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Topic:
Front Blaster failure on MRF-250
This thread has 11 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday March 28, 2012 at 21:59
Herman Trivilino
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I'm using a MX-850 and a MRF-250 in a classroom. I have one flasher on the projector, but the rest of the gear is in a tower and gets its IR signals from the Front Baster on the MRF-250. After several years of faithful service, it's as if the Front Blaster is not emitting IR signals. (The LED indicator light blinks whenever it's supposed to, indicating the IR signals are being sent, but the gear in the tower doesn't respond!)

The projector gets its signals from the flasher just fine.

This event happened to coincide with the MX-850 needing new batteries.

Does anybody have a guess as to what might be wrong, or anything I can do to try and fix the problem?
Origin: Big Bang
Post 2 made on Wednesday March 28, 2012 at 23:40
Burt
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You might want to check the mx-850 programming software (CCP I think) just to make sure the front blaster didn't somehow get turned off.
Post 3 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 00:00
kgossen
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Need the stand alone editor for the 850.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
OP | Post 4 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 08:20
Herman Trivilino
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The IR blaster is set to "ON".
Origin: Big Bang
Post 5 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 09:41
kgossen
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Then it sounds like the blaster could be broken. You could try power cycling it just for fun but could mean buying a new RF base station.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
OP | Post 6 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 12:24
Herman Trivilino
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I have tried power cycling it. Instead of replacing it, one work-around would be to relocate it and use flashers to control the four pieces of gear in the tower (TV-monitor, DVD/VCR combo, laser disk player, and AVR).

I'd need to get an extension cord, then, for the flasher that runs to the projector.

This would probably end up being a better configuration as occasionally students do walk in the path of the IR beam and block the signals. It's a pain, though, to have to reconfigure everything.
Origin: Big Bang
Post 7 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 14:55
kgossen
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On March 29, 2012 at 12:24, Herman Trivilino said...
I have tried power cycling it. Instead of replacing it, one work-around would be to relocate it and use flashers to control the four pieces of gear in the tower (TV-monitor, DVD/VCR combo, laser disk player, and AVR).

I'd need to get an extension cord, then, for the flasher that runs to the projector.

This would probably end up being a better configuration as occasionally students do walk in the path of the IR beam and block the signals. It's a pain, though, to have to reconfigure everything.

It might be a pain to do but the reliability factor upgrade will be worth it! Extend the IR bug using Cat5 or any small 2 conductor cable. I've done Cat5 IR extensions over 150' with zero issues.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
OP | Post 8 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 19:44
Herman Trivilino
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On March 29, 2012 at 14:55, kgossen said...
It might be a pain to do but the reliability factor upgrade will be worth it! Extend the IR bug using Cat5 or any small 2 conductor cable. I've done Cat5 IR extensions over 150' with zero issues.

Do you splice into the original cable, or use connectors and make an "extension cord".
Origin: Big Bang
Post 9 made on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 21:30
kgossen
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On March 29, 2012 at 19:44, Herman Trivilino said...
Do you splice into the original cable, or use connectors and make an "extension cord".

Up to you. I usually cut off the end and solder new cable in place. I don't like adding extra connectors as it just adds 1 more possible failure point. You could easily crimp them as well.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
OP | Post 10 made on Friday March 30, 2012 at 20:44
Herman Trivilino
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On March 29, 2012 at 21:30, kgossen said...
Up to you. I usually cut off the end and solder new cable in place. I don't like adding extra connectors as it just adds 1 more possible failure point. You could easily crimp them as well.

So, you don't run into that nasty problem you get when splicing headphone cables? Each individucal strand of the braided cables are covered with some kind of insulator like maybe lacquer? Don't know why they do that.

I went digging in the cabinets and shelfs today and found the extra flashers that came with the original purchase. I'll see if I can get it all connected Monday morning. You're right, it'll be a far better arrangement.
Origin: Big Bang
Post 11 made on Saturday March 31, 2012 at 10:16
kgossen
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On March 30, 2012 at 20:44, Herman Trivilino said...
So, you don't run into that nasty problem you get when splicing headphone cables? Each individucal strand of the braided cables are covered with some kind of insulator like maybe lacquer? Don't know why they do that.

Haven't ever had an IR emitter with this type of cable because it's not needed. You shouldn't have any problems.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
OP | Post 12 made on Monday April 2, 2012 at 15:25
Herman Trivilino
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It took a couple of hours but I got everything hooked up and the remote programmed. Now, I just have to make it look perty!

Thanks for the help.
Origin: Big Bang


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