On 9/28/2015 5:46 PM, wrote:
On Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:57:45 -0700, Don Y
wrote:

On 9/28/2015 3:07 PM, wrote:

I plan to install a momentary switch in one of the empty "knockouts" in
the car dash wired to the opener's xmtr with the "receiver" connected
to a light to illuminate the driveway. So, when backing into the
garage, at night, we'll be able to *see* the driveway (instead of
relying on the feeble backup lights on the car)

It is more complicated than that on the one I have. There is a slotted
wheel optical emitter that monitors motor movement and shuts it down
if it is not seeing pulses at the expected rate.

It is easier to just buy a separate GDO receiver. I got one on Ebay
for $10 or so, to use as the portable "next" button on my tiki bar MP3
player.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/next%20button.jpg

That picks a relay and makes the appropriate key on the keyboard card
that runs this

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/judybar.jpg

The whole thing runs on a PC using MPXPLAY a DOS application in DOXBOX
a W/XP application.

For your application, why not just add more lights to the light in the
opener?

Don't want lights going on just because the door is opened.
Consider daylight. Also, want to be able to light up the
driveway when the door is NOT being opened.

I figure I can add a switch in a dashboard knockout in the one car
with the old "remote" unit, program one of the extra "HomeLink" remote
buttons in the other car and wire a pushbutton to the "manual
open" contacts for a "wall switch" just inside the garage door.

My wife wants me to install "chase lights" in her dad's driveway
hooked to his opener.

I want to build a Cylon visor (that's actually functional as sunglasses)
along the same lines! Would be wicked cool at night!

You are better off simply finding a stand alone receiver. They usually
run on 24vac and it is easy to find relays they will pick.

Then I would have to find a matching transmitter "remote" for "the one
car"...
I figure I can add a switch in a dashboard knockout in THE ONE CAR
with the old "remote" unit,

A lot of newer cars already have the "remote" built in.
My wife's Lincoln will run up to 3 different doors.

.... and, for "the other car"
program one of the extra "HomeLink" remote buttons in THE OTHER CAR

Then, still need a manual means of turning the lights on when *not*
in EITHER car:
and wire a pushbutton to the "manual open" contacts for a "wall switch"
just inside the garage door.

The receiver unit from the old door opener -- along with the matching
"remote" -- solves all of these problems, as is.

When we had the "car hoppers" here (thieves) I built something similar
to what you want. I had almost 1000 wats of spotlights connected to a
2440 SSR that was tripped with a GDO receiver. The transmitter had a
little 12v relay in it, connected to the dome light of my car.
They caught the crooks before they came back here.

That would light you up.

Cars are garaged. The *driveway* is the thing that wants to be
illuminated (to improve visibility when backing in as well as
when we're STANDING out there -- with the cars in the garage)