DIY Use garage door sensors to notify when someone is at your door.

Question

Hey, I wanted to make a way to know if someone has entered my driveway without me buying anything new. I have a couple of garage door sensors (the kid that line up (line of sight) and open the door if it is closing and somthing is in the way of the line of sight); I also have a doorbell that am not using (it is a wired kind). I don't know anything about circuits and stuff, but if it is possible could someone please send me a link or provide instructions. I basically want to know if I can have th doorbell ring when the sensors are passed. It doesn't seem so hard if you are skilled and seems practical to me. If it isn't possible, thanks anyways.

Answer 1

Um i don't think that's possible...

other then that go to lowe's if you live in the US and ask there... or go to

http://www.diynetwork.com/ and see if they have anything there, they have a lot of great stuff so you may find a alternate way

Answer 2

You could definitely use your sensors and your bell. On the sensors you have a supply that should be marked on the inside where you connect it with a + and - or L and N. The power will go there. If you want to make sure of the voltage you can look on the back, there should be a sticker that tells you. Then there should be a signal or contact connection. They show it with little lines that meet or not. This is the output of the relay. You just need to know that it is a switch and it closes and opens as the sensor switches on and off. You will then use this switch instead of the doorbell switch and run the wires to the sensor and connect it on the relay connection. There should only be a few possibilities so you can change the wires around if it doesn't work. If you can't figure out the power connection then check both sensors and the common connections will be the power and the one with extra connections will be the receiver and the contacts will act as your doorbell switch.  

Answer 3

AS long as you have a power source to operate the sensors you should be able to make it work.Just play around with it until you get it to work..

Answer 4

Problem:

1) Door bells are usually 12VAC

2) Garage door control circuits are usually 12VDC

The two do not work with each other. It can be done but you need to buy a relay, 2 power sources (one 12VDC and 1 12VAC), plus wire etc.  

Answer 5

Be careful with this: my old neighbour set up a motion sensor like this (using approved equipment, attached to an alarm). He forgot that birds and even large insects can trip a motion sensor.

Boy was that a fun night. WHOOOP WHOOOP WHOOOP every five minutes.