Subscriber Discussion

Semi Off Topic: Can You Help Me Solve This Garage Door Opener Mystery?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Mar 28, 2017

This is only if you're bored, like a puzzle challenge or happen to know the answer from experience.

 

Here is the scenario.  I acquired a storage unit at my condo complex that had an existing Chamberlain garage door opener with one remote and one wired switch. (Likely a consumer version).  I happen to have some left over Linear wireless receivers and remotes that I installed at the same facility front entrance.  Since I already had the linear remotes to get in the complex I wanted to install the extra Linear receiver in the storage unit and have it's dry contact output trigger the Chamberlain and be able to operate with just one remote.  (I did the same thing at my home garage on an Overhead Door unit and it works like a champ).  

The Chamberlain has a learn feature but it will not recognize a Linear remote.  The remote that works with it is model number 950ESTD

I could not get the Chamberlain to respond to anything except their own button.  I then took the button and wired it with a short test cable and it works fine. It connects with 2 wires and I assumed it was a dry contact  

 

What I discovered is that it's sending power through the circuit as you can see from the illuminated button.  

Here's the back of the button.

Here's a closeup of the model info.  The button hooks into the red and white terminal blocks on the left.

 

 

What was strange was that I metered it and got BOTH 12 volt DC and about 24 Volt AC with minimal change when the button was depressed. (maybe a momentary drop of 1-2 volts).   Shorting the button, Shorting the inputs on the terminal block does nothing.  I'm perplexed.  I'm pretty sure my Linear only has a dry contact output.

 

 

 

 

Avatar
Brian Karas
Mar 28, 2017
IPVM

Newer Chamberlin openers support multi-function remote buttons, with options to toggle the light on and off, and also temporarily disable/lockout the remotes (eg: only works from the local button).

They can also report open/close status down that same wire.

(I had two Chamberlin units at my last house, FWIW, I much prefer them to the Genie's I have now).

I also had mine wired to be controlled by a Linear RF remote :)

It worked fine for me, but the Linear (at least mine) was actually more like an open-collector output, meaning that it was polarity sensitive to the button wiring. It would work with the wires in one configuration, but if you reversed them, nothing would happen.

So, try hooking it up like you would assume. If nothing happens, reverse the wires on the Linear terminals and try again.  If still nothing happens, you might need an external relay, I like the Altronix RBSN-TTL for those purposes.

Good luck.

 

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Sep 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Bump on this.  Anyone have a bead on the type of voltages needed to trigger an event in the operator?

I was talking with a member who says that with a powered (24 VAC?) pushbutton taking the voltage to 0 VAC does not work/ trigger an open event.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Sep 06, 2017

LOL, This was my original post and I still haven't figured it out.  I was just toying around with it this weekend.  There's got to be a simple answer to this

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Sep 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

This is nothing but a guess on my part, but I am assuming the voltage doesn't drop to zero/ circuit completely opens when the button is pushed.  It might drop to something like 5 VAC, but it is enough for the button LED to remain on even when the button is pushed.

Avatar
Jonathan Lawry
Sep 06, 2017
Trecerdo, LLC

For me, when I push the existing button, the light does turn off while the button is depressed.

I'm thinking it is changing to some specific resistance.  If only I had a schematic for those wall switches.

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Sep 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

That's interesting.  Mine stays lit, but it's a rocker switch.  Push up, open one door, push down, opens another.  The red LED burns the whole time.

Avatar
Jonathan Lawry
Sep 06, 2017
Trecerdo, LLC

I have a similar issue here.  Was there any good resolution to this?

SD
Shannon Davis
Sep 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I have one in my house and I have an ADEMCO keypad with the relay built into it and just short the relay N/O dry relay across the opener terminals and it works just fine. 

(1)
U
Undisclosed #2
Sep 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

So can you make the door do what you want just by shorting the white and white/red leads together?

The color code indicates more than just a short is necessary though/

(1)
SD
Shannon Davis
Sep 06, 2017
IPVMU Certified

That's what i did with mine. Not sure if it is the exact same model but I doubt there is any difference in them. I was concerned at first then thought just try it and it worked. I actually hooked my wires up at the button.

(1)
UE
Undisclosed End User #3
Sep 06, 2017

I would disassemble the button and find that actual switch and solder leads to that for relay (linear) connection. 

Avatar
Jonathan Lawry
Sep 06, 2017
Trecerdo, LLC

YES!  Causing a SHORT works for me!  My project is saved  Thanks!

(1)
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