I have a very uneven garage floor which I think might be an issue with this style of switch

Talk about uneven, we had dirt garage floors when we started using the more the costly magnetic contact switch. It will accommodate a nearly 3" gap. What are you using now? The gap for magnetic switch that ships with the garage kit needs to be much closer.

The magnetic switch is mounted at the top of the door, not on the floor.  The magnet is mounted on the top edge of the door.  As Stu indicated the gap can be wide with the combined N/O N/C magnetic switch.

I always thought you needed to mount it to the floor like most warehouses do

The switch is weatherproof but my preference was to mount the switch on the door header at the top of the door opening.  Then mount the magnet on the top edge of the garage door itself.  I also have a magnetic switch that is activated when the door is fully open.  It is activated by the same magnet that controls the switch indicating the door is fully closed.  I chose to two switches because the position of the detached garage does not allow viewing of the door from the house. 

Our garage doors are one piece and swing up. The original floor was dirt. The most practical place was on the side near the bottom. The point being that there is no one location that must be chosen.

 

Lee, we have the same situation, so a installed a camera and monitor for safety's sake as well as convenience.

Stu

 

Camera would be a better solution.  Plus it adds an additional layer of security.     

A 3-4" car backup monitor is an inexpensive and minimal footprint solution.

Well I may have to listen to you guys.  After my last change to my program, I did not receive my 3am email notification but at 730am I looked at mobilinc and as soon as I did I got the door open email.

I always thought you needed to mount it to the floor like most warehouses do

I attached my reed switch to the overhead rail assembly and associated magnet to the trolley inside the rail using double sided tape. Not sure if this is possible in your installation. Here is a picture with the door closed.

~Mike

is that the standard switch that comes with the garage kit or is that a 3 wire switch?

Will any of these be good?  does it need to have normally open and normally closed?  I was thinking about the first one.  Smarthome wants to charge $30 shipping so im buying in Canada.  Thanks 

 

https://www.aartech.ca/odc-59b-amseco-garage-door-magnetic-contact-form-c.html

 

https://www.aartech.ca/odc-59a-amseco-garage-door-magnetic-contact.html

 

https://www.aartech.ca/vip1000-98z-flair-overhead-door-contact-with-z-bracket.html

 

https://www.aartech.ca/vip1000-98l-flair-overhead-door-contact-with-l-bracket.html

You want a magnetic contact switch that is closed when away from the magnet and open when close to the magnet. Only the first device linked to allows that configuration.

Any suggestions on how to wire the 3wire magnet switch to the io linc?

Red and Black wires to I/O Linc in place of existing magnetic switch connections.  No polarity considerations.  Tape Green wire.  Trigger Reverse no longer used nor any Program to reverse Sensor state.

Edited March 21, 201510 yr by LeeG

I didn't understand this part.

"Tape Green wire.  Trigger Reverse no longer used nor any Program to reverse Sensor state"

The new switch has three wires.  The Green wire is not used.  Cover the Green wire with tape to avoid an exposed bare wire.

 

If you were using Trigger Reverse to handle working with a NC switch, the option is no longer needed with new switch.

 

If you were using a Program to handle working with a NC switch, that Program is no longer needed.

So the benefit of the new switch, isnt because it has 3 wires but because of the design of the switch?

Correct. The switch allows a choice of NO or NC contacts. So does the output of the I/O Linc.

Well I get it on Tuesday so I cant wait to finally resolve these issues

Correct. The switch allows a choice of NO or NC contacts. So does the output of the I/O Linc.

If polarity doesn't matter and Im not using the green wire, how do you choose between NC or NO on the switch? 

The green wire connects to NC, red to NO and black to COM, so you'd use green and black for NC and red and black for NO. It doesn't matter to the I/O Linc sensor which wire is common and which wire isn't.

Currently a NC switch is being used, one that is described as " I cant wait to finally resolve these issues" with the new switch.

 

Why would you chose a new NC switch to replace the current NC switch.

 

Use the Black and Red wires to have a NO switch.

Edited March 25, 201510 yr by LeeG

I chose the switch that was recommended that does nc and no

I chose the switch that was recommended that does nc and no

You chose the correct switch. The only task left is to choose the correct wires, black and red. Because polarity doesn't matter, you can choose which of black or red connects to GND and which connects to Sense.