Motorized Sportscreen Skytrak Garage Build

[Fran M]

Thanks for all the tips on the forum. Started my build this week.

Step 1, get heat in the garage! Being in CT, this was first and foremost! I purchased this gas heater for $400 https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...7749_200577749

I thought it wouldn't be too costly to have it installed. Man was I wrong! Had two quotes at $4000 and one at $2600!

Then I got a reasonable quote at $1500 for installation. As we started talking, he suggested installing a mini-split instead for the benefit on AC in the summer. When I asked how much he replied with $2900 installed, equipment included! I figured for $1000 more in total, this made the most sense as my garage is unbearable in the summer and I like working on my cars too. This is the unit I went with https://www.ecomfort.com/Fujitsu-15RLS3Y/p65509.html

This is my progress thus far. I built a mount to kitty-corner the Heat/AC unit. That will be installed next week.
I bought a few carwash mat clips to hang my mat on the wall. My sportscreen will be mounted from the ceiling directly in front of where my mat is hanging.



I ran some wiring for a separate spotlight, trying to determine exactly where to mount it. Ran power and a 35FT HDMI cable out the wall to the right of the mat on the wall. Picked up an Optoma 1080Darbee off craigslist for $425 which was less than a week old with 2 hours on it. Kid who sold it to me gave me an Amazon gift receipt so I returned it for a $649 credit. As this projector is a bit fickle to install, I decided on getting a Benq TH671ST instead for the same price.

My 10' sportscreen and impact screen both arrived today so once I have that mounted, I'll add another outlet in the ceiling to keep it clean looking. I also moved my garage door opener up to the ceiling with an extension arm for my opener. Thought about using a jackshaft opener and a highlift track but this looks like it may work perfect and save me a few dollars. Hopefully I won't get a shadow on the screen from the opener...



Progress, can't wait for some heat!

[Fran M]

Here's a vid of the impact, you can see the bounce back or, lack thereof

[Fran M]

Here's a picture of the image quality in 1400x1050

[rbrogden]

Looks great, I am thinking of a very similar setup. A few questions if you don't mind. Where did you get the extender arm for your garage? How far from your screen are you hitting from, and what distance is your BenQ projector mounted? I will have a 10x10 screen as well, and I have not been able to find a good projector set up yet. Thanks for the detail, it has helped me plan!

[Fran M]

Looks great, I am thinking of a very similar setup. A few questions if you don't mind. Where did you get the extender arm for your garage? How far from your screen are you hitting from, and what distance is your BenQ projector mounted? I will have a 10x10 screen as well, and I have not been able to find a good projector set up yet. Thanks for the detail, it has helped me plan!

Glad to be of help.

I got the extender arm off Ebay. It's a Genie 26012D Straight Door Arm

The BenQ Th671ST is mounted 10 feet from the screen. You can use this calculator to see what projector distance you need:

https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-TH671ST-projection-calculator-pro.htm

I like the BenQ as it has an optical zoom which allows you some flexibility on where you mount it. Example, if you were to mount it at 10' 3", you'd use the zoom to get it precisely where you want it on your screen. The Optoma 1080Darbee for example does not have an optical zoom which makes moutning a bit more cumbersome.

I hit anywhere from 8-9 feet away, depends on where my mat is when set up. As I don't have any ceiling or side protection yet, the closer the better

[Fran M]

Please update after the minisplit goes in. I'm very interested to hear how well it works this winter. I see that it says it can still produce heat at -5F. I have a garage sim as well and was considering installing one. Part of our house wraps around behind the garage and that room is always too hot in summer and too cold in winter. I am thinking about getting a mini split with two indoor units and single outdoor. My main concern is how well it will actually work in the cold weather. I'm in Mi and it can get quite cold here.

This part is a little confusing though on actual operating temperature.

• Fujitsu's low temperature heating technology allows this condenser to safely maintain its rated capacity in outdoor temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The AOU15RLS3 can operate in heating mode in conditions as low as -5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thought I'd post again on the heat.....

The heat, it's awesome! We hit single digits last week with a lot of wind and the garage can maintain 68 degrees with ease. In about an hour I can go from 48 degrees to the mid 60's. It can get very warm, I am out there hitting in summer golf pants and a T-shirt. It has a low heat mode which can maintain the temp of 50 degrees, I typically leave it at that when temps are down in the 20's. My garage would get to the mid 40's without any heat.

I am out there practically every evening for 2-3 hours. First months electric bill went up about $45, money well spent. Very pleased with the setup, winter in New England isn't so bad anymore!

[LeftyLeff52]

What impact screen you go with and what do you have behind screen looks great

[DMarrero]

I live in CT as well. (Glastonbury). I have a 3 car garage and would love to get heat and AC in there (probably use intermittently). Would you still recommend going with the mini split?

Dan

[cmckelvmi]

Great set-up! Forgive me if you already mentioned this: Did you add any insulation on or around the garage door?

[Fran M]

Great set-up! Forgive me if you already mentioned this: Did you add any insulation on or around the garage door?

I live in CT as well. (Glastonbury). I have a 3 car garage and would love to get heat and AC in there (probably use intermittently). Would you still recommend going with the mini split?

Dan

What impact screen you go with and what do you have behind screen looks great

Cmckelvmi:
I did not add any insulation to the garage doors. The wall of the garage door and wall behind the sportscreen are not insulated. The ceiling and other two side walls are. Those walls are the interior of the house



Dan:
You are more than welcome to come over and check out the setup if you'd like: we are close I am in Bloomfield. If you need the contact for the mini split, let me know. Looking forward to hitting balls in the dead of summer in AC.
I've been hitting a few hundred balls a night since I put it in.


Lefty:

It's a PAr2Pro SQ Raw, I have nothing behind the screen. The Par2 Pro Screen is holding up great, lot of impact into the same area as I've been hitting PW, 9&7 irons. Haven't hit driver yet, been focused on a few swing changes.


I absolutely LOVE this setup. Wife isn't too thrilled being a golf widow all winter long though.

[Ac18]

What size impact screen is that, and how is it attached?

[Fran M]

What size impact screen is that, and how is it attached?

It's 10x12. I had a piece of velcro sewn in at the top of the screen on the 12' edge. This allowed me to roll the screen a few times over to take pressure off the velcro. Some guys use industrial grade velcro that has double sided tape instead. The roller side has a double sided taped piece of velcro attached to it.

The viewing screen ends up being 10x10

[rharris]

WHere did you find those wall mounted mat clips?

[Fran M]

WHere did you find those wall mounted mat clips?

I bought them off Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pc-Stainless-Steel-Automobile-Floor-Mat-Holder-for-Car-Wash-detail-centers/202272321908?hash=item2f185eb174:g:wxkAAOSwaDpauXaM:sc:USPSPriorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!06002!US!-1

[rharris]

Thanks! Appreciate the link

[What4]

What is the name of that teeing contraption you're hitting off of and standing on? (sorry I have no idea what the technical term might be -lol).