Using lasers to trigger a traffic light in garage

[racerboy]

A friend of mine gave me a traffic light that you can just plug into an outlet. I thought it would be book to figure a way to hang it in the front of the garage and use lasers (like are used for garage doors) to trigger the lights depending on how far you backed in. Would this even be possible?


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[Stuart in MN]

Garage door photo sensors use an infrared beam, but yes - it would be possible with that sort of device. You'd need a little electronic knowledge and a few other components to get it hooked up. Here's one example of a infrared photosensor that could be used. https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ies_(21_x_31_x_13mm)/through_beam/qmihd-0n-0a

 

[Dustball]

What is your current knowledge of DC circuits and components used in automation?

 

[rsanter]

They already make those things that you mount to the wall and have the little traffic looking lights to let you know how close you,are.
Buy one of those and use the output to,the lights to trigger relays that will control your lights

 

[dogdog]

would WIFI works
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075CC9J2W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or just a clicker remote and wifi ?
https://www.newegg.com/sonoff-power-switch/p/0ED-00BX-00002?item=9SIAEG27702697

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBDGZFT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or anything else I think there is motioned sensor for SONOFF as well....

if it is anything else like trigger different light state... then not sure, if it is easy to do.

 

[TractorJeff]

Just go raid the local garage door installers dumpster! They throw the old door sensors away along with the opener when they do upgrade installs!

 

[Daves69]

Use a plug in motion activated control with remote sensor to turn on the light.

 

[racerboy]

Just go raid the local garage door installers dumpster! They throw the old door sensors away along with the opener when they do upgrade installs!

I’m about to have a couple of LiftMaster 8500W jackshafts installed, which will leave me with two pairs of the garage door infrared sensors. That might be something to consider.


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[racerboy]

Use a plug in motion activated control with remote sensor to turn on the light.

I really like this idea, but I’m not exactly sure how precise this motion sensor would be. This definitely looks like the easiest option.


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[Innovate1]

I’m about to have a couple of LiftMaster 8500W jackshafts installed, which will leave me with two pairs of the garage door infrared sensors. That might be something to consider.


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That's not likely to be useful without some investigation and extra circuity. Most (modern ones at least) don't put out pure dc signals. I have read they use some sort of pulse stream to prevent false triggering from shorting and the like for better safety. If you want to use them I suggest you look at the voltages and waveforms on them while the openers are still operational so you can do something similar. It's not terribly complicated and different companies operate them differently.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/garage-door-safety-sensor-hack/

 

[nadogail]

I hung a tired Tennis Ball on a string from the ceiling to solve that problem in my garage.

 

[jeepxj]

arduino to get distance and then output at thresholds to a relay to trigger each light.