If they were really concerned about either litigation or safety, they would take down the blog article telling people to do something that violates the UL safety standards. But they leave it up, so obviously that’s not a concern.
As you mentioned, there is a UL standard for unattended operation of garage doors which requires an audible notification.
Although the relays that some people use to essentially hotwire the garage doors are typically UL listed, they are almost all UL listed for the control of light fixtures. Not for the control of garage doors.
The safety standards for unattended operation of garage doors are being tightened up even further for 2016. At that point I do expect some gated communities to require them, and some cities to require them of the landlords. I don’t think we’re at the point where individual homeowners will be required to follow them in most circumstances. It’s a personal decision.
The three most popular unattended operation systems: my q, The Linear GD 00Z series, and the telgard are all UL listed and all have the safety features that are missing from the DIY hotwire relay approach.
But no legal requirement yet that I’m aware of unless some particular city somewhere is requiring only UL listed devices of landlords.
man I’m confused…new ST owner here, and I have v2 but have yet to do anything with it. The very first thing I wanted to tackle was the garage door automation, but now I’m wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. There’s the Evolve wired thing, and the Linear wired thing, and then the expensive MyQ deal. So what the heck am I supposed to get?
MimoLite with a wired sensor is the best. Have had MimoLite working with a tilt sensor for a year with no problems. My door was opening automatically as I was approaching the door. Well, now that you cannot tie a tilt sensor I ordered a wired one that plugs into the relay. If you are interested in how it works, PM me for guidance.
@hillbilly, if I remember right, the tilt sensor talks to the GoControl main device, so technically it should work. It’s also similar to NuTone’s and Linear’s. In fact, look at the 3rd image in the Amazon link you provided. Even though it’s a GoControl branded device, you can see in that image it is also a Linear.
Personally, another separate wireless device isn’t something I wanted to deal with regardless of how.what manages it, plus setting up a wired sensor is crazy easy.
I didn’t know about the Telguard when I first used a MIMOLite for an opener almost 2 years ago. After seeing this device I would replace what I have now with a Telguard if my MIMOLite ever fails.
so you’re saying “another separate wireless device” meaning the tilt sensor on the door right? Is that because you’re having to replace batteries in it? As for the Telguard thing…the wired sensor still attaches to the door?
@hillbilly, exactly, although batteries should last a while. Wireless interference or loss of connectivity to the main unit, and being knocked off the door were a couple more items I wanted to not worry about.
Also, with the Linear/NuTone/GoControl units, if power is lost, the garage door has to cycle once to re-connect to it’s wireless tilt sensor.
@johnconstantelo I assume that since you’re set up with the mimolite, your system doesnt beep or anything at close/open as the other garage door specific solutions?
I was actually thinking about it in a good way, lol. I’m not trying to be anti-safe, but I don’t really want some loud alarm going off at night if I forget to close the garage door manually and use the app.
It’s not that loud, it’s an audible beep. Not like a smoke alarm.
The obstruction technology on almost all US garage doors is based on a beam being broken which is usually a foot or so off the ground.
Many people have brought the garage door down on the trunk of the car because the Beam was unobstructed even though the trunk was sticking into the path of the door.
I just wasn’t sure how long the beep actually was, like if it was just a short ‘notify’ type beep or if it beeped off/on as the door went down.
I know exactly how the beam technology works. Had to open mine up and solder the contact wires in place when the little tiny plugs corroded. I’ve thought about adding at least one more pair of sensors in at trunk height for added safety. (newer units actually come with extra upper level sensors, anyway)
warning indicator light flashes and a beeper sounds for 5 seconds before the door begins to move.
◆ If the door does not completely open or close, a second open or close command can be sent after 30 seconds.
◆ If the door does not completely open or close after the second attempt, the Controller operation is suspended until a local garage door pushbutton is activated.
@johnconstantelo Thanks for the MIMOlite device type - It’s working well here, after getting everything installed. Only thing I may have to do is tweak the magnet/bracket on the door. I had it mounted just like your picture in another thread, but it was rubbing on the chain track/support on open, so I had to move it away from the sensor a bit so it would sit lower, and I had trouble keeping it close enough to the sensor to register. We’ll see how it goes and if I got it sorted permanently.
I’ve thought about adding at least one more pair of sensors in at trunk height for added safety. (newer units actually come with extra upper level sensors, anyway)