[RB] at Embedded Lab sent in a great guide on how to control appliances with a remote control using a really clever implementation of a decade counter and IR receiver.
The build itself is very simple – just a relay connected to mains power and a handful of resistors and transistors. The device is controlled with a decade counter and an infrared module usually found tucked away in the bezel of a TV.
When everything is plugged in, the first pulse from the remote switches the relay on, providing power to the outlet. When a second pulse is received, the reset pin on the decade counter is activated, setting the device back to its original off state. It’s a pretty clever build, and could be built with parts lying around the bench.
The project is powered through wall power with the help of a transformer and a 7805 regulator, but we think the size could be reduced with a pass-through power enclosure – the circuit certainly is small enough. In all, a very nice, low component count build.
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Great work good keep it up.
I like that….
IR-543 X10 Command Console By X10 Usa
and kind of control lots of lights.
Kind of because X10 is the crappiest control system ever invented.
So the light will go on/off any time it gets a modulated IR signal? No much use in a room with a tv, hifi etc!
I have that exact X10 IR module and a few X10′s controlling lights and lamps. I will agree that it’s essentially a really bad control system and susceptible to all kinds of noise and interference. However, it works well enough in my apt so that I don’t need to go out of my way to build something.
Cool hack though, very useful.
While most of X10′s components are indeed crap.. if you spend a little more and get one of these nice, multi-home-code RF receivers with dedicated coax antenna:
http://www.wgldesigns.com/v572.html
Then X10 ends up working MUCH more reliably/smoothly. Add a few SmartHome/INSTEON components and things really start working smoothly. :)
If you really want nice stuff.. Look into the newer UPB standard and devices:
http://digitalavnew.com/what_is_upb.htm
Tweeks
The world is now reaching a high point in laziness!
Kind of primitive, but good idea.
here are two DIY alternatives that are IR noise-immune: http://bit.ly/ccE1bS and http://bit.ly/cgNKuK
Back when i was in high school i built something similar. It had 2 lamps to control and cycled through 4 states: all off, lamp 1 on, lamp 2 on, both on. The design was similar except that i bought two receivers, one in the 38KHz range and one in the 56KHz range to test which reacts to my TV tuner remote(the only one i used in that room). Then i used the other one for the project and made a simple emitter with a 555. The project is simple, but not practical. We need micros for this!