Liftmaster 8500 - Motion Activated Lights?

[polizei1]

Need more help! Searched this forum and Google for a good couple of hours...

I'll be using two Liftmaster 8500's in my garage. When I activate the garage doors, I want the lights in the garage to activate. How do I achieve this, without using their stupid bubble lights?

The obvious thing I think of is using a ceiling mounted occupancy sensors that would detect the garage door movement and then activate the lights. When looking at these however, they only seem to work off heat (Passive Infrared) or PIR and Ultrasound. Will this work? If so, great! I'm done...

If not, do I have any other options? I guess I could still use the occupancy sensors, they just wouldn't trip until I enter the garage, but I was hoping to have the garage lit prior to pulling the car in so I can see! I know they're fast-operating, but I still don't want to have to pull half-way in the garage to trip a sensor...

 

[Stuff]

Use a 823LM Remote Light Switch ?

I use one with my Liftmaster 8365. Don't know if it works with the 8500.

 

[cybrdyke]

light the garage door on fire. Then you'll have motion and heat for the PIR.
CD

 

[checkthisout]

View media item 79931
"Replaces your existing wall switch to allow you to control home lighting with your smartphone or garage door opener remote control. Requires a LiftMaster Wi-Fi garage door opener, Internet Gateway, or MyQ Garage."

 

[PoorOwner]

as far as I know you can program these to come on with the garage door activation, or program to the one of the remote buttons

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FT4N72/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wssix99]

Moderators - Please sticky these threads! (This topic comes up a lot...)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=288164

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171014

 

[polizei1]

Thanks! Can the 825LM be hardwired? I won't have a "lamp" or anything with a cord to actually plug into it...I need the system to be hardwired to the garage lights (7 in total).

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Thanks! Can the 825LM be hardwired? I won't have a "lamp" or anything with a cord to actually plug into it...I need the system to be hardwired to the garage lights (7 in total).

Nope, it is just a plug in module....the pic a lil higher shows the 823lm which is a remote activate light switch, I use one in my setup to control my front garage lights, works great but it doesn't have anything to do with the door opening, its either remotely from my smart phone or on a set schedule, either way. The bubble light you talk about is this

it simply plugs into any outlet in your garage and comes on when the door is activated OR if you walk into the sensors area. Works ok other that being kinda cheap looking, IMHO, I have this too.

 

[wssix99]

Thanks! Can the 825LM be hardwired? I won't have a "lamp" or anything with a cord to actually plug into it...I need the system to be hardwired to the garage lights (7 in total).

Yes. First link above, post #39. You should read through both threads. There are many options. Most are not as intricate as mine, nor do they need to control multiple circuits as I do. (separate lights and fan) If you only need one light, there are smaller/simpler devices that would allow you to avoid contactors.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Yes. First link above, post #39. You should read through both threads. There are many options. Most are not as intricate as mine, nor do they need to control multiple circuits as I do. (separate lights and fan) If you only need one light, there are smaller/simpler devices that would allow you to avoid contactors.

So in post 39 your saying you took these (as shown below p/n 825LM) apart and customized them in a special box? So no warranty? if something fails, again no warranty?

 

[Stuff]

OP has two GDOs. I don't think one of these will work with both. Might have to use two and a relay do drive light.

 

[polizei1]

Yea I'm not technically inclined enough to take units apart, re-wire, use relays, etc. I was hoping there was a device already established on the market.

Stuff, I will have two, and it would be nice if both worked, but it's not mandatory. As long as the main double door works, I'll be happy!

I'll get with a Liftmaster rep and let you guys know if I come up with anything.

 

[checkthisout]

Yea I'm not technically inclined enough to take units apart, re-wire, use relays, etc. I was hoping there was a device already established on the market.

Stuff, I will have two, and it would be nice if both worked, but it's not mandatory. As long as the main double door works, I'll be happy!

I'll get with a Liftmaster rep and let you guys know if I come up with anything.

The 823LM meets the criteria you asked for.

There are also tilt sensors that can be paired with home automation systems to accomplish the goal.

You'll need to be more specific about why the 823LM won't work before researching more advanced options.

 

[wssix99]

So in post 39 your saying you took these (as shown below p/n 825LM) apart and customized them in a special box? So no warranty? if something fails, again no warranty?

Sorry. No, I didn't look up that part number and that's not what I used. One takes out the control board of the bubble lights that the door openers come with. (They are trash anyway. So, no need to worry about the warranty or purchase any additional accessories!) This detail should be in those threads.

 

[wssix99]

OP has two GDOs. I don't think one of these will work with both. Might have to use two and a relay do drive light.

I missed that the detail on the number of openers was in there, also. Lighting contractors would the thing to use (they install and work similar to relays) and one would be needed for each door plus one additional one if it's desired to also retain a normal light switch in the equation.

(The push button switches on the wall remotes could be used, but that may reduce some utility if one wants to use the timer functions and these wall remotes also have some reliability issues that haven't been proven out yet...)

 

[polizei1]

The 823LM meets the criteria you asked for.

There are also tilt sensors that can be paired with home automation systems to accomplish the goal.

You'll need to be more specific about why the 823LM won't work before researching more advanced options.

I looked into the 825, not the 823. I'll look into this, thanks!

 

[Stuff]

Thinking about it. You could use two 823s in one box wired in parallel. One for each GDO so if either opens the lights come on.

 

[wssix99]

I looked into the 825, not the 823. I'll look into this, thanks!

Thinking about it. You could use two 823s in one box wired in parallel. One for each GDO so if either opens the lights come on.

These would allow a remote button to be re-purposed to turn a set of lights on. However, I don't believe one could have the remote trigger the door opener and then have the door opener trigger these. (The OP is looking for the door opening to turn on real lights.)

A number of folks here have done this, but I haven't seen any method other than taking a bubble light control board and wiring it to one of various other control devices. (contactor, solid state relay, etc.)

 

[polizei1]

So I talked to a salesman who sells Liftmaster products. The only solution is to use a bubble light with the 8500. Other than that, it appears you have to modify with relays, etc. like some people here have done, or I assume I can use an occupancy sensor.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mrramsey]

I have the 8500 and tossed the light kit. Don't like the look of it. I have my garage lights on an occupancy sensor. They come on when the door opens and are waaay brighter.

 

[polizei1]

Thanks mrraymsey! What occ sensor are you using?