of site completely or behind the dash, and have it work every time I push a small button?

 

I used two buttons and a light for mine. Two buttons, because a kid hitting one by accident opens the garage (not cool). The first button sends power to a voltage regulator* and the second opens the door. The light was to show the power button was pressed/the system has power. Both buttons are tiny, in an area smaller than my fingertip. I put them in an unused (fog lights?) stock switch blank-off plate. Rub a finger down the unobtrusive switch panel and the door opens. I'll have to try to remember to take a picture when it's not midnight outside.



*I tried using button cells like came in the opener - they died too fast. AAs died too fast. I ended up with a 7805 type regulator, with a pot to trim the "battery" voltage seen by the opener. The switch contact in the opener, and the battery contact in the opener, are soldered to wires coming out from the bulky opener, and the small switches are all you can see. The bulky opener is "somewhere" up under the dash. I love this solution.

 

That's a cool idea though, I think some auto makers have stole'd it. I'm not sure how it is set up, but I've seen new cars with garage door openers integrated into the overhead console/rear view mirror. It's a pretty neat idea I must say.

 

It's set up thusly:







If a passerby has no flashlight they see nothing much, and if they have a flashlight they see . . . nothing much.









There is no reason for the OEMs not to integrate a garage door opener switch, but you need a common protocol for the openers or else it only works with their brand. This is nothing short of a hardware bodge and no OEM in their right mind would adopt something requiring this much customization!



edit: yes it could use a detailing.

 

My OEM mirror has three buttons you can set up for openers on the Gen Coupe.

 

I'll see your gencoupe and raise you no car payment for the last decade

 

I'll see you no car payment and raise you no house payment.

 

I fold.



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ask me again in 23 years

 

No house payments, no car payments, just endless amounts of rent.

 

rent = fail



If you're going to piss money down the rathole called "where I sleep most nights" you might as well do it where you own something of value at the end of the transaction.