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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Additional Garage Lights

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Ryan - WI

01-15-2006 19:12:41




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My current garage door opener has a single bulb on it that comes on when the opener functions and then stays on for a while. The problem is that the amount of light it gives off is pretty dim. I want to wire in my other garage lights so that when the door opens the entire garage lights up. I know that I can wire the opener bulb to activate a relay and use that to power other lights (thus not overloading the opener circuit) What I can not figure out though is if there is any way I can use the existing lights (which are wired on a 3 way switch) rather than having to use dedicated lights. Any thoughts?

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VinnieNC

01-17-2006 08:42:59




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
Check with Smarthomes.com They sell a module, can't remember their name for it, that is designed for things like this. If I remember correctly, it is a relay that takes various types of inputs such as closed contacts, 120 VAC, etc and sends a signal through the household wiring to another module or switch, depending on what you are trying to control. You might be able to replace one of your existing 3 way switches with their version so that you could control the lights locally or with the module connected to the opener. Or, as others have mentioned, you could have a separate light, solely controlled by the opener and plug it in wherever it is convenient.

-Vinnie

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Kendall

01-16-2006 09:49:08




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
Keep it simple. I did same thing as Bguy, except used inexpensive clamp on shop light plugged in and clamped to stragic location.



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Kendall

01-16-2006 09:53:19




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Kendall, 01-16-2006 09:49:08  
I say, thats actually spelled strategic



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Bguy

01-16-2006 07:42:43




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
I put a screw in plug receptacle in where the bulb goes on the door opener and hung up a four foot, two bulb fluorescent light fixture. The screw in plug receptacle also allowed me to put the orignal bulb back in. I set it up like this when I moved in in 1988 and I have not had any problem with it. It really helps when everybody is getting out of the car trying to find their way upstairs. The whole thing comes on and goes off like it"s supposed to.

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buickanddeere

01-16-2006 13:58:43




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Bguy, 01-16-2006 07:42:43  
How did you run a chassis ground wire to the fluorescent fixture from a two prong plug?



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Bguy

01-16-2006 20:53:01




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to buickanddeere, 01-16-2006 13:58:43  
I don"t remember the details, it"s been 17 or 18 years ago.



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Gene-WI

01-16-2006 06:59:52




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
Maybe I'm way off base here, but I'm thinking that I would wire another switch into the existing garage lights and have it so when the door comes up it contacts the switch and turns the lights on, could be some kind of an adjustable push button switch. Maybe??



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RandyBee

01-16-2006 06:53:14




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
Paul is right. You can have a relay just bypass both switches. He is right, when the relay is on there will be no easy way to tell if the switches are on or off unless you add a 3rd light (could be low power or red light) that is never bypassed and still controlled by switch. Remember to keep opener power seperate from light power or risk a chance of short or backfeeding a circuit.



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JerryU

01-16-2006 03:59:17




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
I had trouble with bulbs burning out and not enough light, although I did not want to light up whole barn. I screwed in a two prong plug adapter into one of the bulb outlets.

I mounted a box with a standard canopy that accepts a standard bulb, wired in an extension cord and plugged it into the opener. On the canopy, I screwed in a siamese adapater that will accommodate two bulbs. I got two of the largest spiral compact flourescent bulbs I could find--I think they are equivalent to about a 150 watt incandescent and put them in. I throws off plenty of light, saves energy, doesn't burn out because of vibration, and they do fire when it is cold.

JU

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Paul Janke

01-15-2006 20:26:06




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
You could probably figure out how to use the relay to light the existing lights by energizing the wire for the lights downline from the two switches now in the circuit. The main problem I see is that you would not be able to tell if the lights were on before the door opened and therefore they might end up being unintentionally left on after the door is closed and you leave because they had been on before the door was opened. Only solution which comes to mind right away is to know which way the switches are when the light is off when the door is not activating them. With three way switches the light will always be the same with both switches up as it will with both switches down. That may be either off or on depending on which way the switches were put in the boxes. Turning either one upside down from what it now is will reverse the setup. Sorry if this sounds confusing. Somebody else can probably explain it better.

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jeffcat

01-15-2006 20:14:51




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 Re: Additional Garage Lights in reply to Ryan - WI, 01-15-2006 19:12:41  
I would keep it simple. You have the right idea with the relay but leave your shop lites out of it. Put a corner flood up and use that. Door opens and on goes the flood. Plenty of light and easy to do. You can walk over and throw on the shop lights if you want. Kiss has been a life saver tooooo many times. Have fun. Jeffcat



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