Remote light switch

Does the second button do anything now that you know of?

The second button is programmable to operate another remote switch (for example a gate in a gated community). My Jimmy has three buttons to operate different things. I have mine programed for my garage door, my parents' garage door, and my Aunt's community gate. Once I figure out how to activate the light, I will reprogram one of these buttons to operate the light.

It sounds like all you need is something like this:

http://www.stanleyopeners.com/mul10gardoor.html

connected to a relay that switches on the light.

My first thought would be motion sensor, then no buttons would have to be pushed, they turn on when someone walks/drives up, turn off when gone.

google x10

They have LOTS of remote stuff. I have been using remote switches in the house for over 20 years, nice to lay in bed and turn on/off/dim different lights... or hit ALL ON or ALL OFF. Turn on the outside lights from anywhere in the house I have a control box plugged in. Love it.

Fifty years ago, I remodeled my house and incorporated a low-voltage light control system. I used Square-D relays and small toggle switches with a momentary center-off position. The relays are mounted in the outlet boxes and are connected by 24 gauge bell-type wires to the control switches. The system uses a 24 volt transformer so there was no requirement for the inspection of that part of the wiring. The electrical inspector said so and that it reduced his required efforts. GE also makes these components (or did). This type relay does require three wires to connect it to the system, one for power and one for each of the off and on positions. The other wire from the transformer goes to the control switch common.

Thanks for all the help. I ended up going a different route because of cost. bhankiii's idea of a remote reciever tied to a relay would have worked great, but I wanted the relay to turn the power off after a time delay, and those relays start at $40.

I knew about X10 but didn't use that because I wanted the same remote control unit that opens my garge door to turn on the light.

I ended up tapping into the line that goes to the light bulb inside my opener. It is already timed, so I only needed an $8 relay from Radio Shack. It isn't as elegant because now to turn the light on I open the garage door and immediatly close it (it opens about a foot), but I am happy with the results anyway.

You should be able to program one of your buttons to just turn on the light on your opener. then you can turn on the light without opening the door.