Wiring Flourescent Lights To Garage Door Opener?



Question:
I have asked this question before with no response. I have a 1/2 hp Genie screw drive garage door opener . I also have installed 2 sets of 4 foot fluorescent lights to my garage ceiling (these are wired to a wall switch). My goal: to have the floursescent lights come one and off using the timer/on/off mechanism that controls the bulb on the garage door opener. Maybe someone with adequate knowledge can try to tackle this and e-mail me some instructions. I hope it is not too hard even for you pros out there. Good luck

Answer:
I don't think the total load for a couple of 4' flourescent fixtures would be too much for the garage door opener's relay to handle. Many GDO's can handle 2-100 watt lamps. Despite the shortcomings of flourescents in a garage (the cold, the lack of energy savings due to frequent switching) , I use them in my garage as well. The benifits far outweigh any shortcomings. Even the smallest of garages is woefully underlit by the standard single-socket fixture, and anyone who spends a little time in there usually installs more lighting. My flourescents are triggered by the secondary button on my craftsmen GDO remote by replacing the wall switch with a replacement receiver module sold as an accessory with the GDO stuff at sears. However, the module specifically states it needs a resistive load of at least 60 watts to operate properly, so, I still do have a 100w keyless socket which workes in tandem with the additional flourescents. (Solves the -10 degrees in the garage and the flourescents won't come on problem too) There's a 3rd button as well, which can be used for another GDO or another switch module. I have the other module but haven't hooked it up yet to an exterior light switch.





Categories