Motofx Motorcycle Remote Garage Door Opener
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By Russ Ackley for
webBikeWorld
The Motofx remote garage door opener
is specifically designed for
use on small vehicles with 12 volt electrical systems, including motorcycles. The product is available from Motofx;
it costs $74.95 (plus shipping); and it works with most modern garage
door openers (see compatibility list below).
It activates by pressing the "flash to pass"
switch on the
Triumph's clutch side switch cluster; it will also operate if the bike's
headlights are toggled from dim to bright or vice versa.
The opener remote is only active when the motorcycle key switch is
on. There is no chance of battery drain because the remote is only
on when the bike's headlights are on.
If for some reason the headlight fuse happens to blow, the opener will
not operate until the fuse is replaced.
Instructions for programming the remote
are included with the unit. Basically, dip switches inside the Motofx
remote are set to match the switches in either your garage door opener or in the optional receiver (if your home has a newer opener with
random code operation, you will need to purchase the separate
receiver). The package containing the basic remote has a compatibility
listing on the back (see below).
If you have a newer opener which does not
have a single set code you will need to purchase and install a receiver
from Motofx. Use the instructions included with your transmitter and
receiver to set up these items.
Tests of the unit installed in the
accompanying photos have shown the unit to work as much as 150 feet or
roughly two houses away from the garage in an average suburban
neighborhood. When you leave your garage, after closing the garage
door you need to remember NOT to change your headlight setting until you
are well away from your house, as it is possible for the remote to be
triggered as you ride away although my tests seem to indicate the unit
has less range when not pointed toward the receiver.
Happy Motoring!
Russ Ackley The Triumph Sprint ST is typical of the
modern Triumph line of bikes utilizing dual headlamps and a
"flash-to-pass" button. The following instructions are meant as a guide
only; your installation may vary.
Collect all the bits and pieces required
for your installation. You will need a #2 Philips head screwdriver, a
very small flat blade screwdriver, needle nose pliers, a pencil-type
soldering iron and low temperature solder. Side cutting pliers may also
come in handy.
CAUTION!! Turn off all electrical power
to the garage door opener until you are finished with the receiver
hook-up.
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splicing and installing your Motofx unit on your bike!
Purchase Posi-Lock connectors through the wBW link and
get a discount, help support the site and donate to
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The
Motofx unit operates by pressing the "flash-to-pass"
switch or by toggling the bike's headlights from low to high beam. |
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To
install the unit, the dip switches must first be set the same in
both the transmitter and the receiver if the receiver is used. A typical
receiver installation is shown below.
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Note that there is no provision
for hard wiring the receiver to the garage electrical system. You must
use a non-switch controlled wall socket (outlet always hot). Sufficient
wire is provided so that you may use an outlet as far as ~10 feet away
from the opener itself. |
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Attach the wires from the receiver to the
garage door opener wall switch connections per the instructions included
with your new remote. This particular opener is a Genie.
The receiver
wires go on connections #1 & #2 in this installation. I put the
solid colored wire from the receiver with the solid colored wire from
the opener switch on connection #1; the wires with 2 colors on
connection #2. Your installation may vary.
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That completes the receiver installation.
You may restore power to the opener at this point. Now for the fun part!
Park the bike in a well lighted area
using the centerstand. You will probably need an extension cord for what
comes next. Remove the left side fairing and set it aside.
This will
give you access to the left hand headlamp plug. Take care not to lose
any of the cap screws or clip nuts from the fairing!
Remove the electrical plug from the
headlamp by pulling back firmly. Using a small flat bladed screwdriver
remove the (black) ground wire socket from the plug assembly by inserting
the screwdriver blade from the front side of the plug into the small
notch while holding the plug body and pulling the socket from the rear
with needle nose pliers. An eyeglass screwdriver with a narrow thin
blade works well for this.
Take care not to break anything!
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Using a small soldering iron and low temp
solder (available at Radio Shack) attach the brown wire from the remote
opener harness to the black headlight wire.
HINT: Use an alligator clip
to hold the wires onto the sockets while soldering. Take care not to
touch anything else with the hot iron!
Reinstall the socket just
soldered and remove the center (top) socket. Attach the red AND the blue
wires from the opener remote to the purple wire (shown above); reinstall
that socket and go to the next.
Attach the green wire from the remote to
the blue wire. When you have all the connections soldered, attach the
transmitter to the harness, turn on the motorcycle key (headlight power
must be on but you may leave the plug you just soldered unconnected to
the headlight for the test) and test cycle your garage door.
If
everything works well, proceed. If the opener does not operate go back
and check to insure that you have turned the opener power back on and
all connections you have made are secure.
Note that there will be a 2-3
second lag time between the time you flash your lights and when the
opener actually starts. The opener is also triggered if you toggle from
low beam to high or vice versa. Remove the transmitter while you tidy up
the installation.
If you are not comfortable trying to
solder these connections you can use clip-on splices (also available at
Radio Shack) however these will cause minor damage to the insulation on
the bikes harness and also will require that you remove some of the
harness wrapping from the headlight harness. The finished plug assembly
with the transmitter wires soldered on is shown below.
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Reinstall the plug on the headlight. Coil
and stow the excess harness length from the transmitter. Plug in the
transmitter and mount it with tie-wraps in an area protected from excess
moisture.
Reinstall the fairing and go riding! Don't forget to leave
your old garage door remote at home!
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This
is the completed installation. |
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Motofx
Garage Door Compatibility Table
Note:
Smart Button, Learning Code, Intellicode, odd frequencies
and brands require the Receiver, which costs $25. |
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