I recently installed a LiftMaster 8550W and the old method I used to locally control the garage door (GD) became non-functional because the new Security 2.0 compatible 8550W uses codes sent from the wall or portable remote to trigger the opening/closing. The built in MyQ WiFi function relies on a cloud connection to trigger the device and I prefer to avoid the cloud for home automation whenever possible. Also, the MyQ API changes often which makes the existing Home Assistant integrations not as reliable as I would like. My biggest concern going this route was my lack of soldering skills - which I soon realized was not a big deal after a couple of practice runs.
The setup described here, although quite involved, allows for a very reliable local control of the garage door opener and the garage door open/close status. It integrates into HA via MQTT and ZWave and allows Alexa voice control as well.
The following components are used:
- Sonoff 4CH Pro with Tasmota fimware: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H8Y8H9 ; https://github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota
- 882LM Wall Remote: https://www.amazon.com/LiftMaster-88…/dp/B00AZL8MO0
- Ecolink Z-Wave Plus Tilt Sensor: https://www.amazon.com/Ecolink-Intel…/dp/B01MRZB0NT
- Soldering Kit: https://www.amazon.com/Tabiger-Solde…/dp/B074W3W55T
The Sonoff 4CH Pro is used as the relay to trigger the connected 882LM Wall Remote which sends a signal to the 8550W to open or close the garage door. The Ecolink Z-Wave Tilt Sensor shows a real time status of whether the garage door is opened or closed.
Here’s a diagram of the setup:
Procedure:
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Configure Sonoff 4CH Pro DIP switches for Inching Mode and 1000 ms delay. The steps to do this are described in the Sonoff 4CH Pro Wiki here:
https://www.itead.cc/wiki/Sonoff_4CH_Pro -
Flash Sonoff 4CH Pro with Tasmota and configure MQTT.
Here’s the Tasmota Wiki page on flashing the 4CH Pro:
https://tasmota.github.io/docs/devices/Sonoff-4CH-Pro/ -
Create MQTT and ZWave devices in HA. Also set up Alexa on HA.
https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/mqtt/
https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zwave/
https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/alexa/ -
Solder the two legs of the button on the 882LM Wall Remote circuit board as shown below to 22 AWG or 24 AWG wires. Use the 22 AWG if the cable run is going to be longer. Here are pics of the 882LM circuit board showing the button legs to solder.
- Connect the wires from the 882LM button legs to the NO and COM terminals of any one of the 4CH Pro relays.
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Power on the Sonoff 4CH Pro and use the HA Garage Door entity you created earlier to toggle its relay to trigger the opening/closing of the garage door.
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Include the Ecolink Z-Wave Tilt Sensor into your ZWave network and place it on the upper part of the garage door.
- Use Alexa Routines to enable voice commands to open and close the garage door. You will need Alexa integration into HA via the Nabu Casa service or the manual method.