I happen to be around San Jose yesterday and remembered that The Lovemakers were performing at Rasputin on Bascom to celebrate their record release. So I stopped by to see them live. They were great and the music was good and enjoyable. They are a local band from Oakland and I hope they make it bigger because they are that good at what they do.

Live shot:

Record signing. I got to meet them and they are very nice people.

Tonight I saw this local San Jose 3 piece band that rocks. I really enjoy watching them perform. I also remember seeing them before on Tech TV, The ScreenSavers. Their three track demo CD is really good too. The songs are the ones on their web site.
Blood on the Tracks
Check them out and support local bands.

Other local bands worth mentioning which my buddies are part of:

Marvin's band - Hi*Lo Souls

Rob's band - Parting Glance

You may use this information as reference for hard wiring your remote garage door opener to an additional rocker switch. This works only if you don't have the heated seat option. Even though this is not a major modification, you are doing it at your own risk. I will not be responsible for your action. Make sure you know what you are doing or else consult your Porsche dealer.
PURPOSE:
Integrate your remote garage door opener to an additional rocker switch. This will eliminate the pressing of the garage door opener by hard wiring it to the rocker switch. The remote garage door opener still uses battery and tucked underneathe the console. The new rocker switch will be illuminated by sharing power from the left window rocker switch. Overall, the look is aesthetic.
TOOLS:

Window Rocker Switch ($26.00 from Porsche dealer)

01. This is what my console looks like. I'm going to replace the top dummy rocker switch with my garage opener switch.


02. I bought a window rocker switch from a Porsche dealership. It cost about $26.00 +tax. The reason I chose the window rocker swtich is that the image on it resembles a garage door opening and closing.


03. Start by removing the ash tray from the console and unscrew the two plastic torque screw with an "L" torque wrench. Mine came with the car bra I bought.


04. Once the screws are removed, pull the console out. Disconnect the light wire for the ash tray light.


05. Unlodge the top dummy rocker switch. This may require a flat head screw driver.


06. Pop the new rocker switch in the location of the dummy switch. The orientation of the switch should be the same as the window rocker switches. Click to zoom in.


07. It should look like this after the new rocker switch is popped in.


08. Disconnect the white window switch connector. The power for the new rocker switch light will be shared with this.


09. Solder two wires to the terminals one at each end of the white connector. This is the power source for the light. Left terminal of window connector to left terminal of new rocker switch. Same for the right side. Re-connect the white connector. See zoom image above for detail.


10. Take apart your garage opener and locate the contact switch. Use the digital multimeter to find out which legs of the contact switch provide the contact when the button of the garage open is pressed (sorry you have to be a little technical here). Solder a 1 foot wire to each leg.


11. For my garage opener I found the two legs that provide the contact to open the garage when the button is pressed. Click to zoom in so you'll have an idea of what its like.


12. Make a hole through the casing and run the wires thru it. Repackage the garage opener with the new battery.


13. Solder the other ends of the two wires from the garage open to the new rocker switch. The wires can be vice versa. As long one is tied together at the terminal. This way the garage will activate when the rocker switch is pressed in either direction. Click on the zoom picture above for detail.


14. Dress up the wires with electrical tape and cover all exspose terminals. To prevent the garage opener from making rattling noise, I stuffed it in a sock. Put the garage opener in first. Push it all the way inside the console, and make sure that it does not obstruct anything like the emergency brake mechanism. Re-connect the ash tray light connector.


15. Re-install the console by screwing in the two plastic torque screw and drop in the ash tray. Voila! Done! Complete. The switch works like a charm. It even lights up when the light is turned on. Now I don't have to mess with a garage opener that I always misplace. Good luck! Send me an e-mail if you have questions regarding this procedure.


16. Credit to my cat Slinky for helping out.

01. Gold and gaurds red model paint and two fine paint brushes can be purchase at your local hobby shop or hobby section of your local store for less than $10.00.


02. Remove the crests from the wheels and clean the surface thuroughly.


03. Start by painting the red area first. Mask one section out.


04. Shake the paint well. Lightly dip the brush into the paint and paint away. Don't use too much paint or else there'll be a blob of paint on that section of the crest. Let it sit for 15 minutes.


05. When the paint is dry, slowly peel off the masking tape.


06. Do the same for the rest of the three red sections.


07. Now we start painting the gold color. This is a little tricky. There is no need for masking. All you need is a calm and gentle hand. Use the other brush and lightly dip into the gold paint and start painting the gold sections. Take your time here.


08. This is result when you are done. Repeat the process for the other three crests.


09. What a difference and you just saved $150.00