The reason you can add the wires to the PB input without worrying about voltage differences or polarity of the wires is that the terminals are just shorted together when you press your garage door button. And the Z-Wave garage door controller just mimics this - it closes the contacts. There is no voltage input into your garage door controller, so you don't need to worry whether the Z-Wave controller is compatible with your model garage door controller. This had me confused until I realized what was happening. And if I had realized this I wouldn't have mounted the Z-Wave controller on the ceiling of my garage! I would have just mounted it on the wall next to my door to the kitchen where the button is! Much easier install - just connect the wires to the button's contacts - works just the same!!!
This is a great idea!!! However, I think the basis for installing them above the head unit/opener, is that there's already a plug there to begin with, and it will look cleaner overall installed on the mounting rails keeping it away from the button area/wall. At least, that's how I look at it and why I'll install mine above my opener.
I have this in house I purchased, but there's no module box anywhere in garage. Can this be purchased separately? This house had att alarm system, would it be contained in that brain box?
Do the physical remotes that were part of the original system still work? Or do they no longer function after installing this? I’m very interested in installing this, but don’t want to lose the functionality of using our car remotes.
Does anyone know if it detects the lock function on most garage doors? So if you use the lock function on the garage door keypad will that stop the unit from opening the door remotely? I was thinking about getting it but sometimes we have pets in the garage, I need to know if I can lock it from the keypad and block the connection as we do with the standard garage remotes.
The keypad lock on my Genie brand controller did block the Linear zwave device. The system reported 2 errors: (1) the command failed, and (2) that something was blocking the door.
I installed this and it's connected to my hub but when I use it I get the 10 seconds of beeping but then nothing happens. The app gives me an error saying "Obstruction" but the door button still works fine. Any suggestions?
Tim, we're sorry to hear that your Z-Wave Garage Door controller isn't working as expected. The best thing to do is contact your local alarm provider that installed the system.
Thanks for posting this. Really helped.
Is the Z-Wave module (738z) something you typically have to buy separate or does it come in most kits? What exactly does it do?
@Alphanso Llewellyn - any Z-wave supported product will work with smartthings hub
The reason you can add the wires to the PB input without worrying about voltage differences or polarity of the wires is that the terminals are just shorted together when you press your garage door button. And the Z-Wave garage door controller just mimics this - it closes the contacts. There is no voltage input into your garage door controller, so you don't need to worry whether the Z-Wave controller is compatible with your model garage door controller. This had me confused until I realized what was happening. And if I had realized this I wouldn't have mounted the Z-Wave controller on the ceiling of my garage! I would have just mounted it on the wall next to my door to the kitchen where the button is! Much easier install - just connect the wires to the button's contacts - works just the same!!!
Mark Hannah thanks for this...
This is a great idea!!! However, I think the basis for installing them above the head unit/opener, is that there's already a plug there to begin with, and it will look cleaner overall installed on the mounting rails keeping it away from the button area/wall. At least, that's how I look at it and why I'll install mine above my opener.
Is there a way to turn on the 5 second alarm? If not I will purchase a NEXX Garage.
I have this in house I purchased, but there's no module box anywhere in garage. Can this be purchased separately? This house had att alarm system, would it be contained in that brain box?
The resistance is too high and my opener sees it as a short so it opens/closes as soon as i land the wires on my opener..
Has anyone been able to get this to work with Google home or Alexia?
How does the battery in the tilt sensor stand up to cold weather applications?
It worked fine for me last winter here in Calgary, down to minus 26 Celsius
Do the physical remotes that were part of the original system still work? Or do they no longer function after installing this? I’m very interested in installing this, but don’t want to lose the functionality of using our car remotes.
Yeah they'll work. This is basically just an additional button that's digitized.
Does anyone know if it detects the lock function on most garage doors? So if you use the lock function on the garage door keypad will that stop the unit from opening the door remotely? I was thinking about getting it but sometimes we have pets in the garage, I need to know if I can lock it from the keypad and block the connection as we do with the standard garage remotes.
The keypad lock on my Genie brand controller did block the Linear zwave device. The system reported 2 errors: (1) the command failed, and (2) that something was blocking the door.
Will this work with a Ring Alarm System? Since it also uses Z-wave
looking for the same answer
does this controller work with Samsung smartthings hub
Yes it does. I just installed it this weekend. Working great so far.
thanky oyou!
I installed this and it's connected to my hub but when I use it I get the 10 seconds of beeping but then nothing happens. The app gives me an error saying "Obstruction" but the door button still works fine. Any suggestions?
Tim, we're sorry to hear that your Z-Wave Garage Door controller isn't working as expected. The best thing to do is contact your local alarm provider that installed the system.
Does it work without the Tilt Sensor? I sold my house and forgot to remove it.