Garge Door Remote (433.92Mhz)

M80

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
5,931
Reaction score
2,735
Location
Derbyshire
Your Mercedes
2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
I fitted a garage door remote into the Gr Cherokee, intending to do the same for the Viano a little later.

The remotes are the 12v learning type. Set up to operate the door the remote button is linked out and the battery terminals have soldered fly leads from them, the idea being that when 12v is applied to the remote it opens / closes the door. It works as desired.

A while ago I ordered some countdown timer relays from China. They weren't as described in that they could be triggered to initiate the pre set countdown via a momentary switch, but the same switch wouldn't terminate the countdown. I'm waiting for the supplier to send the desired timers.

It struck me that these timers could be used for the remote purpose.
On applying 12v to the timer relay it would initiate the pre set countdown, the ign' aux 12v could be used for this.
Applying 12v to a trigger pin would do the same, the cars reverse 12v could be used for this.
The common of the outgoing relay is linked to the aux input.
The n/o of the relay feeds the garage remote.

Mounting the angel eye momentary switch in a convenient place, and the timer countdown set at 4 minutes and now,
the key in the ignition and the LED of the momentary switch is illuminated at a lesser brightness to indicate availability (till the 4 minutes times out the relay). Press the switch to full brightness to indicate the remote activation.

As we both reverse onto the drive on returning home selecting reverse will trigger the countdown again half illuminating the momentary switch. There is then 4 minutes again to activate the remote, before the key is removed.

All dandy, no more digging out the remote to open the door, and security is no longer compromised if someone broke into the car and nicked the remote.

Installed tonight the door closes as designed.
The issue is that the door doesn't open. It seems to me that the car is acting as an RF blocker and reduces the remotes signal strength, strong enough to reach inside with the door open but the garage door blocks some signal.

Thinking of moving the remote's antenna to have a clearer view of the garage I opened up a remote but can't see anything resembling an antenna.
Has anyone any thoughts of how to improve the signal seen by the receiver in the garage?
 
OP
M80

M80

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
5,931
Reaction score
2,735
Location
Derbyshire
Your Mercedes
2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Thanks for that David,
One problem that can be with range extenders is that if the extender and the original remote are within range of the receiver the receiver 'can' get 2 signals. For the garage door it may be sometimes be that the door would be told to start and then stop at the same time as it's the same signal to do both.

The second one has possibilities as, if I understand it correctly, it would replace the existing receiver in the garage. Of course it would only be by installing that I would find out if it is more effective.

Neither detail the frequency, as I can see. We can't know if they are legal for use in the UK.

The Chinese gear is often 315 MHz and not legal here, If I read the Ofcom site correctly even 433 isn't legal as it should be above 433.05.
The detector van actually tracking the fleeting signal and pin pointing its location seems unlikely though.

In N Wales some years ago I installed a wireless CCTV to catch a git who was causing damage at night. A van had tracked the illegal transmission (before I was aware that we could buy illegal kit) and a call from the aged tenant was to say the operatives had ripped it out.
They had been real tw*ts and scared the tenant. I put them straight in a very impolite fashion. If I had done wrong then take it out on me, not an old guy who is less capable of telling them to p8ss off and get a warrant.

I am a little more cautious now though.
 

ZZZZ

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2014
Messages
3,671
Reaction score
1,613
Your Mercedes
.
Ah, I didn't know about possible duplicate signal - something to keep in mind.
 
OP
M80

M80

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
5,931
Reaction score
2,735
Location
Derbyshire
Your Mercedes
2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
I have the Byron Home Easy system.
I've built up plug in switches / dimmers, wall switch dimmers, light sensor.... and various remotes. There are timer controls mainly for that 'at home' appearance when we're away.

We have a SONT that illuminates the rear garden and It's set to come on for a few minutes late evening and again early morning. The remote can be used as desired otherwise.
But sometimes the remote fails to switch off, so the light remains on till the next cycle and if we're away that's another 24 hours.
So I thought I would pick up one of their repeaters, until I read that little issue. Essentially the end device needs to be beyond range of the remote so that the repeater bridges the gap.
I think most people would need a sytem that over came that, like one signal to the repeater triggering a changed signal that the end device was paired to.
 
Last edited:

ZZZZ

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2014
Messages
3,671
Reaction score
1,613
Your Mercedes
.
This could be a little gadget you can put together, and market to CCTV / security / home automation installers :)
 
OP
M80

M80

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
5,931
Reaction score
2,735
Location
Derbyshire
Your Mercedes
2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I
This could be a little gadget you can put together, and market to CCTV / security / home automation installers :)

I just about understand resistors and diodes, the complexities of remote codings is a bit much for me.
Maybe within your scope though??
 
OP
M80

M80

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
5,931
Reaction score
2,735
Location
Derbyshire
Your Mercedes
2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
My answer to the poor signal is to relocate the garage remote to behind plastic, giving a clearer view of the garage.
I might even play with the receivers antenna. Shorting it to the metal track, and so the garage door might help, if not relocating that via a coax to outside the garage should be possible.
 

ZZZZ

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2014
Messages
3,671
Reaction score
1,613
Your Mercedes
.
I just about understand resistors and diodes, the complexities of remote codings is a bit much for me.
Maybe within your scope though??

I wish, although my little sister could do that in her sleep, I'm sure - but then she's the exec chairman if the International RoboCup Junior Committee :alien:


I might even play with the receivers antenna. Shorting it to the metal track, and so the garage door might help, if not relocating that via a coax to outside the garage should be possible.

Sounds like a perfect solution :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: M80
OP
M80

M80

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Messages
5,931
Reaction score
2,735
Location
Derbyshire
Your Mercedes
2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #10
I moved the Jeep remote lower by maybe 1/2" and it seems to have made the difference.
I installed the same set up into the Viano today, the remote being locatedin sight of the garage door, it seems to work well.

Both can spend the next week proving themselves to open / close reliably then I'll be content.
 

d:class automotive are specialists in automotive interiors and upholstery. From Mercedes and modern cars to custom and classics. Tel: 01483 722923 Email:info@dclass.co.ukWeb:www.dclass.co.uk
Top Bottom