Sunday, March 19, 2017

Land Rover Discovery 2 retrofit HomeLink for Hörmann doors

Disco 2 sold in the US had an option of fitting HomeLink buttons on the overhead panel.
These three buttons could be programmed to work with your garage door opener, automatic gate, etc.
Here is what it looked like, from a www.landroversonly.com post.


Ok, but this was many years ago. Standard used for remote control transmission evolved since then. Also, geographical differences of radio standards would prevent a direct reuse of US HomeLink module in Europe.

Let's upgrade HomeLink to work with modern rmann door openers, very popular in Europe.

Good news is that European Disco 2 models still have the cable with right connector under the panel and a slot with a cover to fit it in.

Start with finding a used HomeLink part for your Discovery. They are available on ebay for 20-40 USD, plus extra 10-20$ for shipping to Europe.

Then, get a Hörmann remote controller, a special version for fitting into wall in an electrical box.
Watch for compatibility with your particular opener. I used part FUS2-868-BS.
It has two programmable channels, so we will have two buttons operating on HomeLink and third redundant.

You can program it now or wait until it is mounted in your Disco.

As you can see, this module is powered from 1.5V battery. We don't want to bother with watching for battery condition and replacing it in the future. So we will need a 12V to 1.5V voltage converter.
Traco Power TSRN 1-2415 should do the job.


Let's open and dismantle the remote controller.


And the HomeLink module.

Cut the power cable from the HomeLink as close to the board as possible.
Separate the main board from the small one (with buttons) by peeling off connecting tape from where it is soldered to the small board. Watch out to not destroy the circuitry on the small board. Dispose of the main board and connecting tape. Keep the small board with buttons and the power cable.

Now, using some soldering skills, connect the power cable to the remote controller, through the voltage converter. Converter fits perfectly inside a space for the battery. Do not remove a battery terminal spring from the board - lead power cable through it, so you can use it as a stabilizer for the cable. At the end, stabilize converter and power cable by applying some hot glue on them.


Next, solder the green, red and blue wires to the small HomeLink board with buttons, directly to the circuit board. Adjust wire lengths so they fit into the package later. I found it convenient to settle the board in the case first and solder the cables later.


Old LED indicator light remains not connected to anything. New led on the Hörmann board and its soldering bullets are so small that I decided not to tamper with them and keep it as it is on the board. If you arrange the cables carefully, there will be enough room to see the Hörmann led through the yellow HomeLink led to do the programming. But it will not be shiny enough to see it clearly in the daylight. Maybe you can find some fiber-like material to glue it to the new led and lead it to the old one, to make the light more visible.

Assemble the case - the new board fits perfectly where the old one was and externally it looks exactly the same as previously.


And now into the car, where it belongs.


Your new remote will work when ignition is in on or engine running position.
Good luck.