[Robotgroup] Troubleshooting TV remote control

[Def Egge]

Thanks for the tips, Andre'.

I read somewhere a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) that the  
IR LEDs used in remote controls don't handle continuous operation very  
well.  I cannot put my finger on the source but the 'fact' stuck in my  
head.

I do not have a compatible remote for this set.  I will search for the  
specs on the TV as well as for the remote.


Quoting Andre Lamothe <ceo at nurve.net>:

> Boy, the chances of the IR led going are 1 in a million. Definitely scope
> the LED voltage to see what the peak to peak is, some leds have more or less
> forward voltage and the one that it uses might take more or less, so the rad
> shack might not work. The wavelength is probably ok since there's a lot of
> room for error in that with IR. Do you have another set that is compatible
> with the remote, remember, the TV's IR receiver might have went bad :) So
> you are at the wrong end of the problem. But, if you're lucky, sound like
> you have a bad IR LED.
>
> Also, if you really want to be a nerd see if you can find the tech specs for
> the TV online, they always have the remote with them and the wavelength etc.
> of the IR emiiter as well.
>
> Andre'
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Def Egge" <robodigest at innervate.com>
> To: "The Robot Group" <robotgroup at puremagic.com>
> Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:14 PM
> Subject: [Robotgroup] Troubleshooting TV remote control
>
>
>
> TV remote went south after a night of being lost somewhere in the
> interior of a recliner.
>
> Batteries were low - replaced....
>
> Contacts cleaned to be certain....
>
> Confirm that digital camera can detect IR pulses on a working
> remote....
>
> Checked for IR pulses with digital camera - nothing....
>
> Checked as much of the analog circuitry as I am able - no obvious
> failed components nor broken leads / traces in PCB....
>
> Soldered visible LED across the leads of the IR LED in the remote -
> Ah ha!  Visible LED pulses....
>
> Need to replace 5mm IR LED - Rat Shack carries a 1.2V 5 mm IR LED
> (940 nm), model 276-143   Problem solved?
>
>
>
> --
>
> All the best....
>
> Mike
>
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-- 


All the best....


Mike