How to Make a Custom Garage Door Opener

I recently got a new Ford Explorer. It is a fantastic car, and has made being a maker so much easier. The one problem is that it didn't have a garage door opener. The interior looked so nice, I didn't want to ruin it by clipping an old clunky clicker to the sun visor. So I took my old clicker apart and rebuilt it to fit my car perfectly.

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Website: www.theshopclass.org

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Supplies

Materials: Momentary switch (button), ⅛” wood, lead wires, vinyl/paint, small garage door opener

Tools: Drill, drill bit (matching button diameter), 2 hole saws (one slightly larger than change holder and one slightly smaller) momentary switch (button), soldering tools, super glue

Step 1: Remove Circuit Board

The first step is to remove the circuit board form your old, ugly, inconvenient garage door opener.

Step 2: Solder Leads

Once the circuit board is removed, you will most likely see a pad like the one in the picture. This is how the button works. When the interwoven lines are connected by the conductive material on the bottom of the button (or your thumb) the switch is activated. Solder a new lead to each side of the oval to separate the positive and negative terminals.

Step 3: Cut Circle

Use a hole saw (or band saw, jig saw, or scroll saw) to cut a circle slightly larger than the cup holder/change holder that the new button will be going into. Then cut a second circle slightly smaller.

Step 4: Cut Ring

Use a smaller whole saw to cut the center of the smaller circle out, making a ring.

Step 5: Vinyl Wrap Circle

After making sure that the hole in the center is big enough for the button. Vinyl wrap/paint the bigger circle on one side, this will be the top of the garage door opener.

Step 6: Glue Ring to Circle

Using super glue attach the ring to the underside of the larger circle. This will hold the whole thing in place in the cup holder/change holder and prevent it from sliding around.

Step 7: Attach Button

Attach the button to the large circle using the nut it came with.

Step 8: Connect Leads to Button

Connect the other side of the leads you previously soldered to the circuit board to the button. This is done by threading the wires through the holes in the button and then tightening them with the included bolts.

Step 9: Done!

Place the your stylish new garage door opener in your change holder/cup holder and you are ready to go!

Comments

[frarugi87]

Did something like this on 2 cars, but I used a 12V remote instead of a 3V one, so I could connect the power to the car battery line (in one car to the radio, in another it was connected in the fuse box - of course after a fuse)

[theshopclassca]

Wow. That's impressive. To be honest, I was hesitant to connect to the battery because I'm still kind of new to electronics and I didn't want to make any permanent changes to my car

[rzeuner]

I love the idea and you do a wonderful job explaining your build. Couldn't help but wonder if you could have simply modified a travel mug to be your remote, then it would have been more disguised for those who think this is too obviously a way into your garage and home.

[theshopclassca]

That's a cool idea, and the little secret agent inside of me loves it. Maybe I am being Naive, but I am just not as concerned about people breaking into my car, finding my address, opening my garage, and getting into my house. My garage is detached, so no house access. But also, every car I have owned before this has had a built in garage door opener that wasn't hidden. Besides, if someone really wanted to get into a house, it seems like a lot less work to just smash a window then go through the trouble of stealing a car

[rzeuner]

I totally agree! I also think the mug idea makes it ultra portable if you have other vehicles or if you need to load out your opener to someone.

[JoeyyBoyy]

Very neat idea and complements on your instructable presentation - well done!

[theshopclassca]

Thank you. If you enjoyed it make sure you check out my youtube for more cool videos

[Knotman]

It might be neater and foil any car thieves if you connected your door opener to your headlight flashing circuit. Drive up to your door and flash the lights and your door opens.

[theshopclassca]

That's a cool idea, and the little secret agent inside of me loves it. Maybe I am being Naive, but I am just not as concerned about people breaking into my car, finding my address, opening my garage, and getting into my house. My garage is detached, so no house access. But also, every car I have owned before this has had a built in garage door opener that wasn't hidden. Besides, if someone really wanted to get into a house, it seems like a lot less work to just smash a window then go through the trouble of stealing a car

[Dr Will 304]

They have cell phone apps that open garage door by connecting through your wifi. Keeps your car interior stylish AND you get to keep the cup holder.

Also, they have regular RF garage door openers that fit on your keychain.

BTW...We just replaced an opener. BUT they make atermarket kits that allow the wifi option.

[theshopclassca]

I din't want the key chain one because I really hate carrying a bunch of stuff in my pocket. I don't even have normal keys. Just my car keys, everything else is electronic. That is why I love the idea of a IOT garage door opener. But even then, I wouldn't want to open up an app on my phone every time I get home, so I would still want a button.

[steveofthenw]

I took a different approach. In order to feel more secure in my home and to get in touch with my inner James Bond, I hid the garage door opener button when I installed it. Ain't gonna elaborate on where I put it, but it is an obvious location and very easy to access. And a would-be thief would never know it's there. I also did my motorcycle, but since it stays in the garage when I'm home, I didn't have to hide it, just mounted it on my fairing. When people ask me what the little red button is for ("is it for nitrous?"), I tell 'em it's a rocket launcher.

[theshopclassca]

That's Awesome, you should tell people its an Ejector Seat every once in a while.

[Dr Will 304]

You guys are cracking me up. Loving IT!

[cyberdove1]

How to Make a Custom Garage Door Opener CASE.

[theshopclassca]

I've been getting a lot of feedback on the name. I had thought about using the word case. However, I feel that by modifying the actual device (by soldering in a new button) I am justified in saying I customized the device itself, not just the case.

[jtreadgold]

forget the built in button if your vehicle gets stolen the theif has your address and a way into your house. I have a keychain remote and it stays in my pocket with my keys (Electronic ignition).

[theshopclassca]

That's an interesting point. Luckily I have a detached garage/workshop so having my garage door opener in the car doesn't really help thieves into the house.

[HGC]

It is so ridiculously easy to get into a home Having a garage door opener doesn’t matter. Even homes with alarms, YouTube is full of videos now on how to defeat locks and alarms. The only good thing is most criminals are dumb

[theshopclassca]

My fear is always that it doesn't matter how many locks you have on your door if a brick will still go through your window. But so far I've been safe and hopefully that doesn't change.