Loxone + Old Garage Door Opener + Homelink + Tesla

[TomM]

We have a garage door opener called a Duralift 4500.  It's probably from the 90s I would say but in general still does what it needs to do, absolutely zero info or support online ay longer though.  The biggest problem though, it has a wall-mounted switch plus a single 1-button remote that's the size of a brick, other than that, no connectivity or good control options.

What I wanted to achieve was this:

• have a small remote control on a keychain, possibly with multiple functions
• built-in control of the door from Loxone
• retain existing wall switch functionality for use just in case Loxone is out of action.
• potentially hook it up to Homelink which is built into my Tesla

I looked at several options including universal door opening remotes, Homelink universal openers, new remotes, and other options but all were either quite costly or difficult to source in the UK.  There's quite a bit of info out there about garage doors and Homelink but this mostly points to an expensive HomeLink universal device.

Turns out I shouldn't have overthought it, key information to know is this:

• Dura Lift wall control box has a pair of contacts that toggle the door when they connect (e.g. with a relay)
• Homelink runs on standard 433MHz remote technology and therefore doesn't need a Homelink certified product
• Tesla will learn any 433MHz remote and output it as required
• a 4-channel relay with 433MHz 4 button remote control is widely available and cheap as chips

What I did in the end.

• bought a 4 channel relay with 4 button remote control from eBay for £11.
• powered this using 12VDC and connected the relays to switch a 24VDC feed to a digital input on the MSv2.  I had to remove the jumper from the device so that the relays remain closed as long as the remote button was pressed.
• I then connected the 2 contact terminals in the Dura Lift wall switch (marked key1 and key 2) to a digital output on the MSv2.
• Inside of Loxone Config, I added a 'Garage door / Gate Controller' with a connection from digital input 1 (remote relay A) to the trigger input.  The trigger output is then connected to digital output 1, which triggers the garage door.
• Don't forget to set your door opening and closing period (in seconds) so that you get the nice animation in sync in the user interface.

This setup allowed me to use the little remotes as a digital input on the MSv2 and, in turn, control the opening of the garage door as required.  I still have 3 more buttons that I can do other cool stuff with in the future.

Now comes the super-cool bit.  I used the built-in Homelink functionality in my Tesla to learn my 433MHz remote control codes (3 buttons max) using the really easy instructions on the in-car display (Use Standard Mode).  I've set up the garage door Homelink code to be sent when I'm within 50ft of the garage door so that it opens automatically.  I'll be using the other functions to control lighting, security, etc once that get's installed properly.

So, for the princely sum of £11 and a couple of hours work I've turned an old and basic garage door opener into a fully connected device that integrates with my car, has geofencing capability, and has a super simple key fob remote to keep things simple where needed.

The only downside is that if you open/close the door using the old Dura Lift wall switch, Loxone has no idea about this and therefore the door and Loxone can get out of sync.  I plan to resolve this using a pair of magnetic reed switches that will identify if the door is fully open or fully closed.  This should keep the Loxone in sync as much as possible.

Hope this is of use to someone in the future as it's pretty simple when you get to the heart of the setup.

[Nova Saradjian]

That's sounds amazing....... Im doing a project at the moment and the client has the same old electric gate which he wants me to somehow control from Loxone but I'm a bit lost with it....... I suppose I need to open it up and see if there are any terminals to connect to. Would be good to get your advise on this when I get round to doing it :)  he also has electric gate which needs changing..... Any suggestion on what electric gate mechanism to use which can work with Loxone? 

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[Deac99]

Duncan had turned me on to the Shelly wifi relays.  I have not had chance to figure out the details for how to interface them with Loxone but I'm assured it can be done.  Just another option to consider and they are 16 amp.

https://www.amazon.com/SHELLY-Wireless-Automation-Android-Application/dp/B07G33LNDY?ref_=ast_sto_dp

[TomM]

@Nova - I think the lesson here is that things may not be as complicated as they first seem - you just need to research the product that you're connecting to thoroughly.  Happy to help where I can but the best thing to do is find out the make and model and post on here (maybe in a new thread to keep things discrete).  The thing about gate and garage door openers is that they generally have a contact closure input to allow for external control devices (normally push buttons or key switches) so hopefully, you'll be in luck!

See the attached images which show the original wall switch and then with the cover off to expose the super-simple circuit board.  On the left-hand side is the pair of contact closure terminals that toggle the door when connected (I've connected a bit of cat5 to them which goes back to the MS digital output).

Re the Shelly products - yep, a really good option that integrates with Loxone super easily where you need a remotely located (within wifi range) device.

[Nova Saradjian]

Thanks Duncan/Tom for the advise...... I will have take a closer look and report back. 

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[Duncan]

i can also confirm that reed switches for the garage doors being fully open and closed works well with this setup

even with a single toggle switch for the door system, with a bit of clever config you can create a 'shut' and 'open' function in loxone config - ive set one to my 'goodnight' button/function by the door that shows if the doors are not shut and that always closes both garage doors with a single push

[Rafael Millan]

Virtual outputs

https://www.shelly-support.eu/forum/index.php?thread/775-collection-of-http-commands/

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[Rydens]

Agree - very easy to expand with Shelly (within WiFi range). 

You can put the http commands for on and off into one virtual output, then treat that as a light or output from a switch / logic. Connect the logic directly to the Virtual output and when turned on it issues the on command, when turned off it issues the off command - works well. Obviously you have to have give each shelly a fixed IP address to enable you to address it. 

You can also drive and trigger the Shelly 1 at a one voltage and switch a different voltage as the contacts are dry.

Shelly has outlets in many countries - if in the USA https://shopusa.shelly.cloud/  or UK https://shellystore.co.uk/shop  or direct from the manufacturer: https://shelly.cloud/ there they also list partners in other locations.

These are great little products particularly for retrofit (I have 6 Shellys linked up to my Loxone and have installed several Shellys with friends stand alone using the Shelly App).

There is also a Shelly in a button case for inline to a light or device https://shelly.cloud/products/shelly-button-smart-home-automation-device/

and shelly plugs (much cheaper than Loxone's) https://shop.shelly.cloud/shelly-plug-us-wifi-smart-home-automation-1 (Europe of US versions only right now - no UK unfortunately!)

Cheers David