Infrared receivers

[ehart]

Hi all,

I have an older Adcom unit that supports multiple "zones". The trick is that the extra zones are not controlled by the main IR receiver on the front of the unit. Instead, there are mini-jacks for IR receivers for zones 2 and 3 (1 jack/receiver each). The unit didn't come with these receivers. I'll see if I can get them from Adcom, but the unit has been out of production for some time, so I don't expect them to offer them.

The question is this -- are these pretty standard items? Can I just pick something up from Radio Shack, solder on a different connector, and be good to go? Or do I need to get the OEM version?

Cordially,

Eric

[The Robman]

In order to provide a meaningful answer, you'd have to be someone who knows something about this Adcom model. I don't know how many people like that are here.

[ehart]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply.

What I meant to ask is this: are *all* IR receivers pretty similar (never mind the Adcom particularly). I think this is probably true, because:

1. Universal remotes work with almost all IR devices. This implies that wavelength, signal strength, and the like are all the same at the receiver end as well as at the transmitter end.

2. The Adcom gives you three different ways to connect an external IR receiver (mini-jack, DIN jack, and screw terminals) because they say they don't know whether you'll use an Adcom IR receiver or someone else's (again, implies that they are pretty much the same at the physical level).

I went ahead and bought a Radio Shack Emitter / Receiver pair for 3 bucks (they each look just like LEDs) today, and will probably give the receiver a try (don't need the emitter).

Thanks again,

Cordially,

Eric

[The Robman]

Sorry, but I don't know.

[johnsfine]

What I meant to ask is this: are *all* IR receivers pretty similar (never mind the Adcom particularly). I think this is probably true,

Depends what you mean by IR receivers:

If you mean electrical components used as IR receivers in a various applications, the answer is definitely no.

There are two-wire components that are basically diodes whose voltage drop measurably changes (at VERY low current) when hit with IR.

There are three-wire components that must be supplied with power and ground and then provide a reasonable strength output signal indicating whether they are hit by IR.

There are components that demodulate the incomming signal.

If you mean IR receive devices that are designed to be remote IR sensors that plug into input jacks for that purpose in various A/V devices, then I don't know the answer. I don't know whether those have the same range of possible design as the lower level components.

1. Universal remotes work with almost all IR devices. This implies that wavelength, signal strength, and the like are all the same at the receiver end as well as at the transmitter end.

Yes. But you aren't really asking about the IR characteristics at the receiving end. You're asking about the electrical characteristics at the pin out of the receiving component.

I went ahead and bought a Radio Shack Emitter / Receiver pair for 3 bucks (they each look just like LEDs) today, and will probably give the receiver a try (don't need the emitter).

I wouldn't have guessed the IR sensor for something like that Adcom would be the same electrical component as the receive half of one of those pairs. But I'm just guessing. Good luck.

BTW, I hope Adcom at least tells you which side of the diode connects to which terminal. At best it only works one of the two ways and damage is likely either puting it backwards or trying it at all if it is the wrong part.

[ehart]

Thanks Jon, perhaps this is harder than I thought.

"There are two-wire components that are basically diodes whose voltage drop measurably changes (at VERY low current) when hit with IR. "

That's what I bought from Radio Shack.

I think you are right, the IR receiver is likely some sort of powered device. I'll see if I can get one of the OEM Adcom receivers.

Thanks again,

eric

[Dabbith]

You may have already found an answer, but many devices that have an IR input are compatible with Xantech equipment. I know most Kenwood devices are compatible. If you have the model number of the Adcom unit I may be able to look it up. An example Xantech compatible receiver can be found here: http://www.smarthome.com/8110.html. Some Xantech models specifically mentioned in my Kenwood documentation are 291-80, 480-30 and 490-30. You may want to try one of those.

[ehart]

Hi all,

I was able to get an OEM unit from Adcom. It's wasn't listed on their site, but after some email back and forth, they added it. It does exactly what I need. Cost was $110 (youch).

- Eric

[Tommy Tyler]

Eric,

For the benefit of other members who may encounter the same problem in the future, can you tell me what the cable connections to the Adcom unit look like, specifically how many wires are in the cable or how many contacts in the connector. A general description of the device also would help, how big it is, size and appearance of the optical device, window, lens, or whatever you shoot at. If it's a powered device there have to be three or more conductors. If there are only two, there's a distinct possibility we could get your Radio Shack device to work. Perhaps you could use it as a spare.

Tommy

[jetskier]

He wanted to use RS available parts to fix his Adcom unit. The receiver/emitter pair was probably just LED's without a supporting circuits. The IR receivers I use in my whole house system are 3 wires (IR-12V-GND). They cost about $50. I blast signals through CAT5 about 100-150ft in my house. They have a good range. I can sit about 35' away and use my 10820 and barely press the key. The unit grabs it no problem. The 12V is provided by my ELAN Home Systems gear you helped decode (RECS90) a couple years ago.

Xantech IR Table Top Receiver