>> I think the problem with using a relay is that you probably miss state information like open/closed/obstructed, etc.
> You're on the right track here. Garage doors are a security risk and safety hazard. All these homebrewed, cobbled together solutions aren't tested to UL standards like the official stuff is.
How so? I don't think anyone's talking about a homebrewed garage door opener, just a hacked garage door opener remote. It would almost certainly be physically and electrically isolated from the actual UL-tested opener.
If you're doing homebrew, a pretty easy and effective solution to the "state" problem is point a camera at the door. That also gives you better (remote) situational awareness when the door is going to close than any commercial solution on the market (though I haven't actually checked what's available in 10 years).
I actually built a IOT garage door remote about 10 years ago (I got the hardware working, but lost steam with the control software beyond running commands over ssh). The effort I spent to directly sense the door state was a waste. You've got a good solution with a Raspberry Pi, an off-the-shelf remote, a reed relay wired to one of the buttons, and a webcam.
But ultimately, the best and cheapest solution is neighbors who will help you.
> You're on the right track here. Garage doors are a security risk and safety hazard. All these homebrewed, cobbled together solutions aren't tested to UL standards like the official stuff is.
How so? I don't think anyone's talking about a homebrewed garage door opener, just a hacked garage door opener remote. It would almost certainly be physically and electrically isolated from the actual UL-tested opener.
If you're doing homebrew, a pretty easy and effective solution to the "state" problem is point a camera at the door. That also gives you better (remote) situational awareness when the door is going to close than any commercial solution on the market (though I haven't actually checked what's available in 10 years).
I actually built a IOT garage door remote about 10 years ago (I got the hardware working, but lost steam with the control software beyond running commands over ssh). The effort I spent to directly sense the door state was a waste. You've got a good solution with a Raspberry Pi, an off-the-shelf remote, a reed relay wired to one of the buttons, and a webcam.
But ultimately, the best and cheapest solution is neighbors who will help you.