New to SmartThings: Setting up garage door

Devices & Integrations
1

Is the following statement true:

You cannot use geofence with your garage door unless you have both a relay module AND a multisensor? Right now, I hooked up the Evolve relay and it works great. It can open and close the door, however, I can’t seem to use any of the fancy actions (i.e., open when I come home) unless I buy another sensor? Why can’t it just know the current position of the door and the monitor changes to track open or closed?

2

The relay doesn’t know if the door is open or closed. Adding a sensor lets SmartThings know if you’re opening or closing it. Only then do we expose the additional options.

3

I guess that makes sense. I just didn’t realize that when I ordered the hub and the relay. What is the cheapest sensor that does open/close? I haven’t found anything under about $50.

4

Ecolink tilt sensor is what I use and it works great for me.

5

Here is my Recipe for a Z-Wave ST Secured and Automated Garage Door:

Garage Door Automation with LINEAR Relay

Items needed:

  1. GE Z-Wave Fluorescent Light & Appliance Module 45603
  2. LINEAR FS20Z-1 Z-Wave 20-Amp Fixture Mount Control
  3. SmartSense Multi sensor
  4. Shielded computer cable (strip the 3-wires)
  5. Old fashion garage door clicker which you already have!
  6. Solder and Soldering Iron.
  7. ST app on your phone.

Instructions:

  1. Strip one end of the computer power cable (the end which is not used to connect to the wall).
    a. Wight/Black/Green
  2. Connect Wight/Black/Green wires from the LINEAR FS20Z-1 device to the striped wire ends on the power cable.
  3. Solder the connected wires from Step 2 together with the soldering iron.
  4. Connect and solder the 2 blew wires to the circuit board of the clicker connection of the button.
  5. Use wire nuts or electric tape in order to cover exposed wire ends.
  6. Connect the power cable to the outlet and pair the LINEAR FS20Z-1 Z-wave relay.
  7. Pair with the ST Hub and test to see if it activates the garage door.
  8. Connect the GE Z-Wave Light & Appliance Module between the garage power cable and the line.
    a. Make certain to connect the garage door to the Z-wave outlet side of the module.
  9. Pair the GE Z-Wave Light & Appliance Module with the ST Hub.
  10. Attach the SmartSense Multi to the garage door.
  11. Open the ST app and setup with one of the two methods:
    a. Use the Smart Sense presence Sensors
    i. When someone with a presence sensor comes home turn on
  1. GE light & appliance module
  2. LENIER Z-wave relay.
    b. Use one of your “Hello Home” actions:
    i. When the house is in “I’m Back” mode turn on:
  3. GE light & appliance module
  4. LENIER Z-wave relay.
  1. Setup an “Alert” in the ST app using the “Valuables” option to alert you if the sensor is opened.
    a. Optional: Trigger the Siren.

Test it out and your garage door will magically open for you!
I will post some photos later on to demonstrate how it worked for me.
In my opinion, this is the most secure way to protect and automate your garage door.