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FAQs

 

FAQs

Question: My garage door opener does not use screw terminals or does not allow the connection of additional wires.  How do I connect the black GarageHawk wires to my garage door opener?

 

Answer:
Variations among garage door opener manufactures may require alternate methods of connecting GarageHawk.  A suggested alternate method of connection is shown below.  Warning: Disconnect garage door opener power before proceeding.  The black GarageHawk wires must be attached across (wired in parallel to) the existing wall mounted garage door opener button.  The connection is not polarity sensitive.

GarageHawk connections

 

Question: When the garage door is opened, neither the Door Position Indicator on the Garage Module or the Remote Module will light.

 

Answer:
1. Verify Garage Module is plugged into a non-switched outlet and that AC power is being supplied to the unit.

2. Verify that the garage door position sensor switch and magnet are mounted correctly (see Mounting and Connections section of Installation Manual and User's Guide).

3. Remove garage door position sensor switch and magnet from the mounting location. Hold switch and magnet together. The red LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module should light when switch and magnet are separated. If this test works, try relocating the mounting location away from metal objects. Metal objects sometimes become magnetized causing erratic operation of the position sensor.

 

Question: LED Status Indicator on Garage Module functions properly but the garage door does not close when the "Close Door" button on the Remote Module is pushed.

 

Answer:
Check connection to garage door opener terminals.
Plug Remote Module directly into the front of the Garage Module.

If door closes properly:
      Go to Power Line Communications Impediments

If door still fails to close:
      Make sure door closes properly when door closer button is pushed.
      Re-Link Remote and Garage Modules

 

Question: When garage door is opened, LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module will light, but red Door Position Indicator on Remote Module will not light, or garage door does not close when the CLOSE button is depressed on Remote Module.

 

Answer:
Verify proper operation when Remote Module is plugged directly into the front of the Garage Module. If this does not correct the problem, re-link the modules by following the procedure outlined in the section titled "Linking INSTEON Modules". If this still does not correct the problem contact GarageHawk Technical Support for additional help.

 

Question: GarageHawk does not turn on auxiliary lighting when the garage door is opened.

 

Answer:

For X10 Lighting Modules:
Verify proper operation when Lighting Module is plugged directly into the front of the Garage Module.

If this does not correct the problem, verify that the module's House Code is set to "G" and the Unit Code is set to "16"

If this corrects the problem:
Move the Lighting Module back to your desired location and unplug possible power line noise generating appliances one at a time. (See: Power Line Communications Impediments)

Retest after unplugging each appliance by closing and re-opening the garage door using vehicle garage door opener or wall-mounted button. When the Lighting Module starts working you have found the offending appliance.

OR

Replace the X10 module with an INSTEON Enabled Module. (See X10 to INSTEON Technology Comparison.) Don't forget to link the new INSTEON module using the procedure outlined in the section titled "Linking INSTEON Modules".

Answer:

For INSTEON Lighting Modules:
Verify proper operation when Lighting Module is plugged directly into the front of the Garage Module.

If this does not correct the problem, re-link the modules by following the procedure outlined in the section titled "Linking INSTEON Modules".

If this does not correct the problem contact GarageHawk Technical Support for additional help.

 

Question: How can GarageHawk be used to turn on the lights in my home?

 

Answer:
By linking an INSTEON (recommended) or X10 lighting module to your GarageHawk system, GarageHawk will turn on a light whenever the garage door is opened. GarageHawk will automatically turn the light off again after approximately 4 minutes. See User's Guide for details on linking lighting modules. INSTEON and X10 lighting modules are available from Smarthome. The use of INSTEON modules is recommended because adding additional INSTEON modules to your system actually improves the signal strength to all INSTEON modules, making the INSTEON network more reliable.

 

Question: Can GarageHawk be used to initiate other events?

 

Answer:
Yes, when used with an INSTEON or X10 intelligent controller, GarageHawk can be used to initiate other more complex events.

Question:  Why does the white/blue LED indicator on the side of my GarageHawk modules flicker occasionally? 

 

Answer:

This condition is normal.  The white/blue LED indicator on the side of the GarageHawk modules will flicker whenever any INSTEON or X10 signals are detected on the power line.  These signals may or may not be related to the GarageHawk operation.

 

Question: The Door Position Indicator on the Remote Module indicates the garage door is open.  Pressing the “Close Door” button closes the garage door or closes and then reopens the door.  The Door Position Indicator on the Remote Module never indicates the garage door is closed.

 

Answer:

Close the garage door using the garage door opener button in the garage.  Verify that the red LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module goes dark when the garage door is closed.  If the red LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module does not go dark, the magnetic switch is not properly indicating the garage door position. 

  1. Verify the switch and magnet is positioned correctly (see GarageHawk User's Guide).
  2. Verify the magnet, magnetic switch and magnetic switch wiring are not damaged in any way.

Question:  The Door Position Indicator on the Remote Module flickers every few minutes.

 

Answer:

This condition is normal.  The brief flash indicates that the garage door position indication is being refreshed to assure accuracy.

 

Question:  The Door Position Indicator on the Remote Module flashes red and never indicates the garage door is closed.

 

Answer:

Close the garage door using the garage door opener button in the garage.  Verify that the red LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module goes dark when the garage door is closed.  If the red LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module does not go dark or is flashing, the magnetic switch is not functioning properly.

  1. Verify the magnetic switch is not damaged in any way.
  2. Verify the magnetic switch is not broken, cut or pinched.

If the red LED Status Indicator on the bottom of the Garage Module goes dark (as it should) when the garage door is closed a communications problem is likely between the Garage Module and the Remote Module.  Consult the "Troubleshooting" section of the (GarageHawk User's Guide) or visit the Troubleshooting page on our web site.

Question:  The Door Position Indicator on the Remote Module flashes alternate red/green.

Answer:

Alternate red/green flashing of the Door Position Indicator on the Remote Module indicates Unknown Status.  This condition is usually a result of a momentary interruption of communication between the Remote Module and the Garage Module.  Normal operation should be automatically restored within a few minutes.    The status can be refreshed manually at any time by pressing the Close Door Button.  If this condition persists or reoccurs frequently your home's wiring may have noise or signal attenuation present.  These conditions can usually be easily resolved.  Visit our Troubleshooting page for additional information.