Skarbro
08-11-2007, 05:21 PM
This mod is VERY simple.
The motorcycle guys have been doing this for years, so it's nothing new.
(note - This doesn't cover panel removing in the car. There are tons of other threads out there that cover this.)
What you'll need:
Wires (18 gauge for the power; higher gauge works for the switch)
12V Garage door remote (I bought a Skylink universal remote from Canadian Tire for $29.99 - I can re-program easily it if I ever move or change the garage door opener)
Momentary switch
Wire connectors (optional)
Solder gun and solder
Your typical wiring tools (stripper, cutter, crimper)
Program the remote. It's much easier to do it first before you start modifying it. You'll also want to make sure it works with your garage door opener.
Open up the remote. You can easily verify what voltage it uses by finding the battery. If you are using a remote that uses less than 12V, then you'll have to add a resistor - this DIY does not cover that
Find the switch on the circuit board. You should be able figure out which two connections the switch bridges by using a paper clip or some other electrical bridge. When you bridge it with the battery in, the remote should activate.
Solder a wire to each of the switch connections on the circuit board. Use a one-piece wire - this will make it a little easier. Test it out by connecting the 2 ends of the wires briefly.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3246/dsc00282rg9.jpg
Remove the battery.
Prepare wire leads to the battery terminals. Remember which is (+) and which is (-). I had to dremmel a bit to get the cover for the remote back on.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/416/dsc00283vw1.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6770/dsc00285mq7.jpg
Disconnect the (-) car battery terminal.
Tap the (+) wire into a 12V source on the car. I chose the cigarette lighter wire because it turns off when the key is off (for extra security).
Tap the (-) into a suitable grounding source. I just tapped it into the (-) wire for the cigarette lighter.
Mount the momentary switch wherever you like in the car. I ended up choosing one of the blank switches to the left of the steering wheel. Connect the 2 wires running from the switch connections on the circuit board (it doesn't matter which wire goes on which terminal of the switch).
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2069/dsc00287tu7.jpg
Re-connect the (-) car battery terminal.And you're done! When you hit the button, the garage door opener should activate (this particular remote doesn't activate until after you release the button). You don't have to worry about changing the battery. And if someone breaks in your car while it's in the driveway, it won't work without the key in the ignition. Also, I should note that I hid my remote pretty well in the car - just in case someone breaks in and rips apart the dash - even though everything else is pretty much stock. :) LOL
Here's a wiring diagram that I stole from this other page I found. The only difference is that I tapped into the cigarette lighter, not the running light wire:
http://www.biketweakers.com/garagedooropener.html
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9356/garagedooropenermg3.jpg
* Photos taken with Sony Ericsson w810i in macro mode!
The motorcycle guys have been doing this for years, so it's nothing new.
(note - This doesn't cover panel removing in the car. There are tons of other threads out there that cover this.)
What you'll need:
Wires (18 gauge for the power; higher gauge works for the switch)
12V Garage door remote (I bought a Skylink universal remote from Canadian Tire for $29.99 - I can re-program easily it if I ever move or change the garage door opener)
Momentary switch
Wire connectors (optional)
Solder gun and solder
Your typical wiring tools (stripper, cutter, crimper)
Program the remote. It's much easier to do it first before you start modifying it. You'll also want to make sure it works with your garage door opener.
Open up the remote. You can easily verify what voltage it uses by finding the battery. If you are using a remote that uses less than 12V, then you'll have to add a resistor - this DIY does not cover that
Find the switch on the circuit board. You should be able figure out which two connections the switch bridges by using a paper clip or some other electrical bridge. When you bridge it with the battery in, the remote should activate.
Solder a wire to each of the switch connections on the circuit board. Use a one-piece wire - this will make it a little easier. Test it out by connecting the 2 ends of the wires briefly.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3246/dsc00282rg9.jpg
Remove the battery.
Prepare wire leads to the battery terminals. Remember which is (+) and which is (-). I had to dremmel a bit to get the cover for the remote back on.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/416/dsc00283vw1.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6770/dsc00285mq7.jpg
Disconnect the (-) car battery terminal.
Tap the (+) wire into a 12V source on the car. I chose the cigarette lighter wire because it turns off when the key is off (for extra security).
Tap the (-) into a suitable grounding source. I just tapped it into the (-) wire for the cigarette lighter.
Mount the momentary switch wherever you like in the car. I ended up choosing one of the blank switches to the left of the steering wheel. Connect the 2 wires running from the switch connections on the circuit board (it doesn't matter which wire goes on which terminal of the switch).
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2069/dsc00287tu7.jpg
Re-connect the (-) car battery terminal.And you're done! When you hit the button, the garage door opener should activate (this particular remote doesn't activate until after you release the button). You don't have to worry about changing the battery. And if someone breaks in your car while it's in the driveway, it won't work without the key in the ignition. Also, I should note that I hid my remote pretty well in the car - just in case someone breaks in and rips apart the dash - even though everything else is pretty much stock. :) LOL
Here's a wiring diagram that I stole from this other page I found. The only difference is that I tapped into the cigarette lighter, not the running light wire:
http://www.biketweakers.com/garagedooropener.html
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9356/garagedooropenermg3.jpg
* Photos taken with Sony Ericsson w810i in macro mode!