BT Mate — Simple, Low-Cost Android Garage Door Opener and More

Introduction to GD Mate

Home Next

This project is easier than it looks and and the build steps are fully explained in the next sections.

You will start with a Samsung HM1100 Bluetooth headset available from Radio Shack or Amazon.com. Remove the speaker from the HM1100 and connect a $1 transistor (Radio Shack Part#276-2009) to the red speaker wire. Then you will solder two wires to the transistor and connect those wires to your garage door opener.

The example below shows the HM1100 connected to a Chamberlain Liftmaster.

Modified HM1100 Example Garage Opener

Don't have the time or the tools ? We can purchase and modify the HM1100 for you. Click here
Next: Parts and Tools List
Back to Home

Parts and Tools

Home Back Next

Required Parts

Qty:1	Samsung HM1100 Bluetooth headset(Radio Shack or Amazon)
Qty:1	2222A NPN transistor ($1, Radio Shack #276-2009)

Recommended Tools & Supplies

·	Soldering iron ($8, Radio Shack #64-2051)
·	Some solder ($5 Radio Shack #64-035)
·	Soldering Heat Sink Clip ($2 Radio Shack #276-1567)
·	3 feet of red and black 24 gauge wire ($7 Radio Shack #278-872 for 100ft)
·	A thin knife ($5 Radio Shack #64-066)
·	Pliers ($6 Radio Shack #64-062)
·	2 small nylon wire ties or glue ($3 Radio Shack #278-1631)

Next: Configure and Build Step 1 of 7
Back: Introduction to GD Mate
Back to Home

Step 1 of 7: Pair HM1100 to Phone

Home Back Next

Here are detailed instructions on how to pair your Android to the HM1100. Please read this carefully even if you know how to pair a headset to your phone.

Note, this is a guideline. Your phone may differ.

To pair the devices, click the Home button on your phone and then click the Menu button.

Next click Settings and choose Wireless & networks

Then click Bluetooth Settings and make sure that Bluetooth is turned ON.

Now turn On the HM1100 and hold down the HM1100's Talk button. Hold down the Talk button until the LED turns purple. When that happens click Scan for devices on your Android. In a few seconds the HM1100 should appear on the list of Bluetooth devices.

Put the HM1100 in your ear and click HM1100 from the Bluetooth devices list on your Android. Click HM1100 on your Android a few times and you should hear a beep (or two) when you connect and disconnect. If you hear the beeps things are working properly.

On some Androids if you hold down HM1100 from the Bluetooth devices list an Options menu may appear. Under the Options menu uncheck "Use for phone audio".

Leave the HM1100 "Paired but not connected" and proceed to the Step 2.

Next: Configure and Build Step 2 of 7
Back: Parts and Tools
Back to Home

Step 2 of 7: Setup & Test

Home Back Next

Return to the GD Mate App and select Settings from the Setup menu.

Click the Change Bluetooth Device button. When you click the button you will get a pop-up that cycles through all the headsets paired to your phone. When the HM1100 appears, click "OK".

Setup is now complete and you should perform the following test.

Put the HM1100 in your ear and click the large Garage Door button on the main screen. The button should turn yellow but if it doesn't exit and restart the GD Mate App. After clicking the button you should hear one or two quick beeps on your headset and the button will become gray again. This completes the setup and test and you can now modify the HM1100.

Next: Configure and Build Step 3 of 7
Back: Configure and Build Step 1 of 7
Back to Home

Step 3 of 7: Remove Speaker

Home Back Next

Remove the rubber seal from the speaker. Using a small screwdriver or knife, carefully pry the speaker loose. Gently turn the speaker and this will untwist its wires giving you enough slack to fit a small knife or razor to cut off the speaker.

Next: Configure and Build Step 4 of 7
Back: Configure and Build Step 2 of 7
Back to Home

Step 4 of 7: Crush and Peel Cone

Home Back Next

Remove the ear clip. Then using a pair of pliers slowly crush the cone that held speaker. When the cone is thoroughly crushed it should be easy to peel off leaving the wires exposed. Note, you can slice off the black wire since you won't need it. Carefully scrape off a little insulation from the red wire.

Next: Configure and Build Step 5 of 7
Back: Configure and Build Step 3 of 7
Back to Home

Step 5 of 7: Solder Transistor

Home Back Next

Next take a close look at the transistor. It has three wires coming out of the bottom and we want to connect one of those wires to the power connector. With the label facing you take the leftmost wire and hold it against the inner edge of the HM1100 power connector. Then with moderate force, jam the power cable into the connector. This will sandwich the transistor wire between the power connectors.

Now twist the transistor so that the label is facing down against the power cable. Then solder the center transistor wire to the HM1100 red wire. When soldering you should attach a heat sink clip to the transistor lead to prevent the thermal damage.

Next: Configure and Build Step 6 of 7
Back: Configure and Build Step 4 of 7
Back to Home

Step 6 of 7: Solder Wires

Home Back Next

Tie the transistor to the power cord connector using a nylon wire tie. Then solder a pair of 18-inch thin wires to the left and right transistor wires as shown in the photo. We recommend you use red and black 24-gauge wires. When soldering you should attach a heat sink clip to the transistor lead to prevent the thermal damage.

You may trim the excess transistor wire (right side of photo 2). Twist the pair of wires together and secure using another nylon wire tie. The wires are now ready to attach to your overhead garage door opener.

Next: Configure and Build Step 7 of 7
Back: Configure and Build Step 5 of 7
Back to Home

Step 7 of 7: Connect to Opener

Home Back

Connect the red (+) and the black (-) wires coming from the HM1100 to the control terminals of your overhead garage door opener. The control terminals are also wired to the wall switch in your garage so there will already be wires going to those terminals. Usually those wires are striped red & white (+) and white (-). The terminals are designed to connect multiple wires.

Do not leave any of the original wires disconnected from the garage door opener. The photos below show the terminals before connecting the HM1100 wires.

Plug the HM1100 power supply into the same ceiling outlet as your garage door opener. Hang the HM1100 a few inches below your overhead garage door opener. The App is now ready for use.