Curious about this. New house has this old drive system and it seems so old that I can’t even sync a universal clicker to it.
Any recommendation for some add-on that can make it smart?
Ideally, I would like something I can just plug/wire into the existing drive motor that will allow me to connect to wifi and/or do an exterior keypad and/or get a universal clicker.
You want to look for a “dry contact relay” that works with what you have. I got one for Zigbee because I have home assistant with zigbee. This will work in your existing system or in an app or whatever.
What system are you looking to integrate it with?
I would bite the bullet and get a new one. You might even be able to install one that attaches to the side, saves room from the chain/belt system. New one would have integrated wifi and usually battery backup as well.
Unless it’s drive is not working or something this is overkill just to set up remote open.
Most all garage door openers have two screw terminals on the back. If you connect a wire to both it triggers the open/close. You can run two long wires from there to wherever - this is how the button in the garage typically works.
You can also use any number of different setups to close that connection over a wireless trigger. I use a Shelly relay and home assistant which costs $20 or so. If you don’t have home assistant there are several other products that can do this.
the drive is working great, just super old and dumb low-tech. I can’t even sync a universal remote to it.
yes, there is long wire running to the wall switch.
This garage door can probably be opened with a flipperzero brute forcing the code. It’s probably worth the bullet just to remove that vulnerability or some random RF noise opening it.
recommendation for side drive? is this a DIY job?
Look up videos on YouTube. You’re not messing with springs. I think as long as you have clearance, you could diy it. You could leave the overhead there abed just have it disconnected. So if you find you’re stuck, undo that and reconnect the overhead arm.
Ismartgate will do it. I have the older version, GoGoGate. Works well via its own app on smartphone/smart watch.
Personally use mine via HomeAssistant now but not essential by any means
Calling does really is send a pulse to your garage door opener like the wall mounted bell buttons did
yea, this is what I think I need…something that sends a wired signal like a wall-button.
There are 2 terminals on the opener. Does the garage door open/shut when if you short them? If so, I’d recommend the refoss/Meross garage door opener.
here’s my drive motor:
Try shorting the button terminal to the other one and see if it works. If the door open/shuts them it’ll work
Go control. Get a go control.
https://hometechhacker.com/make-your-own-smart-garage-door-opener-for-15/
Can do something like this.
I’d recommend you look at TailWind. They were the top recommendation of the WireCutter.
How does it open? Like a door bell button? I think MyQ has addon things that will use that to open/close it. Wyze might be the cheapest you attach their garage door device to a Wyze camera and point it at the inside of the garage door. It pushes the button to open/close and uses the camera to sense a QR code you attach to the back of the garage door to tell whether the door is open or closed.
I’ve been very pleased with my Garadget, and it hooks right to those “button” terminals. Unfortunately out of stock, it would appear, though.
a wifi-based momentary relay switch… aliexpress has tons as does amazon… This would be wired in parallel with your physical button.
What brand and model number of motor do you have? Without that you’re only going to get opinions based upon posters own setups
Konnected makes a universal smart garage door device: https://konnected.io/products/smart-garage-door-opener