Garage door opener interference from cameras

[steve457]

I recently started to notice that the range of our garage door opener was becoming less and less. Whereas before I could open the garage door from the end of the driveway, I now had to be right up close to the door in one of our cars. The opener in our other vehicle stopped working altogether and only now works from inside the garage. I realized today that the decrease in garage door opener range coincides with my camera installs. Sure enough, I unplugged the cameras around and inside the garage and the range of the opener returned to how it was before.

I did a search, but did not see anyone mention this problem before. Surely I cannot be the first to experience the issue, can I? All my cameras are Hikvision 4mp Turrets and are powered by POE. My garage door opener is an older model and operates on the 315Mhz frequency. I'm wondering why others haven't run into the same problem with cameras around the garage/driveway. Perhaps a new garage door opener would help?

 

[ewtaylo]

I don't have an answer, but I can tell you I am experiencing the same issue with my wireless gate opener. The range of the transmitters built into my two vehicles is very short once I installed a camera that overlooks the gate. The actual clickers that run the gate seem unaffected.

My theory is that it isthe power brick I am using because it is plugged in right next to the receiver for the wireless gate module. I am going to try other 12v power supplies and see if the issue changes.

 

[nayr]

try grounding your cameras or use shielded cable that provides camera with a ground, and shields from RF interference..

you could try putting a choke around the ethernet cable, it could help if you have one running across the garage.

If its an old opener, upgrade it.. get something that at least resembles security as all those old ones been long hacked.. but make sure its not on same frequency as you know thats polluted.. but many of the newer ones might be frequency hopping ones that can avoid interference too.. calls for further research.

Personally mine open and closes via app on wifi/3g, unlimited range and I dont leave my phone in my car clipped to my visor 24/7/365.. basically keys to your house waiting to be snatched, with your address conveniently in the glovebox.. this way you keep your existing opener, clip off the antenna and hook up the door button to a smart app (not nessicary in that order, make sure it works first).. if you get one with a sensor on the door it will just auto close so u never worry if you left it open.

 

[ewtaylo]

I purchased a few ferrite chokes and put them on the ethernet cable and around the power supply. Still no luck, the range of the signal to open the door is much impaired. I just got done running an experiment where I left the power supply plugged in but I unplugged it from the camera. At that point everything worked as expected. I am beginning to believe that the issue is in the camera that I purchased. It is a wireless camera 2.4ghz.

If I use the original gate opener (300 MHz) everything is fine. If I use the remote that is built into my car then it does not work.

Nayr, is there some sort of internet of things adapter for use on old openers that allows you to use your phone instead of the original remote? What are they called?

 

[nayr]

here's an off the shelf standalone one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAD65UW?keywords=garage door opener app&qid=1457218688&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

there are other ones that hookup to an automation controller that would cost about the same to get started..

 

[Zorac]

Nayr, is there some sort of internet of things adapter for use on old openers that allows you to use your phone instead of the original remote? What are they called?

if you are a tinkerer, you could do it with your favorite SOC like a raspberrypi or arduino.

 

[nayr]

yeah its easy as hell with an ethernet connected SOC, presuming your comfortable with that stuff, just wire a contact switch to the garage door and a relay output to the button near your door.. it'll know if its open/closed and have the capability to change that.. could be done for under $30

 

[steve457]

I have some ferite chokes on the way and am going to give it a try. My cameras do not have wireless, so hopefully the chokes end up doing the trick. I already have access to my garage door via my phone, but would rather just hit a button in my car than fumble with my phone when approaching or leaving the house.

 

[Kawboy12R]

@ewtaylo take a look at this one- https://bluemate.com/

They're only fifty bucks and work with just about everything. They're Bluetooth, which has some possible security advantages but you won't be able to open your door for someone from Bermuda while you're on vacation. Should work fine for a gate if it opens from a momentary connection like most garage doors.

 

[Ssayer]

@ewtaylo take a look at this one- https://bluemate.com/

They're only fifty bucks and work with just about everything. They're Bluetooth, which has some possible security advantages but you won't be able to open your door for someone from Bermuda while you're on vacation. Should work fine for a gate if it opens from a momentary connection like most garage doors.

I have a cam in my garage, so I can see my doors in BI. That said, for ten bucks more, you could open (or close, of course) them from Bermuda with this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N1N18G8

 

[nayr]

@steve457, do you have the built in garage door openers in your car that only work when the key is in the ignition? Those are the only ones I'd rather have in my car if given a choice, the dumb ones that clip to your visor will just get your windows smashed in so they can get a key to your house.. they dont even have to do it in your driveway since you have an insurance card with your address in the glovebox.

I sold my Audi and lost the HomeLink garage opener built into it, now we just use our phones because those at least require a key to open and can be remotely erased.. yeah we sit in the driveway for a moment unlocking our phone and hitting the button, but it does close automatically so we only have to do that one way.. I have a GeoFence app that prevents my phone from locking when its connected to my car's bluetooth, so that helps a lil bit.

 

[steve457]

Yes, we have the Homelink openers that are built into the car. I actually do not have any address information in our vehicles. I keep the insurance card in my wallet and the DMV registration is a copy with my address blocked out. So even if someone were to steal the car, they would not find any address information in the vehicle.

 

[Kawboy12R]

Nice idea with blocking out the address but it might cause problems the next time you're pulled over by an unfriendly cop. Explaining why you did it might help but you never know.

 

[hiky]

Interesting to read you guys have to carry details when you drive, i guess it depends on what State you live in ? Here in the Uk we have to carry nothing, our vehicle registrations, Tax information, Insurance details and MOT are kept in a place called DVLA on computer which the Police have instant access too, they then set up road side vehicles with cameras strategically placed ( or hidden ) though they deny it, and they just let the cameras watch while the plod sits inside drinking Tea and eating Dominos Pizzas

 

[nayr]

every state in the US requires you to carry proof of insurance, checking registration seems to be regional.. where I grew up in KS they always asked for registration, but here in colorado they always told me they didnt need it as they already checked it before pulling me over.. likely only because I have local plates, if they pulled me over with out of state plates I suspect the'd demand a copy of the registration also.

Every state ive been pulled over in has asked me for insurance card, and will ticket you if you dont have it or its expired.. the'll drop the ticket if you mail a copy of insurance in after the fact but its a massive hassle.

If my wife didnt wash my wallet a few times a year I might consider putting my insurance/registrations in there also, but most paper is lucky to last 6months in my wallet before it disintegrates.

 

[Ssayer]

Every state ive been pulled over in has asked me for insurance card, and ...

Man, you're making me feel unloved, I haven't been pulled over since 1975!

 

[nayr]

just slap some Colorado plates on and drive around the country, espicaly the midwest, they dont call our plates the 'Green Badge of Courage' for nothing..

then put those plates on a Volkswagen and grow some dreadlocks, you wont stand a fucking chance.. dont matter how good you drive

I can totally relate to the Driving while Black problem, while I can cut off my dreadlocks and drive a cammary to avoid alot of this, I cant change my license plates.. tho I did pay extra to get custom plates that share none of the same colors as the standard plates... that along with some really dark window tint has helped a lil bit.

 

[digger11]

@nayr have you noticed that the CO registration now has one copy that doesn't have the address printed on it? Apparently the DMV finally clued in.

 

[nayr]

no i hadn't, I'll have to look at that... I was pretty miffed when I moved here they would not let me register my DL to a POBox like I could in KS.. if thats the case I could probably change my insurance over to my PO Box and tha'd help alot.. I'd keep it in my wallet but my wife washes my wallet a few times a year and any paper ID would disintegrate before I needed it.

 

[Kawboy12R]

Laminators are cheaper than replacing paperwork.