Simpler Bluetooth Garage Door Opener

Check out the Internet Your Thing WiFi version on Kickstarter - it will be able to open your garage door or open a pet kennel door as you approach.

A few months ago, I created an Instructable that showed you how to bluetooth enable your garage door, car starter, and other myriad things. I have expanded on that design to now make it even easier for you to bluetooth enable devices and control them from your phone / tablet. No soldering is required for this Instructable. All you need is the Daisy Bluetooth Multi-Thing Controller, a screwdriver, and about 15 minutes.

The controller includes four control switches and screw terminals on the board.

It works with the same free Daisy On/Off Android application which allows dynamically creating multiple buttons with custom labels and behavior to easily control various things that have been Bluetooth enabled.

As always, there are risks associated with modifying and wireless control of any equipment. You assume full responsibility and risks related to your use of this information.

Material

Bluetooth Controller - includes USB power adapter, cable, and case
Wire for connection - old phone cable works well

Tools

Phillips screwdriver
Knife or wire cutters/strippers to cut and strip wire

Notes

The Bluetooth controller supports up to a 20 character alpha-numeric pin code for security.

Apple 'i' products have restricted Bluetooth and aren't supported by the Bluetooth controller. Apple 'i' products could proxy communication through a PC with Bluetooth, but that requires additional effort not covered in this howto.

If you like this Instructable, we have more hardware / software available to enable similar DIY projects on our website.

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Step 1: Connect it

The pins are labeled on the back of the case and controller board. All the PIO pins are electrically the same so any PIO pin can be used.

I connected one garage door between PIO7 and GND and the other between PIO6 and GND. This is neater and easier since both door wire pairs need to connect the common wire to the GND pin.

If the wires are connected backwards the door will activate immediately because of conduction through the protection diode. Just reverse the wires and the door should not activate immediately when connected.

If connecting more than one garage door, connect all the opener common (terminal 2 pins) to the Bluetooth controller ground pin.

chiknuggt says: Nov 27, 2012. 6:30 PM

Is it possible to do the same for, let's say, unlocking and locking a door? I plan on building one of the famous "bookcase doors" and I want to have a way to lock and unlock the door without actually slaughtering books so that i can use them as an elaborate door handle. Is this possible, and if so, please provide insight on this project. Thank you in advance! :D

P.S. I am 13 years old, so please do not become technical. Thanks!

tattooedkaos says: Apr 15, 2012. 8:44 PM

I tried to order one of these modules and it says it is not available to order, when will they be back in stock?

tcollinsworth (author) in reply to tattooedkaosApr 16, 2012. 4:33 AM

Very soon. We expect this week.

Create1 says: Apr 8, 2012. 9:28 PM

I hate to ask so many questions, but i think this is it. First, to connect the module to my phone, do i have to use all of those codes? where do I put them into? Is there something more to do in addition to using the configuration page in the app?
Also if i get a new phone, will it connect the same way?
Lastly, what are the specifics (gauge, type, etc) for the wire you used, and does one have to be positive and the other negative?

I really appreciate your time and help.

tcollinsworth (author) in reply to Create1Apr 9, 2012. 4:26 AM

I'm guessing you're looking at WiFi device configuration which was recently added for a new device not yet released. Instead, start with your phones network settings. Under Bluetooth, scan for all devices, and pair with the Daisy using the default pin 1234. Then back in the Daisy On/Off app you only have to select a Bluetooth device from the list. No codes are required unless you want to change the default pin. Changing the pin only requires two commands, one to enter command mode, and one to change the code. You need to change the pin code with the Blueterm app.

If you get a new phone, just repeat the procedure.

Wire can be most any size since very low current is required to activate typical door openers, however I don't know your make and model. I use old telephone wire, but ethernet, doorbell, or security wire should all work. There is polarity on the doors I have tried. If the door activates when you connect it, just reverse the wires.

Create1 says: Apr 5, 2012. 8:46 PM

Hey i am considering doing this project for my car, but we are a multi car family, and 2 of them have a built in homelink system. If i do this project and add the module to he garage door, will we still be able to use the homelink in the other cars or will it remove that functionality?

tcollinsworth (author) in reply to Create1Apr 5, 2012. 9:08 PM

It doesn't affect the other functionality.

nickfank says: Feb 13, 2012. 6:15 PM

Very Cool! I just bought one of the multi-thing controllers & had it working on the first garage door in about 10 minutes. (Second one will take some wire stringing.) Now I've got to come up with something else fun for the other two switches.

RecumbentCat says: Feb 3, 2012. 10:30 AM

What about Garage Door openers where it expressly tells one not to use another wired wall unit? Is it actually okay to wire something in in this case?

I guess I could just pair the Bluetooth controller with another wireless clicker.

Anyway, thank you so much. This is a great idea, and if I can get it working it could make my life easier as I'm always going in and out of the garage! Our outdoor password operated remote mounted on the side of the house always glitches and stops working in weather that isn't right around 75 degrees. In Central Texas that's rather uncommon weather most days of the year.

tcollinsworth (author) in reply to RecumbentCatFeb 3, 2012. 5:13 PM

This might not work with all garage doors. If the garage door activates when the button terminals are shorted, then it would likely work. Instead of shorting the terminals, I actually tested it by connecting a 100 - 1K resistor across the button terminals.

sssaksena says: Feb 2, 2012. 2:07 PM

What about the range of the bluetooth? Just wondering....

tcollinsworth (author) in reply to sssaksenaFeb 3, 2012. 5:09 PM

See range below.

dsalcido says: Feb 2, 2012. 7:16 AM

hi, whats the difference between this and the Bluetooth Breakout Board ???

and whats the range each??

tcollinsworth (author) in reply to dsalcidoFeb 3, 2012. 5:08 PM

This model really improves/replaces the breakout board. This board also breaks out all the Bluetooth module pins. It organizes them better for connecting a microcontroller like Arduino. It has the digital MOSFET switches and flyback/transient voltage suppression diodes integrated. It has screw terminals so you don't have to solder at all to connect a typical garage door opener.

Without obstructions the device can work up to 100 meters. I get about 100 feet or 30 meters in my garage.

For testing, I have unsoldered the chip antenna and soldered on coax to a high gain WiFi antenna and can reliably communicate over 100 meters, however, this does invalidate the certifications.

kool1zero says: Feb 3, 2012. 4:12 PM

Why not just crack your door open and use the actual power door locks that most vehicles have?

On my Saturday Ion I pulled my door panel off and I found that when I'm in my car if I hit the lock button on the food it shorts two pins and if I hit lock it connects a 1.5K resistor between those two pins. (Or vice versa maybe) that might we be nicer because you could run them to the controlling instead of using up a key fob.