on 1/07/2012, Puckdropper supposed :
> "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in news:97d31$4fef8044
> [email protected]:
>
>>
>> Man - as many people as seem to have difficulty pulling a car into a
>> garage - ought to just leave their vehicles out in the driveway.
>>
>
> It depends on what your tolerances are... I had little trouble pulling
> cars into the garage the few times I've done it, because my tolerances are
> a couple feet in both directions. Some people have barely enough room for
> the garage door to shut.
>
> Puckdropper
You must have a dedicated Garage and a Workshop somewhere else.
Workshop will always expand to try and encroach on car space especially
if it is HER space. :-Z
--
John G
HFT to the rescue again. They sell at least two items that will help
you. One is a hanging tennis ball that touches your window and tells
you to stop. The other may take some modifications. It is a driveway
sensor. It is in their latest ad.
Mike in Ohio
On 6/29/2012 9:53 PM, sal wrote:
> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I have
> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys invented
> your own system? What do you use?
>
> Sal
>
>
On 06/29/2012 07:02 PM, G. Ross wrote:
> sal wrote:
>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when
>> I have
>> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>> invented
>> your own system? What do you use?
>>
>> Sal
>>
>>
> I have a 1" wooden ball (makes this on topic) hanging from a small screw
> eye in the ceiling. When it bumps the center of the windshield it is
> time to stop. Also tells my wife if she is too close to my side where
> my truck lives. Actually I have two wooden balls....
>
I use golf whiffle balls on a string.
--
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure,the creed of ignorance, and the
gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"
-Winston Churchill
On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>>
>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when
>>> I have
>>> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>> invented
>>> your own system? What do you use?
>>
>> I hung a tennis ball from the ceiling on a string. When the windshield
>> touches the tennis ball, the
>> car is in the right place.
>>
>
> That is the old-school standard method. If you hang the string and ball
> accurately you can tell within a fraction of an inch where your vehicle
> is not only forward and backward but left and right. I always aimed to
> have the ball hang so it touched right below the rear-view mirror mount.
> The only real problem is if more than one non-identical vehicle needs to
> be accommodated in the same garage bay.
>
The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle and
the room left is too narrow for the truck.
--
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure,the creed of ignorance, and the
gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"
-Winston Churchill
Larry Jaques <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> I like it! Did you do this or just think it up? Didja use a relay
> and solenoid to kickstart the pen?
>
>
>
> BTW, what in the hell are you guys parking in your shop for?
>
It lets us clear the art work off the table saw by putting it on the car.
*g*
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
On 6/30/2012 9:59 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:50:57 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:P%[email protected]...
>>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>>>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>>>
>> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
>> lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
>> comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
>> affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
>> affecting the length of the string.
>
> I like it! Did you do this or just think it up? Didja use a relay
> and solenoid to kickstart the pen?
The unit I have is commercially made. If anyone's interested, I'll dig
up the box and provide complete details. Bought it from one of those
bargain outfits on the internet but pretty sure they are still available
if you look.
Mine has a small power cube you plug in which powers a "control unit"
which you stick on your opener with double faced tape. The little laser
"pens" mounted on swivel sockets for aiming plug into it.
Set up is a no brainer. Mount the units, pull your car into the garage
exactly where you'd like to land every time. Smack the opener to
activate the laser and aim it into the interior of the dashboard or
wherever.
When you open the door the laser illuminates for about 30-45 seconds,
you pull in and wait until the bright red dot hits the screw (or
whatever) on the defroster grill in front of the driver's position.
I don't believe I paid $20 for the setup which covers both sides of the
garage. I've had mine about 4 years now and only re-aimed when I got a
new car.
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in news:97d31$4fef8044
[email protected]:
>
> Man - as many people as seem to have difficulty pulling a car into a
> garage - ought to just leave their vehicles out in the driveway.
>
It depends on what your tolerances are... I had little trouble pulling
cars into the garage the few times I've done it, because my tolerances are
a couple feet in both directions. Some people have barely enough room for
the garage door to shut.
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
On 6/30/2012 6:45 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:58:46 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:02:59 -0400, "G. Ross" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>>
>>> Actually I have two wooden balls....
>>
>>
>> Sorry to hear that. Can you get a transplant?
>
> Y'mean "graft"?
Everything turns political. ;-)
On Jun 29, 9:02=A0pm, "G. Ross" <[email protected]> wrote:
> sal wrote:
>
>
> I have a 1" wooden ball (makes this on topic) hanging from a small
> screw eye in the ceiling. =A0When it bumps the center of the windshield
> it is time to stop. =A0Also tells my wife if she is too close to my side
> where my truck lives. =A0Actually I have two wooden balls....
>
I had a variation of this in a previous, shallow garage that keeps the
ball out of the way but it kind of depends on ceiling height.
I put the screw eyes in the ceiling to line up with the windshield.
But instead of permanently fastening the string. I ran the cord from
the ball to the ceiling and over to the end of the garage door and
installed another screw eye there, where I tied the other end of the
cord. I used a tennis ball and when the garage door goes up the ball
comes down to windshield height. Door goes up and the ball retracts
toward the ceiling. Kinda fiddly getting it set up but it works well.
RonB
On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:16:40 -0500, Unquestionably Confused
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On 6/30/2012 9:59 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>> On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:50:57 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> news:P%[email protected]...
>>>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>>>>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>>>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>>>>
>>> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
>>> lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
>>> comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
>>> affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
>>> affecting the length of the string.
>>
>> I like it! Did you do this or just think it up? Didja use a relay
>> and solenoid to kickstart the pen?
>
>The unit I have is commercially made. If anyone's interested, I'll dig
>up the box and provide complete details. Bought it from one of those
>bargain outfits on the internet but pretty sure they are still available
>if you look.
>
>Mine has a small power cube you plug in which powers a "control unit"
>which you stick on your opener with double faced tape. The little laser
>"pens" mounted on swivel sockets for aiming plug into it.
>
>Set up is a no brainer. Mount the units, pull your car into the garage
>exactly where you'd like to land every time. Smack the opener to
>activate the laser and aim it into the interior of the dashboard or
>wherever.
>
>When you open the door the laser illuminates for about 30-45 seconds,
>you pull in and wait until the bright red dot hits the screw (or
>whatever) on the defroster grill in front of the driver's position.
>
>I don't believe I paid $20 for the setup which covers both sides of the
>garage. I've had mine about 4 years now and only re-aimed when I got a
>new car.
One of these came with the opener I bought a few years (and a couple of
houses) back. It was a Sears opener but I didn't see them when I bought my
latest opener (for the new house). As you say, they work like a champ.
On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:P%[email protected]...
>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>
> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
affecting the length of the string.
Keith Nuttle wrote:
> On 6/30/2012 12:15 PM, Doug Winterburn wrote:
>> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>> news:P%[email protected]:
>>
>> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle
>> and the room left is too narrow for the truck.
>
> My garage is deep enough that I have no problem in spacing once in the
> garage, but the space between the door frame and the 2nd car in the
> garage is limited.
>
> Any good ideas for a system to gauge the clearance between the car
> coming into the garage and the door frame.
>
> I have though of the hanging object idea but you need to know your
> fender is going to clear the frame several feet before you get to the
> door.
Man - as many people as seem to have difficulty pulling a car into a
garage - ought to just leave their vehicles out in the driveway.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 6/29/2012 9:02 PM, G. Ross wrote:
> sal wrote:
>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals
>> when I have
>> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>> invented
>> your own system? What do you use?
>>
>> Sal
>>
>>
> I have a 1" wooden ball (makes this on topic) hanging from a small
> screw eye in the ceiling. When it bumps the center of the windshield
> it is time to stop. Also tells my wife if she is too close to my side
> where my truck lives. Actually I have two wooden balls....
>
I use an empty beer can with a bit of gravel in it for additional
weight. It has a built in ring to tie the string to.
LdB
"sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:P%[email protected]...
> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
> invented your own system? What do you use?
Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
On 6/30/2012 2:10 PM, Keith Nuttle wrote:
> On 6/30/2012 12:15 PM, Doug Winterburn wrote:
>> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>>>>
>>
>> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle and
>> the room left is too narrow for the truck.
>
> My garage is deep enough that I have no problem in spacing once in the
> garage, but the space between the door frame and the 2nd car in the garage
> is limited.
>
> Any good ideas for a system to gauge the clearance between the car coming
> into the garage and the door frame.
>
> I have though of the hanging object idea but you need to know your fender
> is going to clear the frame several feet before you get to the door.
>
>
I can think of several solutions, first being developing an awareness of
your vehicle's size and where it is in space at any given moment. I'll
admit that some vehicles are easy to manage in that regard while others are
almost impossible. I have a hell of a time switching between by Miata and
my Outback after driving either one exclusively for a week or so -- just
cannot land the other in the absolute center of a marked parking space on
the first go.
As a second solution, how about this: modify a windshield suction cup mount
and install a powerful laser pointer on it. Then calibrate the laser beam's
aim point so that it shines on a reference target inside the garage when
the vehicle is positioned properly. Et voilà -- a laser sight for a
vehicle. Given the patent office's penchant for being impressed by the
blatantly obvious it wouldn't surprise me if somebody patents the idea.
On 6/30/2012 1:10 PM, Keith Nuttle wrote:
> On 6/30/2012 12:15 PM, Doug Winterburn wrote:
>> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>>>>
>>
>> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle and
>> the room left is too narrow for the truck.
>
> My garage is deep enough that I have no problem in spacing once in the
> garage, but the space between the door frame and the 2nd car in the
> garage is limited.
>
> Any good ideas for a system to gauge the clearance between the car
> coming into the garage and the door frame.
>
> I have though of the hanging object idea but you need to know your
> fender is going to clear the frame several feet before you get to the door.
The traditional solution, still available, plus you'll have that "in"
"retro" look:
http://www.amazon.com/Unknown-70203-Curb-Feelers/dp/B001DQCDAA
:)
--
www.eWoodShop.com
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)
http://gplus.to/eWoodShop
"sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I have
> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys invented
> your own system? What do you use?
I hung a tennis ball from the ceiling on a string. When the windshield touches the tennis ball, the
car is in the right place.
Doug Winterburn <[email protected]> wrote in news:4fef2627$0$45198$c3e8da3
[email protected]:
> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>>>
>>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when
>>>> I have
>>>> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>>> invented
>>>> your own system? What do you use?
>>>
>>> I hung a tennis ball from the ceiling on a string. When the windshield
>>> touches the tennis ball, the
>>> car is in the right place.
>>>
>>
>> That is the old-school standard method. If you hang the string and ball
>> accurately you can tell within a fraction of an inch where your vehicle
>> is not only forward and backward but left and right. I always aimed to
>> have the ball hang so it touched right below the rear-view mirror mount.
>> The only real problem is if more than one non-identical vehicle needs to
>> be accommodated in the same garage bay.
>>
>
> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle and
> the room left is too narrow for the truck.
>
Hang a second tennis ball three feet behind the first, at the same distance from the side wall
of the garage, with both balls directly in line with the steering column. The vehicle is properly
aligned port-to-starboard when both balls are in a direct line with the driver's eyes, and
properly aligned fore-and-aft when the first ball touches the windshield.
Or you could paint crosshairs on the wall, and make a game out of it: maneuver the car so
that the tennis ball is centered in the sights.
Dave in Houston wrote:
>
> "sal"<[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:P%[email protected]...
>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>
> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
>
I like the way the wooden ones give an audible click as well as the
visual bump.
But either type of ball would work. If you have kids around you have
to watch that they don't make a game of whacking them around.
--
G.W. Ross
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit
people only once a year. - Victor Borge
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:58:46 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:02:59 -0400, "G. Ross" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>
>
>>>
>> Actually I have two wooden balls....
>
>
>Sorry to hear that. Can you get a transplant?
Y'mean "graft"?
--
If you're trying to take a roomful of people by
surprise, it's a lot easier to hit your targets
if you don't yell going through the door.
-- Lois McMaster Bujold
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:53:11 -0500, "sal" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I have
>entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys invented
>your own system? What do you use?
http://www.smarthome.com/7187/Single-Laser-Guided-Parking-System/p.aspx
On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>
>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I have
>> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys invented
>> your own system? What do you use?
>
> I hung a tennis ball from the ceiling on a string. When the windshield touches the tennis ball, the
> car is in the right place.
>
That is the old-school standard method. If you hang the string and ball
accurately you can tell within a fraction of an inch where your vehicle is
not only forward and backward but left and right. I always aimed to have
the ball hang so it touched right below the rear-view mirror mount. The
only real problem is if more than one non-identical vehicle needs to be
accommodated in the same garage bay.
On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:50:57 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>
>>"sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:P%[email protected]...
>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>>
> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
>lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
>comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
>affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
>affecting the length of the string.
I like it! Did you do this or just think it up? Didja use a relay
and solenoid to kickstart the pen?
BTW, what in the hell are you guys parking in your shop for?
--
If you're trying to take a roomful of people by
surprise, it's a lot easier to hit your targets
if you don't yell going through the door.
-- Lois McMaster Bujold
You don't think that's a little overkill having a laser pointer????
Do you really need another electronic for this. You could easily put a
stop block (little lip) to help on the floor.
The breeze should not affect the ball that much unless you have a real
problem... I use the tennis ball for my wife's vehicle and it doesn't
blow around, while everything else blows into the garage...
If you are worried about the ball being in the way, take a screw eye and
polish the eyelet. Then attach the ball to the string and attach the
string to the garage door. When the door is up, it's in position, when
down it's out of the way.
On 6/30/2012 10:50 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:P%[email protected]...
>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>>
>> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
> lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
> comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
> affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
> affecting the length of the string.
>
On Sun, 01 Jul 2012 12:44:16 +1000, John G <[email protected]> wrote:
>on 1/07/2012, Puckdropper supposed :
>> "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in news:97d31$4fef8044
>> [email protected]:
>>
>>>
>>> Man - as many people as seem to have difficulty pulling a car into a
>>> garage - ought to just leave their vehicles out in the driveway.
>>>
>>
>> It depends on what your tolerances are... I had little trouble pulling
>> cars into the garage the few times I've done it, because my tolerances are
>> a couple feet in both directions. Some people have barely enough room for
>> the garage door to shut.
>>
>> Puckdropper
>
>You must have a dedicated Garage and a Workshop somewhere else.
>Workshop will always expand to try and encroach on car space especially
>if it is HER space. :-Z
That's unlikely to happen before "mine" is totally gone. It did in this house
but that was an agreement before buying it. Now that I have my tools out, she
has the garage back. ...and they have a 2000 sq.ft. basement.;-) Nothing set
up and no power yet. :-(
On 6/30/2012 12:15 PM, Doug Winterburn wrote:
> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>>>
>
> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle and
> the room left is too narrow for the truck.
My garage is deep enough that I have no problem in spacing once in the
garage, but the space between the door frame and the 2nd car in the
garage is limited.
Any good ideas for a system to gauge the clearance between the car
coming into the garage and the door frame.
I have though of the hanging object idea but you need to know your
fender is going to clear the frame several feet before you get to the door.
On 6/30/12 2:10 PM, Keith Nuttle wrote:
> On 6/30/2012 12:15 PM, Doug Winterburn wrote:
>> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in news:P%[email protected]:
>>>>
>>
>> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle and
>> the room left is too narrow for the truck.
>
> My garage is deep enough that I have no problem in spacing once in the
> garage, but the space between the door frame and the 2nd car in the
> garage is limited.
>
> Any good ideas for a system to gauge the clearance between the car
> coming into the garage and the door frame.
>
> I have though of the hanging object idea but you need to know your
> fender is going to clear the frame several feet before you get to the door.
>
How about a mirror in the garage, maybe convex if the attack angle is a
bit odd?
--
Froz...
The system will be down for 10 days for preventive maintenance.
On 6/30/2012 6:39 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Keith Nuttle wrote:
>> On 6/30/2012 12:15 PM, Doug Winterburn wrote:
>>> On 06/30/2012 08:59 AM, John McGaw wrote:
>>>> On 6/30/2012 8:06 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
>>>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>> news:P%[email protected]:
>>>
>>> The other problem is when SWMBO aka OverLord drives in at an angle
>>> and the room left is too narrow for the truck.
>>
>> My garage is deep enough that I have no problem in spacing once in the
>> garage, but the space between the door frame and the 2nd car in the
>> garage is limited.
>>
>> Any good ideas for a system to gauge the clearance between the car
>> coming into the garage and the door frame.
>>
>> I have though of the hanging object idea but you need to know your
>> fender is going to clear the frame several feet before you get to the
>> door.
>
> Man - as many people as seem to have difficulty pulling a car into a
> garage - ought to just leave their vehicles out in the driveway.
>
With hail, wind, and flying debris damage a little frustration of
putting it into the garage is well worth the cost and hassle of getting
the car repaired if it is not total because of the dents.
Yes I know the tree could fall on the garage, but I have seen cars and
houses significantly damaged by hail.
There is also the security angle of putting a car into the garage.
On 7/1/2012 10:08 AM, Kenefick wrote:
> HFT to the rescue again. They sell at least two items that will help
> you. One is a hanging tennis ball that touches your window and tells
> you to stop. The other may take some modifications. It is a driveway
> sensor. It is in their latest ad.
>
> Mike in Ohio
>
> On 6/29/2012 9:53 PM, sal wrote:
>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when
>> I have
>> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>> invented
>> your own system? What do you use?
>>
>> Sal
>>
>>
>
Local ad for Menard's had a Chamberlain with the laser pointer attached
to it.
On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 11:06:30 -0400, tiredofspam <nospam.nospam.com>
wrote:
>You don't think that's a little overkill having a laser pointer????
>Do you really need another electronic for this. You could easily put a
>stop block (little lip) to help on the floor.
>
>The breeze should not affect the ball that much unless you have a real
>problem... I use the tennis ball for my wife's vehicle and it doesn't
>blow around, while everything else blows into the garage...
>
>If you are worried about the ball being in the way, take a screw eye and
>polish the eyelet. Then attach the ball to the string and attach the
>string to the garage door. When the door is up, it's in position, when
>down it's out of the way.
>
>On 6/30/2012 10:50 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>> On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:P%[email protected]...
>>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>>>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>>>
>>> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
>> lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
>> comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
>> affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
>> affecting the length of the string.
>>
For "precision"parking - both left to right AND fore and aft, you
cannot beet the lazer. If you line it up to the center of the car you
can tell if you are on-center when the laser hits the leading edge of
the hood (center ridge if the hood has one)
And it is DEAD SIMPLE.
sal wrote:
> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I have
> entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys invented
> your own system? What do you use?
>
> Sal
>
>
I have a 1" wooden ball (makes this on topic) hanging from a small
screw eye in the ceiling. When it bumps the center of the windshield
it is time to stop. Also tells my wife if she is too close to my side
where my truck lives. Actually I have two wooden balls....
--
G.W. Ross
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit
people only once a year. - Victor Borge
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:02:59 -0400, "G. Ross" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>
> Actually I have two wooden balls....
Sorry to hear that. Can you get a transplant?
On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 07:59:48 -0700, Larry Jaques
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:50:57 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:44:40 -0500, "Dave in Houston" <[email protected]>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"sal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:P%[email protected]...
>>>> I would like to install some type sensor ,indicator that signals when I
>>>> have entered my garage far enough to close the door.Have any of you guys
>>>> invented your own system? What do you use?
>>>
>> Hanging tennis ball so that when your windshield just touches it.
>>lasr pen in the ceiling and a small dot on your windsheild. Laser pen
>>comes on with the garage door opener light. 100% accurate and not
>>affected by breeze blowing the ball around or humidity/temperature
>>affecting the length of the string.
>
>I like it! Did you do this or just think it up? Didja use a relay
>and solenoid to kickstart the pen?
>
You can buy the things ready made, and for DIY you can take the laser
pen apart, bypass the switch, connect wires in place of the batteries
to a small 3.5 V "wall wart" transformer and with an E26 cube-tap
(threaded to blade adapter) plug the wall-wart into the one side of
the garage door opener light. Make a little bracket to fasten to the
garage ceiling and bend it to point the laser where you want it. Keep
the bracket as short as possible so it doesn't move.
>
>
>BTW, what in the hell are you guys parking in your shop for?