Question:
I want to install an outside key pad for my electric garage door
opener. My opener was made by "Overhead" in case that matters.
I've looked at my local Home Depot but I did not see anything
that would work. any info?
Answer:
Consider getting a new outboard garage door receiver (e.g. Genie Intelicode)
if your garage door opener is older, and either you can't get a compatible
keypad or it uses a fixed security code (rather than using a rotating code).
It's just too easy for a crook to clone a fixed code. I know Genie sells a
wireless keypad compatible with their Intelicode devices through the home
centers. Their keypad supports two different PINs which is nice if you have
service people who need access to your house.
Regarding the number of digits for PINs, I wouldn't get too hung-up unless
the keypad uses less than 4 digits. Even a 4 digit PIN gives 10,000
possible combinations. I'd imagine breaking a window or kicking in a door
becomes an attractive alternative to a potential perpetrator way before the
intruder tries to systematically discover a 4 digit pin code.
The Home Depot by me has a "universal" outside key pad. I
believe it is made by Genie? It has its own power supply
and connects up like a manual push button switch to your
existing garage door opener.
The keypad goes outside, and you route a flat ribbon cable
under the door-stop trim on the side of your garage door
to the inside unit which houses the actual electronics.
I like this particular unit because it allows a nice long
code. All the others I have seen (like at Sears) uses only
a very short 4-digit code. Personally, I am use a 10-digit
code which, believe it or not, is very easy for me to remember
