Two different garage opener brands, different signals through wires

[Teej2012]

Short time lurker, new member.

I have a Craftsman opener in the first stall, and a Genie in the second stall (purchased about a year apart). The openers themselves work fine, but I decided to overhaul my garage and in the process, decided to go with a two button elevator panel. If wired correctly, both buttons obviously would work but the blue LED in the center of each button would light up.

I have them wired up, and both buttons work but what I found is only my Genie wired button illuminates the blue LED in the center of the button. I tried the same set of wires on the other button with the same result.

So, that's the back story, and here is my conclusion, of which I need some help resolving.

Not mentioned above, the original Genie wall switch came with a 2nd button that allowed for the light bulb inside the opener to be turned on without opening the door. The Craftsman does not have the option. As a result, the Genie opener is sending a different amp/volt signal through the wires allowing the blue LED to light.

Question: Is there a way I can add maybe a relay or something to the Craftsman set of wires so that it sends enough juice to illuminate the LED?

For now I have removed the negative wire to the LED for the Genie opener so that the panel looks uniform. Neither LED is illuminated, doors open fine. But it would be very cool if I could get the panel to light up as intended.

I have photos but cant post them, maybe because I'm too new to the forum

 

[Teej2012]

Here's the photos of panel.

 

[Gary S]

Different brands=different electronics.

 

[Teej2012]

Different brands=different electronics.

We have already established that they are different brands, and the reason why they are sending different signals.

The Genie sends an extra signal for the additional light option on the wall panel, whereas the Craftsman does not.

And before anyone suggests it, I am not buying a new garage door opener just to get the LED to illuminate

 

[pattenp]

Are you wanting the LEDs to be on all the time? If so, can't you steal power from the Genie to light both LEDs?

 

[Teej2012]

Are you wanting the LEDs to be on all the time? If so, can't you steal power from the Genie to light both LEDs?

I thought about it, but then both buttons would control the Genie. But thinking more about it, I can have the Genie (+) going to its own and the Craftsman (+), and have the Craftsman on just it's own (+), both on their own (-) and LED (-) and that might work.

 

[89MustangGX]

Nothing to add for solutions, but I do want to say the elevator button is a cool idea. I like it!

Adam

 

[gatchel]

Those LED's in the Elevator buttons are most likely 24volt DC. You could wire up the buttons using a small additional relay (24vdc coil, DPDT contacts)to activate the opener with one side of of the relay and the other side of the relay could activate the LED when pressed or constantly if you wanted it to without being wired to the relay. You will need an additional 2 wires from a 24vdc wall wart or other power source. I wouldn't cross wires coming from the openers. That could cause problems...

 

[gatchel]

I thought about it, but then both buttons would control the Genie. But thinking more about it, I can have the Genie (+) going to its own and the Craftsman (+), and have the Craftsman on just it's own (+), both on their own (-) and LED (-) and that might work.

Thinking of this also....You probably could steal power from the Genie to light both buttons. The contact closure on the elevator buttons is usually separate from the LED power input. The only issue that I see is when you press the genie button to create the closure to open the genie door, the LED's on both buttons will probably go out while the button is being pressed. The only dilemma is how much power (current) can the genie opener source for the LED power. You may risk burning out the genie power supply. There are probably current limiting resistors on the Genie outputs but you may want to be careful here. Those LED can draw anywhere from 30 to 50 mA or more per LED.

 

[RCStocker]

Just run a a different set of wires to the switch. One from each of the openers. I don't think there is a signal sent. I think the power that makes the light go on runs from the electronis in the opener. The light on the switch is there all the time if you have one that lights up. The electonics is so different that I don't see a way to make it work.
Use 2 lead lines and be done with it. The runs are not that long. It is cheaper to buy roll of wire than by the foot. You can buy wire with 6 or more wires in it.

The real question is why did you buy two different brands. you can set the wave lenght to be different on each opener.

 

[GMBracing]

have you tried reversing the wires on the switch for the craftsman. leds only work in one direction and the opener may be a ground switch not a hot swicth, Just a though

 

[Teej2012]

Thanks for the replies. I will try a few things when I get back home this weekend.

I cannot run a second set of wires because I cannot get into that part of the ceiling.

Yes, I also tried switching the wires around on the actual opener unit itself, did not work.

I have yet to run the Genie hot to both the Genie and the Craftsman, but having both lights react when a button is pushed does not bother me at all. Its a lot better than having one illuminated and one off... even better than having neither on (present set up).

And to answer the question about different openers...

When we built our house in 2007, we did not have the builder include openers as they were out of budget. A year later, we added the Craftsman for my wife as I did not need one. Then when I decided I was tired of getting out of my car in the winter to open the door, I found a silent Genie on CraigsList for almost nothing as the guy upgraded.

Thats why we currently have two different brand doors. Within the next year, we will have the same openers and two new garage doors as well. Time to upgrade to heavier insulated doors as my new look garage will need them.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD