Easier garage door operation

[JackOfDiamonds]

I have a 1 car garage and no space for a "man" door. So I have to use the roll-up door to go in and out. And since it's 106 degrees outside, I don't leave it open. End result, I go in and out a lot. A dozen times per day at least.

I have a keypad on the outside, and and while I know this is a first-world problem, it's too inconvenient to type in the 4-digit code every time. I want to just push a button.

I could extend the wires from the momentary switch that's inside, but obviously that creates a security problem. Unless I install yet another switch so I can disconnect the outside switch at night. And besides all that, my Genie opener is fully wireless and doesn't have the old school momentary pushbutton at all.

I'm thinking about just dangling a keychain remote out on a nail and bringing it inside at night. Any better solution?

 

[BillK]

How about keep the remote in your pocket ? Or clipped on a belt loop ?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Would you be satisfied with a hidden button? My old garage I put one behind a joint in the trim. It could be pushed with any key or a pocket knife, if you knew where to insert it. On another I hid it behind the trim. Press the trim in the right spot and the door would open.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

How about keep the remote in your pocket ? Or clipped on a belt loop ?

Good idea. The problem is 6 people use the door, and they can't all have a remote all the time. They need to be able to open the garage door just as easily as opening an unlocked swing door would be.

 

[BrandonV]

*cough* reed switch.

Magnet on keychain.

 

[kbs2244]

I have a buddy that wired his switch wires to two finishing nails a 1/4 inch apart
they were driven so that only a 16th of an inch was above the surface
any coin served as a key

 

[Jeff C]

I think the keychain remote is simple and easy as long as you remember to bring it in when you’re done for the day.

What’s your backup plan to get out if the spring breaks when you’re inside the garage? Opening and closing that many times a day it’s only a matter of time before a spring pops.

 

[Rt jam]

I'd try harder on the man door. Seems a waste of energy to repeatedly open a big door.

I did read there is no space.

 

[Dave Carney]

Wicket door:

Overhead Door Man Door

If you don’t want to open your bay door every time you use the passage, adding a man door or wicket door to your overhead sectional door is the right solution.

americandoor.com

https://americandoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Overhead_Door_Man_Door.pdf

 

[tipsy]

Let's see pics of the garage. I'd be willing to bet there is a spot where a man door can be installed.

 

[Skooterj]

Robot or human?

 

[juddspaintballs]

What about a keyed switch? Leave the key in during the day or give everyone you want a key and just use the key to open the door each time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K29KL8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BrandonV]

What about a keyed switch? Leave the key in during the day or give everyone you want a key and just use the key to open the door each time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K29KL8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Problem is people know to rip the switch off the wall. I used to see it with the old Ademco systems around here.

 

[mires]

This may be a dumb question but why are you using the garage door to get in and out a dozen times per day? Surely there is a front door to the house?

 

[Kpaige]

Some garage door openers can be opened with your phone.

Or why not an integrated pedestrian door

 

[racecougar]

This may be a dumb question but why are you using the garage door to get in and out a dozen times per day? Surely there is a front door to the house?

And six people going in and out as well. That door operator is going to get a workout!

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Every time a kid needs to get their bike they need in. I tell them not to leave them laying outside, so I guess I pay for it in garage door wear. Also during winter we always go in and out the garage because we have a mudroom and place for all the winter coats. And to top it off my home office is in there so anytime I come and go, or just want to go for a walk, I go out that way.

 

[ycgoat]

You can get multiple remotes that will all work on one relay. I have seen roll ip doors with man door built In similar to shown above and screen walls in front of roll up with a screen door. The screen wall with a single door home is an easy DIY project

 

[jonesg]

the cloud has spoken.
it looks the excuses aren't gonna float on GJ, no room for an access door?
then make room.

 

[MovingAlong]

Every time a kid needs to get their bike they need in. I tell them not to leave them laying outside, so I guess I pay for it in garage door wear. Also during winter we always go in and out the garage because we have a mudroom and place for all the winter coats. And to top it off my home office is in there so anytime I come and go, or just want to go for a walk, I go out that way.

How about framing up a temporary wall that sits inside the garage door opening? Install a man door that swings out in the new wall, leave the garage door up... if security is an issue, close the garage door at night.

Might be cheaper than a fancy rollup/man door combo, easy to do and can be removed when your situation changes.

 

[Zeus36]

I have a buddy that wired his switch wires to two finishing nails a 1/4 inch apart
they were driven so that only a 16th of an inch was above the surface
any coin served as a key

My uncle did this as well. The nails were set just behind the garage trim and out of sight. He used any key on his key chain to close the circuit between the two nails. Faster than a keypad or key switch.

 

[BigE]

I second looking harder at a man door. That really seems like what you need.

But barring that, I'd recommend wiring an external button to an internal disconnect. When you first come in for the day, use the keypad to get in. Then 'unlock' the external button by engaging the internal disconnect. Then the external button works for the rest of the day. At night, lock your garage by opening the disconnect thereby disabling the external button. This allows the convenience of opening the garage door like an unlocked man door, but allows you a way to secure it. Just be sure that a thief can't reach the internal disconnect wires through the hole for the button.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

I second looking harder at a man door. That really seems like what you need.

But barring that, I'd recommend wiring an external button to an internal disconnect. When you first come in for the day, use the keypad to get in. Then 'unlock' the external button by engaging the internal disconnect. Then the external button works for the rest of the day. At night, lock your garage by opening the disconnect thereby disabling the external button. This allows the convenience of opening the garage door like an unlocked man door, but allows you a way to secure it. Just be sure that a thief can't reach the internal disconnect wires through the hole for the button.

This also allows me to get in even when the shortcut button is disabled. My other ideas like killing power to the opener at night were doomed to leave me locked out at some point. The magic solution is that I need to have BOTH the keypad and the shortcut button, not one or the other. Brilliant!

Now I'm trying to decide if I feel like tearing out drywall to put in a standard household disabler switch. If not I need to come up with a smaller one that will fit on the wall and just surface mount doorbell wire to it.

 

[BigE]

This also allows me to get in even when the shortcut button is disabled. My other ideas like killing power to the opener at night were doomed to leave me locked out at some point. The magic solution is that I need to have BOTH the keypad and the shortcut button, not one or the other. Brilliant!

Now I'm trying to decide if I feel like tearing out drywall to put in a standard household disabler switch. If not I need to come up with a smaller one that will fit on the wall and just surface mount doorbell wire to it.

I imagine you could just use a doorbell switch on the outside and wire it to a light switch on the inside. Given the voltage, you might even be able to use an automotive switch for the disconnect. Check with an electrician, though.

 

[cr-garagedoor]

Dangling a keychain remote on a nail outside your garage might provide a quick and easy solution for now, but it may not be the most secure or convenient option in the long term. Things you can consider are:

• Upgrading your existing Genie opener to a smart garage door opener.
• Look for a wireless keypad that is compatible with your Genie opener.
• Instead of dangling the keychain remote on a nail, you can install a remote holder or a small box near the garage entrance. This way, you can keep the remote in a secure location while still having easy access to it whenever you need to use it.

 

[Citation]

My simple solution, and kind of what I did was get two extra remotes for the opener. If I go for a bike ride I clip the remote to my shorts.

However, why do something simple... here's my complex solution. Wire up an extra opener button in parallel with the hardwired button I presume is already inside the garage. Put the button outside the house but in a somewhat hidden location. The trick is to disconnect the button when you don't want it to work. I would suggest wiring it in series with a mechanical wall timer switch like this:

Intermatic 20 Amp 12-Hour Spring Wound In-Wall Timer, White SW12HWK - The Home Depot

Add convenience and customization to your home with the selection of this Intermatic 24-Spring Wound InWall Timer White.

www.homedepot.com

So you open the garage with the keypad or remote. Then set the timer for X hrs. Then for the next how ever many hours the outside switch operates the door. I'm suggesting the timer so you can't accidentally leave the outside switch on. Otherwise you could just do a traditional button with a disable switch.