Open/Close Switch
Would it be possible to use the existing open/close garage door sensors in parallel rather than installing a separate set of switches? Without knowing the internal circuitry of the iQ3, I would assume you might need an optoisolator or something. If you could do this, installation would be a breeze... All short wires from the unit to the garage door terminals.
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Official comment
Jeff,
That is certainly possible, but from our perspective there are hundreds of different models of garage door openers and the skill level of customers varies widely. Our concern would be that if we started down that road, customers would be required to open up their garage door openers to access the internal limit switches (if they even exist).
Our gate customers actually do this. It takes more knowledge, but can be done.
We try to make Tailwind as universal as possible.
If you would like to give it a try with your opener you're certainly welcome. The internal circuitry for the door sensor is pretty standard stuff. It has a weak, small DC voltage applied. You can see it with any DC volt meter. When the sensor closes it shorts it to ground (the second wire of the door sensor). The only way you could damage the iQ3 controller would be to apply a reverse voltage to the door sensing input, or apply a voltage that is larger than 5V to the input.
Scott
Comment actions -
Sure... I have a Genie Excelerator.
To use the existing close limit switch, I cut off the magnetic switch that came with the Tailwind device, leaving a couple of feet of wire. I put the black wire on terminal 5 (limit switch common) and the red wire on terminal 6 (close limit switch). Note: Prior to installation, I used a voltmeter to verify the voltage and polarity across terminals 5 and 6 was 5 volts or less to ensure it wouldn't damage the Tailwind device as Scott instructed.
The Tailwind device (blue & brown wires) was added to terminals 1 and 2 in parallel with the wall switch as usual. I shortened the wire on this one as well.
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This was very cool. I found it a bit late though. My solution with a Genie Excelerator Opener was to obtain a 2nd Genie door sensor that goes at the end of the screw track. I installed it on the opposite side of the rail to the Genie sensor and ran the cable back to the main motor along the top of the track beside the main genie sensor wire.
I then glued a small magnet on the other side of the trolley right under the genie sensor (like the default trolley sensor does)and voila... nice neat install without using the supplied magnetic sensor which mounts to the track very cleverly.
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