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Basically wanting to start off with by controlling garage door through Internet and then add things like smart lights and door alarms over time. I just heard about Z-Wave and Google Weave on this site - they might be of some help. Also wanting to be able to see if the garage door is currently open or not in addition to being able to open or close it.

I have a Craftsman 41a5507-5 garage door opener - need to find out how/if it is possible to send signals to that opener without it's remote. Or do you need to buy a special garage door opener?

Some direction would be appreciated.

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  • 6
    Can you add information about the door opener, model and version for starters?
    – Helmar ♦
    Jan 7, 2017 at 4:59
  • 2
    Some of them supports Wi-Fi Smart Connect, and this one supports control from smartphone.
    – Bence Kaulics
    Jan 7, 2017 at 9:02
  • @Helmar, updated question with the model number
    – strider
    Jan 9, 2017 at 5:12
  • Please provide link to Craftsman 41a5507-5
    – Amit Vujic
    Sep 13, 2017 at 1:06
  • I control my garage door with a "replacement" remote control bought from China. The remote is connected to a ESP8266 and I can then control it using a wall mounted button/switch or by phone using MQTT Dash. See the whole project here: My blog....
    – Jimmy Westberg
    Oct 9, 2017 at 8:32

3 Answers 3

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You could use an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi with a Bluetooth module. They could connect with your Smartphone through Bluetooth LE. Then, when the Arduino/Raspberry Pi sense your Smartphone or Smartphones with the correct code/id, which you have to register in the Arduino/Raspberry Pi previously, the door can open automatically.

Another possibility is to use Wi-Fi. In this case, you must have active the Wi-Fi always and you wait until the Smartphone connects to your Wi-Fi.

In the Arduino/Raspberry Pi you could register the frequency of the door controller to open and close the door or you could directly to the door motor to open and close the door directly. In this case you do not need a special door for your garage.

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Sears sells the "AssureLink Garage Door Opener Smart Phone kit" that works with virtually all Craftsman door openers made since 1998 (older openers lack modern safety features.) It includes a replacement for your old wall-mounted push-button, and a "gateway" you connect to your router. Once installed, you can use their phone app to check or operate your garage door from anywhere.

Because garage doors have both safety and security aspects, I recommend you consider a commercial product that addresses these concerns. For example, the replacement button includes a warning beeper that sounds for 15 seconds before closing the door when closed by the app, in case you are not present to warn people to get out of the way.

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  • That is a good point and thanks for the recommendation @JohnDeters. But what I'm hoping for is one interface/view for all Internet-connected devices. For example, I'm hoping to be able to see on my phone if the garage door is currently open or not (for times when you are not sure if you closed it); updated the question to reflect this. Hence mentioned Z-wave and Google Weave hoping they would alleviate some of the security concerns that come with building your own solution.
    – strider
    Jan 9, 2017 at 5:19
  • Yes, there are aftermarket native Z-Wave garage door openers (a Google search will take you to them), but they won't report on status without adding an extra Z-Wave garage door sensor, too. But you don't have to restrict yourself to those. Depending on your home automation controller, it may have plug-ins that can interface to the cloud-based devices. I use a Vera home controller for my Z-Wave devices, and use the MyQ plugin to talk to my AssureLink gateway. This allows my Vera to display the status of my garage door, and gives me full control over it, just like any other device in the house.
    – John Deters
    Jan 9, 2017 at 15:16
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Weeeell, you could just strap an existing door opener somewhere in signal range and connect it an IoT device. That would probably require some wiring on your part, are you comfortable with that?

I think that the answer to this question and many similar (like this one) is going to be the same: if you are happy with soldering & electronics, make your own. You might get some help at Hardware Recommendations or Electrical Engineering.

Otherwise, (and, probably, even if if you are a hardware guru) it is better to start from scratch.

I won't bother to Google and post any of the many solutions which are available.

Although this app says that it will work with your Android 'phone and Craftsman garage door.

Download the Craftsman Smart Garage Door Opener app for your Craftsman Smart Garage Door Opener. Can’t remember if you closed your garage door? No worries…Confidently use the Craftsman Garage Door app to monitor or check if your garage door is open and then close it if necessary. Convenience. Security. Peace of mind. Works with Craftsman Smart Garage Door Openers. See Craftsman.com for details.

With the Craftsman Smart Garage Door Opener app, you can: Stay connected even when you are thousands of miles away.

• Control - Open and close your garage door with smart device
• Security - Check and open or close your garage door
• Peace of Mind - Never worry if you forgot to close your garage door
• Convenience - Open your garage door for family, friends, deliveries and more
• Turn on / off lights - Requires Craftsman Plug-in-Light Control (sold separately / not included with Craftsman Smart Garage Door Openers)
• Program your garage door to automatically close on a set schedule • Program your lights to automatically turn on/off on a set schedule
Works with both Craftsman Smart Garage Door Opener products and Craftsman AssureLink™ Garage Door Opener products.

Despite that, if you are in it for the long haul, I would suggest that you look for a very flexible solution. Consider what else you might want to corporate into a smart home, and look for a solution which you can grow over time to handle all of it.

Don't just look for a solution for your currnet garage door; look for something that covers you entire home, possibly your vehicle(s), anything else? Elderly relieves ...?

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