[FlyingJoe]

I have the upgraded rear-view mirror with the 3 programmable home buttons for garage door openers, but have no garage, hence no garage door and, finally, no garage door opener.

Now I can't be the only one here with this unused bounty waiting for an exciting application. Is there some cool ideas out there on alternative uses?

Here's what I got so far...
Maybe I can change the channels on my TV from outside? Turn on the Tickle Me Elmo doll? Interfere with my annoying neighbour's satellite TV system? Operate a remote-controlled toy car (maybe a mini-Prius diecast model)?

I need workable ideas here... I'll take any help on this.

 

[tleonhar]

Homelink is compatable with the X10 (http://www.x10.com), they have an interface that will send signals down the power line to modules for controlling lights etc.

 

[mrv]

When we got our 2004 BC Prius, we didn't have a garage door either. We tried programming the X10 features in (we had two lamps on remote, so that if we forgot to turn them off when we went to a different floor, we could use the remote rather than do the stairs again...), but the X10 codes never worked. (maybe we just needed a different remote kit) The first thing we did program was my husband's mother's garage door. This way, we can get into her house in an emergency, and we can open the garage door to let her know that we've arrived (as she doesn't hear the car in the driveway).

We've since bought a new house, which has a garage, so now all 3 remote buttons are programmed, but only 1 gets regular use...

 

[FlyingJoe]

We've since bought a new house, which has a garage, so now all 3 remote buttons are programmed, but only 1 gets regular use...

So you're telling me to buy a new house WITH a garage, or at least get a mother-in-law with one... Hmmm. I might be able to swing the latter. :wink:

 

[melgish]

I use mine to control my wife's cat... works about as well as anything else I've tried

 

[FatSal]

One interesting thing that you might not know you can do.

I have all three home link buttons programmed for my three garage doors. But I also have one button programmed to open my parents garage door.

In my case I just programmed the system normally for my house and then went to my parents house and pressed the learn button on their garage door opener (not the remote). As the light on the opener was blinking, I pressed the Homelink button in the Prius. The two linked and now one button opens two doors.

Works great.

 

[mikepaul]

The Firecracker bundle from X10 has the main receiver which hears the car's signal, and another lamp unit. I needed the reciever close to the car, and it forwards the on/off request to the light in my front room.

Oddly, if I use the switch on the lamp it sometimes makes the X10 unit stop working until I merely touch the lamp and then it works again. Must have something to do with the ability to turn the lamp on and off without using the X10 unit at all, since at first I thought the lamp had no power without it being X10-ed on...

 

[Thomme]

Button #2: Drops protective force field around La Casa Thomme
Button #3: Engages tractor beam.

 

[Astrowoman]

Button #2: Drops protective force field around La Casa Thomme
Button #3: Engages tractor beam.

Oooh, how did you install the tractor beam? Some drivers on the freeways are just crying out for the use of one....

 

[efusco]

It's a good way to install a hidden EV button. There are modules made (I'd have to look up the source) that are remote controlled momentary switches. You install the switch behind the dash and trigger it with the button on the mirror.

 

[tleonhar]

Button #2: Drops protective force field around La Casa Thomme
Button #3: Engages tractor beam.

Oooh, how did you install the tractor beam? Some drivers on the freeways are just crying out for the use of one....

I think it goes behind the tow ring plug in the bumper. Not sure but I think John1701a is the local tractor beam expert

 

[melgish]

I think it goes behind the tow ring plug in the bumper. Not sure but I think John1701a is the local tractor beam expert

Don't be silly...Everyone knows the Tractor Beam is the Beam the Tractors do gymnastics on at the Farm Olympics

 

[tleonhar]

DOUUU!

How could I have forgotton! And to think I grew up on a farm too yet!

(of course that's making the rash assumptions that I actually did grow up)

 

[GreyMud]

We've since bought a new house, which has a garage, so now all 3 remote buttons are programmed, but only 1 gets regular use...

So you're telling me to buy a new house WITH a garage, or at least get a mother-in-law with one... Hmmm. I might be able to swing the latter. :wink:

You don't need the whole garage, just the door opener.