Hey everyone! I'm in need of some clever solutions to remotely open my apartment's garage door before I get there. The setup is pretty basic: there's no physical button or remote, it works by interrupting a laser beam that activates the door as the car approaches. Right now, I'm driving a manual car, and since the garage exit is on a hill, it's a hassle to stop, wait for the door to open, and then start again—it's quite a clutch workout! Plus, there are two doors in sequence, so I have to do this twice.
I'm looking for a remote device that can temporarily block the laser beam, and then automatically return to its original position. Here are some requirements I have:
- Should be small and inconspicuous
- Must operate on its own (no soldering required, battery-powered as there's no plug available)
- Ideally should cost around $30 or less
If anyone's tackled a similar issue or has suggestions for off-the-shelf gadgets or DIY solutions, I'd love to hear them! I'm not technically savvy, so something easy to use would be ideal. Thanks!
3 Answers
Have you considered using a long stick with duct tape to attach a piece of cardboard? It's simple and might just do the job. Alternatively, if you're feeling a bit techy, you could grab a small Arduino Nano, a tiny motor, a battery, and set it up to work with your phone. It could block the laser when you're in range, then retract when you’re not! Might need some basic coding for that, though.
Before jumping into a DIY solution, be cautious! You wouldn’t want to break your lease or face any legal issues from your landlord. Training yourself to navigate the hill smoothly might also help, but I get that's tough with a manual transmission. Just be careful overall!
How high is the laser above the ground? That could help narrow down what kind of solutions will work best for you.
It's about 2 feet off the ground, so it’s pretty low. That might help with some of the simpler gadget ideas!
Thanks for the heads up! I'll definitely keep that in mind. The car I've got actually manages the clutch automatically in these situations, so my control is limited. Just looking for a simple device to help with the laser beam.