Automatic High Beam Garage Door Opener Thingie

BigJohn · 10-02-2005

A few days ago there was a discussion here about garage door remotes. Someone posted a link to an e-bay page where someone was selling a little black box that you could use to open and close your garage door by flicking the high beam switch. The cost looked reasonable to me, so I thought I’d try it. Bought one from him, link blow:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6000922776&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

The unit was $39.99 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. I placed the order on Sept 23rd and had it in my hand on the evening of the 30th. I was impressed with the delivery response.

The long and short of the matter is that this thing works as advertised. Once installed and everything is programmed to recognize the new transmitter, all you have to do is hit the high beam switch and the door will open or close. Sweet…After I had installed it, I pulled out of the garage and at the bottom of the driveway hit high beams and the door closed…KEWL… When I returned a short time later, I turned on the high beams from half a block away and up came the door…SWEET. It has better range than the Craftsman remote that came with the opener in the first place.

There are three type of openers that are offered. They are for the “Genie Intellicode” system, the “Liftmaster Security+” system and the more older, traditional types with the dip switches. Since my garage opener is a Sears Craftsman with a Security+ rolling code system, that’s they type I ordered. The install procedures are the same for all three. Only the programming is different.

When I opened the box, there was this little sealed plastic component that measured about 1½ x 1½ x ½ and had three black wires hanging out of one end. There is a little amber LED on the side with the wires. Two of the wires are about two to three feet long, the third is only about six inches long. The short one is the antenna and the two long ones are the power leads.

In addition to the little black box, there is a one page instruction sheet, two in line splice connectors, a “test probe” (a red LED with a resistor attached), and three or four tie wraps.

The install is simple and straightforward. Follow the instruction sheet that comes with the device and you have no problems.

Step 1: Decide where you are going to mount it. I found a nice open space behind the triple tree cover on the right side. For my ’00 Nomad, this was a good convenient location.

Step 2: Remove the head light to gain access to the wiring.

This is simple, place a soft towel on the front fender (you don’t want to scratch the paint). Now, just remove the two screws located at about 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions when facing the headlight. Gently pull on the lower portion of the headlamp ring and the assembly will rotate toward you from the bottom, lift up gently and the whole thing will be in your hand. Place it, lamp down, on a soft towel on the front fender. The wires should just reach.

Step 3: Figure out which of the two wires power the high beam.

This is where that red LED with the resistor soldered to it comes in handy. Bend the two leads so that the LED site up and you can inset the unit into the connectors behind the headlight to contact the connectors. There are only three wires going into the headlight and the BLACK one is ground.

Turn the ignition switch on, bump the starter (don’t start the bike) and the head light will come on.

Turn the high beam switch to HIGH and IF the LED lights up, you got the right wires, if not try another combination. Once you think you’ve got it, switch the high beam on and off several times to verify that the LED comes on when the high beam comes on. If it does you have, in fact, found the right two wires. REMEMBER WHICH TWO WIRES ARE THE RIGHT ONES…..TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH!!!

Step 4: Pass the two long leads from the back of the triple fork cover, through the hole in the headlight fairing and measure out how much wire you will need. Leave a little extra. Cut off the excess. Use the two splice connectors to tie into the headlight circuit. It makes no diference which of the tow long wires goes into which of the headlight leads. That is what makes this so simple…

Step 5: Test the circuit. Turn on the ignition switch, bump the starter to turn on the headlight. Now turn on the high beam…check the little LED on the garage remote box…Head light on high and little LED on? Yes? Now, turn the head light to low beam, little LED go out? Yes, good. High beam on – LED on…GOOD. You now have it wired up correctly.

Step 6: Permanently mount the opener. Clean off a space behind the cover, peal off the tape and stick the little black box in place with the wires pointed down. Route the short antenna wire so that it is as vertical as you can get it.

Now just peal off the sticky tape cover and stick this hummer on the back side of the cover and you have it installed.

For the Intellicode systems, programming it is simple. Just do this:

Turn on the ignition of the your Vulcan.
Bump the starter which will turn on the head light.
Momentarily, less than three seconds, press the “Learn” button on the garage door opener mechanism (head).
Within 30 seconds, turn on your high beam for 3 to 4 seconds,
Turn off your high beam for a moment.
Again, turn on your high beam for 3 to 4 seconds.
You’re done.

After the garage door opener mechanism “learn” light goes out, you should be able to open and close your garage door with your head light for 3 to 4 seconds. Sweet.

At least, it worked that way for me. You mileage may vary, no guarantees by the author, and I don’t know anything more about it….

I’ve had it installed for two days now, and it still works…. even in the rain….

UPDATE:

Good news and an up date here. Just got the following message from the seller of the openers. As of 10/02/05 from Ben Moulding [brittmo@xmission.com ]

"I'm glad that you are happy with your new remote. Also, that is a really great write up you did. I think it really gives a good idea of what is involved with the installation. We actually offer free shipping to clubs and special interest groups. If any of your friends are interested in purchasing a remote, simply have them mention they belong to the Kawasaki forum and they will receive free shipping. I have submitted a $5 refund to your paypal account also. We still have about 12 remotes left and are expecting another order in this week. We will put up more auctions then, or people can order directly through us by just sending us an email. Again, I'm really glad that you are happy with your purchase! Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!"

You can email them at: brittmo@xmission.com

Good luck and safe garage dooring....

Dave D · 10-03-2005

great write up and review...i think you just earned the fella on ebay a new customer.

Ken · 10-03-2005

What a terrific idea! Great write-up too. Thanks John!

Kebo · 10-03-2005

Too bad that was the only one on Ebay........the seller has another auction, but it is for the dip-switch model.

Phatboy · 10-03-2005

That's bad a55! I thought the lights themself triggered the door which would leave security concerns, but this looks like a *great* idea. Great write up too.

Constrictor · 10-03-2005

Very nice walkthrough!!!!

I definitely will have to invest in one of these. The only problem I might run into is our garage door opener is very old, so I would need the dip switch one, but I have been planning on replacing it soon, so I might just wait til I have a new model cause I dont want to buy one and then have to get another a couple months later.

Very good idea! Hopefully this guy on ebay can get more of them up there.

BigJohn · 10-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebo

Too bad that was the only one on Ebay........the seller has another auction, but it is for the dip-switch model.

Send him an e-mail. He may well have the other types. E-bay is the only place I've seen this thing. Yep, I'd buy another, if I needed one. But, because of the instructions, I finally figured out how to program the remote that came with my Dakota...(the truck has three button in the overhead consul that I have never been able to program to open the garage door. Dodges instructions are so complicated....) it was so simple. Now, I don't need a remote with either the truck or the bike....

HaOsLsE · 10-03-2005

yeah..that was me looking into getting it...I just was wondering how hard it was on the device if you rode around with the high beams on. Like I said, I live in the woods so I have a lot of roads that i'll have my hi-beams on. Will it (garage door device on bike) burn out quicker? may still be worth the convenience though. As for now I just got a key chain clicker the other week. But the battery is already so low...maybe cause it was in stock sooo long. I have to be a couple feet from it to work..which defeats the purpose. I may have to get one of these still. Very nice write-up and walk-through.

HaOsLsE · 10-03-2005

double post..sorry. at work.

**Spok** · 10-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constrictor

Very nice walkthrough!!!!

I definitely will have to invest in one of these. The only problem I might run into is our garage door opener is very old, so I would need the dip switch one, but I have been planning on replacing it soon, so I might just wait til I have a new model cause I dont want to buy one and then have to get another a couple months later.

Very good idea! Hopefully this guy on ebay can get more of them up there.

Not to take away from john or his online editing prowess but you yourself have been one to set the standard for step by step installation write ups.

BigJohn · 10-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaOsLsE

yeah..that was me looking into getting it...I just was wondering how hard it was on the device if you rode around with the high beams on. Like I said, I live in the woods so I have a lot of roads that i'll have my hi-beams on. Will it (garage door device on bike) burn out quicker? may still be worth the convenience though. As for now I just got a key chain clicker the other week. But the battery is already so low...maybe cause it was in stock sooo long. I have to be a couple feet from it to work..which defeats the purpose. I may have to get one of these still. Very nice write-up and walk-through.

That's right! My old and foggy memory is returning now.....

Don't worry about burning it out...there is a built in timer that will time out after 30 seconds of high beam. According to the instructions, it won't burn out because you run your high beams for long periods, like all night....

It's so cool to round the corner and hit the high beams and have the door open when I get to the house. It does a good job of reaching out...

BigJohn · 10-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by spok

Not to take away from john or his online editing prowess but you yourself have been one to set the standard for step by step installation write ups.

Just trying to uphold the standards that have been set....

*jukief* · 10-03-2005

Wow, John. Thank you SO much. That's a great write-up; you need to be writing technical documentation. I think I'll order one of those babies. I'm tired of switching my remote between my bike and car and having to take it out of the tank panel pocket.

BigJohn · 10-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jukief

Wow, John. Thank you SO much. That's a great write-up; you need to be writing technical documentation. I think I'll order one of those babies. I'm tired of switching my remote between my bike and car and having to take it out of the tank panel pocket.

Thanks Julie. I do a fair amount of tech writing. I'm a safety manager for a large engineering/design/construction company. Keeps me fairly busy.

Good news and an up date here. Just got the following message from the seller of the openers.

"I'm glad that you are happy with your new remote. Also, that is a really great write up you did. I think it really gives a good idea of what is involved with the installation. We actually offer free shipping to clubs and special interest groups. If any of your friends are interested in purchasing a remote, simply have them mention they belong to the Kawasaki forum and they will receive free shipping. I have submitted a $5 refund to your paypal account also. We still have about 12 remotes left and are expecting another order in this week. We will put up more auctions then, or people can order directly through us by just sending us an email. Again, I'm really glad that you are happy with your purchase! Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!"

You can email them at: brittmo@xmission.com

I'm also updating the original post for those who will read it later.

Good luck and safe garage dooring.....

HaOsLsE · 10-03-2005

wow..nice to know about the timeout...Guess i'll have to go find one

Hopefully I'll have it on by next weekend.

HaOsLsE · 10-06-2005

<--- contacted seller...got one on the way...made a deal...39.99...including shipping

I'll test your write-up when it gets in.

tnhunter · 10-06-2005

How big is it? Can it be mounted in the headlight bucket? Then nothing would be showing.

HaOsLsE · 10-06-2005

Dunno how big the "Dip Switch" version will be, which is the one I need...the one posted here is the learning mode one i think....I'll make sure to take pics if you like though. Hopefully it will be here this weekend of 1st thing next week.

BigJohn · 10-07-2005

tn - I see no reason why it wouldn't fit inside the bucket. It measures about 2 x 2 x 1/2 or so.

Hass - the dip switch version should be about the same size. The install is really simple. Just MAKE sure that you hook it up to the high beam. Low beam won't do yo much good....

10-02-2005	#1 (permalink)
BigJohn Power Hungry V2K Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 6,279	Automatic High Beam Garage Door Opener Thingie A few days ago there was a discussion here about garage door remotes. Someone posted a link to an e-bay page where someone was selling a little black box that you could use to open and close your garage door by flicking the high beam switch. The cost looked reasonable to me, so I thought I’d try it. Bought one from him, link blow: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6000922776&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1 The unit was $39.99 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. I placed the order on Sept 23rd and had it in my hand on the evening of the 30th. I was impressed with the delivery response. The long and short of the matter is that this thing works as advertised. Once installed and everything is programmed to recognize the new transmitter, all you have to do is hit the high beam switch and the door will open or close. Sweet…After I had installed it, I pulled out of the garage and at the bottom of the driveway hit high beams and the door closed…KEWL… When I returned a short time later, I turned on the high beams from half a block away and up came the door…SWEET. It has better range than the Craftsman remote that came with the opener in the first place. There are three type of openers that are offered. They are for the “Genie Intellicode” system, the “Liftmaster Security+” system and the more older, traditional types with the dip switches. Since my garage opener is a Sears Craftsman with a Security+ rolling code system, that’s they type I ordered. The install procedures are the same for all three. Only the programming is different. When I opened the box, there was this little sealed plastic component that measured about 1½ x 1½ x ½ and had three black wires hanging out of one end. There is a little amber LED on the side with the wires. Two of the wires are about two to three feet long, the third is only about six inches long. The short one is the antenna and the two long ones are the power leads. In addition to the little black box, there is a one page instruction sheet, two in line splice connectors, a “test probe” (a red LED with a resistor attached), and three or four tie wraps. The install is simple and straightforward. Follow the instruction sheet that comes with the device and you have no problems. Step 1: Decide where you are going to mount it. I found a nice open space behind the triple tree cover on the right side. For my ’00 Nomad, this was a good convenient location. Step 2: Remove the head light to gain access to the wiring. This is simple, place a soft towel on the front fender (you don’t want to scratch the paint). Now, just remove the two screws located at about 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions when facing the headlight. Gently pull on the lower portion of the headlamp ring and the assembly will rotate toward you from the bottom, lift up gently and the whole thing will be in your hand. Place it, lamp down, on a soft towel on the front fender. The wires should just reach. Step 3: Figure out which of the two wires power the high beam. This is where that red LED with the resistor soldered to it comes in handy. Bend the two leads so that the LED site up and you can inset the unit into the connectors behind the headlight to contact the connectors. There are only three wires going into the headlight and the BLACK one is ground. Turn the ignition switch on, bump the starter (don’t start the bike) and the head light will come on. Turn the high beam switch to HIGH and IF the LED lights up, you got the right wires, if not try another combination. Once you think you’ve got it, switch the high beam on and off several times to verify that the LED comes on when the high beam comes on. If it does you have, in fact, found the right two wires. REMEMBER WHICH TWO WIRES ARE THE RIGHT ONES…..TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH!!! Step 4: Pass the two long leads from the back of the triple fork cover, through the hole in the headlight fairing and measure out how much wire you will need. Leave a little extra. Cut off the excess. Use the two splice connectors to tie into the headlight circuit. It makes no diference which of the tow long wires goes into which of the headlight leads. That is what makes this so simple… Step 5: Test the circuit. Turn on the ignition switch, bump the starter to turn on the headlight. Now turn on the high beam…check the little LED on the garage remote box…Head light on high and little LED on? Yes? Now, turn the head light to low beam, little LED go out? Yes, good. High beam on – LED on…GOOD. You now have it wired up correctly. Step 6: Permanently mount the opener. Clean off a space behind the cover, peal off the tape and stick the little black box in place with the wires pointed down. Route the short antenna wire so that it is as vertical as you can get it. Now just peal off the sticky tape cover and stick this hummer on the back side of the cover and you have it installed. For the Intellicode systems, programming it is simple. Just do this: Turn on the ignition of the your Vulcan. Bump the starter which will turn on the head light. Momentarily, less than three seconds, press the “Learn” button on the garage door opener mechanism (head). Within 30 seconds, turn on your high beam for 3 to 4 seconds, Turn off your high beam for a moment. Again, turn on your high beam for 3 to 4 seconds. You’re done. After the garage door opener mechanism “learn” light goes out, you should be able to open and close your garage door with your head light for 3 to 4 seconds. Sweet. At least, it worked that way for me. You mileage may vary, no guarantees by the author, and I don’t know anything more about it…. I’ve had it installed for two days now, and it still works…. even in the rain…. UPDATE: Good news and an up date here. Just got the following message from the seller of the openers. As of 10/02/05 from Ben Moulding [brittmo@xmission.com ] "I'm glad that you are happy with your new remote. Also, that is a really great write up you did. I think it really gives a good idea of what is involved with the installation. We actually offer free shipping to clubs and special interest groups. If any of your friends are interested in purchasing a remote, simply have them mention they belong to the Kawasaki forum and they will receive free shipping. I have submitted a $5 refund to your paypal account also. We still have about 12 remotes left and are expecting another order in this week. We will put up more auctions then, or people can order directly through us by just sending us an email. Again, I'm really glad that you are happy with your purchase! Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!" You can email them at: brittmo@xmission.com Good luck and safe garage dooring.... __________________ '00 Nomad '06 V2K LT Because RED is the fastest color... Last edited by BigJohn : 10-03-2005 at 05:01 PM. Reason: Discount available for forum members

10-03-2005	#2 (permalink)
Dave D Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 80	great write up and review...i think you just earned the fella on ebay a new customer. __________________ 07 ZX-6R...nice and shiny

10-03-2005	#3 (permalink)
Ken Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,500	What a terrific idea! Great write-up too. Thanks John! __________________ Ken Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

10-03-2005	#5 (permalink)
Phatboy Rides a lazyboy on wheels BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,564	That's bad a55! I thought the lights themself triggered the door which would leave security concerns, but this looks like a great idea. Great write up too. __________________ Phatboy 04 1600 Classic Black 02 Dodge Cummins

10-03-2005	#6 (permalink)
Constrictor Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Steger, IL Posts: 1,023	Very nice walkthrough!!!! I definitely will have to invest in one of these. The only problem I might run into is our garage door opener is very old, so I would need the dip switch one, but I have been planning on replacing it soon, so I might just wait til I have a new model cause I dont want to buy one and then have to get another a couple months later. Very good idea! Hopefully this guy on ebay can get more of them up there. __________________ 2005 Magma Red Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600 1998 Bright Red Pontiac Trans Am 405.5 RWHP 385.1 RWTQ 2004 Nighthawk Black Honda Accord EX 6-speed

10-03-2005	#4 (permalink)
Kebo Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Posts: 235	Too bad that was the only one on Ebay........the seller has another auction, but it is for the dip-switch model.

10-03-2005	#8 (permalink)
HaOsLsE Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: TN Posts: 164	yeah..that was me looking into getting it...I just was wondering how hard it was on the device if you rode around with the high beams on. Like I said, I live in the woods so I have a lot of roads that i'll have my hi-beams on. Will it (garage door device on bike) burn out quicker? may still be worth the convenience though. As for now I just got a key chain clicker the other week. But the battery is already so low...maybe cause it was in stock sooo long. I have to be a couple feet from it to work..which defeats the purpose. I may have to get one of these still. Very nice write-up and walk-through. __________________ 2003 Mean Streak 1500 - Dark Purple Hello all, I am Hole.

10-03-2005	#9 (permalink)
HaOsLsE Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: TN Posts: 164	double post..sorry. at work. __________________ 2003 Mean Streak 1500 - Dark Purple Hello all, I am Hole.

10-03-2005	#13 (permalink)
jukief I miss you, Deron Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 18,170	Wow, John. Thank you SO much. That's a great write-up; you need to be writing technical documentation. I think I'll order one of those babies. I'm tired of switching my remote between my bike and car and having to take it out of the tank panel pocket. __________________ In memory of my friend Deron Harden. Life isn't going to be the same without him.

10-03-2005	#15 (permalink)
HaOsLsE Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: TN Posts: 164	wow..nice to know about the timeout...Guess i'll have to go find one Hopefully I'll have it on by next weekend. __________________ 2003 Mean Streak 1500 - Dark Purple Hello all, I am Hole.

10-06-2005	#16 (permalink)
HaOsLsE Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: TN Posts: 164	<--- contacted seller...got one on the way...made a deal...39.99...including shipping I'll test your write-up when it gets in. __________________ 2003 Mean Streak 1500 - Dark Purple Hello all, I am Hole.

10-06-2005	#17 (permalink)
tnhunter Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville "music city" Posts: 1,320	How big is it? Can it be mounted in the headlight bucket? Then nothing would be showing. __________________ 87 vn1500b 88se Jardine pipes stage 1 jet 87 Gl1200I Goldwing load up, head out.

10-06-2005	#18 (permalink)
HaOsLsE Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: TN Posts: 164	Dunno how big the "Dip Switch" version will be, which is the one I need...the one posted here is the learning mode one i think....I'll make sure to take pics if you like though. Hopefully it will be here this weekend of 1st thing next week. __________________ 2003 Mean Streak 1500 - Dark Purple Hello all, I am Hole.

10-07-2005	#19 (permalink)
BigJohn Power Hungry V2K Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 6,279	tn - I see no reason why it wouldn't fit inside the bucket. It measures about 2 x 2 x 1/2 or so. Hass - the dip switch version should be about the same size. The install is really simple. Just MAKE sure that you hook it up to the high beam. Low beam won't do yo much good.... __________________ '00 Nomad '06 V2K LT Because RED is the fastest color...

10-07-2005	#20 (permalink)
tnhunter Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville "music city" Posts: 1,320