Key operated garage door switch?

[CheckeredFlag]

I have a motorized garage door opener I bought from Sears - 16 years ago (geeesh, has it been that long already ?) .... Craftsman model.

Besides the hand held remote like you might keep in your car, it also has a battery powered switch to open and close - mounted just outside the door.

I'm tired of that particular switch. The 9 volt battery doesn't last as long as I think it should, and you have to type in your code on a soft touch keypad, but sometimes, we have to enter it in several times before it works.

Anyway, I was wondering if I could simply add a key switch, so all I needed to do was turn a key one way or the other to get the door to go up or down.

Anyone done this, or have advice ???

 

[LB-1911]

Here's one -

GD 52142 Description:Electric Key Switch, Gray Plastic Housing
http://primeline.net/home4.wcs?cSearchtxt=GARAGE+DOOR+SWITCH&nMenuid=10&cSearchtyp=10&cItem=GD+52142

 

[Zeke]

I have a hard wired key switch. They are easy to find.

 

[upndown]

I've never cared for them! We used them before keyless entry was available, I can be in your door in a matter of seconds.

 

[Dakota00]

^^^ I couldn't agree more!

If you go the key route, make sure it's in a hidden location.

 

[metaleltr]

Unless you attach it with tamper proof screws it wouldn't take 5 seconds to uscrew it from the jamb and cross the wires to open the door, even then, we all know where to get tamper proof screwdrivers

 

[Beemer533]

Sounds like the keypad is defective.. I have a similar wireless keypad I bought years ago at home depot and I think I have replaced the battery twice in 6or7 years? And that is using the door every day.

I don't know if I'd want a hardwired switch outside my garage.. It would have to be very well secured to make me comfortable..

 

[Richard Cranium]

Sears does sell the key switch you speak of, But I agree with the others, just making another easy way for some one to get into your garage.

 

[upndown]

For anyone using a keyless entry, good idea to change your pin # every now and then! Seen countless where I didn't need to ask the HO their pin #. You could see it on the buttons..worn or dirty.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I think my Craftsman keypad battery is original and it's at least 15 years old. Even if it's not original, I changed it so long ago I don't even remember doing it.

Tommy

 

[Kevin54]

One thing about a keyed switch is that you need to either have security screws on the faceplate, or the switch needs to be mounted so that there is no faceplate, and no way to be able to get to the wires of the switch from the outside. My dad and mom always prided their selves in that no one could jimmy any windows or doors. That's when I saw that my dad had a keyed switch for his garage door opener. All it took was a small screwdriver to pop the switch off and short across the wires and I was in the house. After he watched me do it, he made his own security screws by grinding the heads off of the screws he had so that a screwdriver wouldn't work on them.

 

[kbs2244]

Doesn't anybody make a key/radio switch?

 

[Cyberbear]

After you determine if the contacts are N.O or N.C., try looking at alarm system electrical key switches for the better security features. You may want one with momentary contacts., and Ebay has plenty to pick from, just choose your style and price.

 

[upndown]

One thing about a keyed switch is that you need to either have security screws on the faceplate, or the switch needs to be mounted so that there is no faceplate, and no way to be able to get to the wires of the switch from the outside. My dad and mom always prided their selves in that no one could jimmy any windows or doors. That's when I saw that my dad had a keyed switch for his garage door opener. All it took was a small screwdriver to pop the switch off and short across the wires and I was in the house. After he watched me do it, he made his own security screws by grinding the heads off of the screws he had so that a screwdriver wouldn't work on them.

Unfortunately, unless things have changed, they come with tiny little brads for mounting. Not even little screws.

Someone would get it off the same way your dad will have to if it ever malfunctions. Any doorman with half a brain won't install or replace them. Not worth the liability risk.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

thanks for all the info

I'll check things out

 

[Coolabah]

thanks for all the info

I'll check things out

I read a previous post on this topic , a great idea raised in that post ( can't find the thread ) was to hide a reed switch eg behind some siding , and all you need to do is place a magnet where the (hidden , but you know where ) switch is and the contacts close , door opens. Simple , cheap , reliable; reasonably safe unless you are seen accessing the switch, .

 

[wrench409]

I read a previous post on this topic , a great idea raised in that post ( can't find the thread ) was to hide a reed switch eg behind some siding , and all you need to do is place a magnet where the (hidden , but you know where ) switch is and the contacts close , door opens. Simple , cheap , reliable; reasonably safe unless you are seen accessing the switch, .

The old geezer that built my current garage had just such a switch. I found it when I rewired the garage. I did not reconnect it. But the extra GDO remote does NOT reside in my trucks console any longer (burglars break into vehicles to them to get inside homes nowadays).

 

[Coolabah]

The old geezer that built my current garage had just such a switch. I found it when I rewired the garage. I did not reconnect it. But the extra GDO remote does NOT reside in my trucks console any longer (burglars break into vehicles to them to get inside homes nowadays).

absolutely , very much the same here in my neck of the woods so none of my family leave remotes in their vehicles. I usually cut the antennae off my door openers or electronically isolate the RF receiver and use the NO contact on the motor to wire up my own access - you can connect this to any alarm/automation controller or electronic circuit which reduces the pool of common controllers big time and gives you complete control eg you can isolate ANY access whatsoever such as if your house alarm is on or it is dark or it is raining ( whatever !) ... you name it then access is on or access is off no matter what...

If I was to place a reed switch as I mentioned I would probably have it in series with other hidden SPST mechanical switches so that it wasn't "Live" 24/7 so you would have to find one or more other switches first , and the other switch inside the garage would also have to be "ON". I could go on for hours but I won't....

 

[James-W]

I would just replace the pushbutton one that you have now. It is probably defective and a new one will fix you right up.

 

[upndown]

I would just replace the pushbutton one that you have now. It is probably defective and a new one will fix you right up.

Yep! Hell its only been sitting out in the elements for 16 years. A car would be a. Pile of rust in that time. What other piece of $30-40 electronics sitting Inside your house has lasted that long? Replace and be done! It owes you nothing. Besides why would you want to have to carry a key around with you?

 

[csp]

I know someone who has two 8d finish nails driven into the door trim with wires attached to the ends inside. Touch a quarter or anything metal to the two nail heads and the door opens/closes.

 

[firworks]

A lot of people are talking about prying off the faceplates and shorting wires and all but... Around here thieves don't bother with the opener or the lock at all. They take a big pry bar and just pry up one corner and then crawl under. In some of the worse areas as you drive around every single garage has one corner of the bottom of the door bent up. Just like any security measure, then can all be defeated but just their existence will ward off some would-be burglars. Somebody might even be running the scam of looking for worn keys on keypads like someone mentioned above and see the key and just move on to the next house. If someones casing the house and watching it over time then they'll probably break in no matter what security was out there.

 

[James-W]

I don't think the opening poster was concerned about burglars, he was unhappy with his keypad because the battery runs down quickly and some of the number keys don't work very well. In other words, the keypad is quite old and is pretty much wore out. He just needs a new one and his problem is solved, but he was thinking about getting a key-type setup instead.

 

[AirJunky]

I have a motorized garage door opener I bought from Sears - 16 years ago (geeesh, has it been that long already ?) .... Craftsman model.

Besides the hand held remote like you might keep in your car, it also has a battery powered switch to open and close - mounted just outside the door.

I'm tired of that particular switch. The 9 volt battery doesn't last as long as I think it should, and you have to type in your code on a soft touch keypad, but sometimes, we have to enter it in several times before it works.

Anyway, I was wondering if I could simply add a key switch, so all I needed to do was turn a key one way or the other to get the door to go up or down.

Anyone done this, or have advice ???

Not sure on the keyed switch. But I have the same wireless keypad opener. When you enter your code, then press the Enter button, and it doesn't work......try pressing the Enter button a second time.
No clue why this works, but it works a lot on mine.

Another little trick with that keypad......when you want to close the door, just press the Enter button. No code needed.

 

[Jsf721]

Replace key pad. Mine became a pita. I replaced it and it's been fine.

 

[Coolabah]

I don't think the opening poster was concerned about burglars, he was unhappy with his keypad because the battery runs down quickly and some of the number keys don't work very well. In other words, the keypad is quite old and is pretty much wore out. He just needs a new one and his problem is solved, but he was thinking about getting a key-type setup instead.

Ah.. yes, but the great thing aout GJ is we have at least given him something else to consider. I truly , truly hope no-one ever answers one of my questions with such selective reasoning as you exhibit, no offense intended . Sometimes , heck , I do not even know what I do not know which is why I am asking the question !!!

 

[James-W]

Ah.. yes, but the great thing about GJ is we have at least given him something else to consider. I truly, truly hope no-one ever answers one of my questions with such selective reasoning as you exhibit, no offense intended . Sometimes, heck, I do not even know what I do not know which is why I am asking the question !!!

No offense taken. There is nothing wrong with suggesting alternative options; I have offered alternative ideas in the past as well. But in this case the opening poster seems to have been content with the keypad he had for the past 16 years. It was only recently that he started having problems with it and it was irritating him. It seems only logical his old keypad had become defective and it is time to get a new one. Entertaining different options is perfectly fine, but since he was happy with the keypad for 16 years I have to assume he would be happy with a new keypad as well, hopefully for another 16 years. Sometimes we overlook the forest because the trees are in the way.