Looking for a low cost ir solution to the following problem:

I want to install a new radio in my boat. The radio mounts inside the cabin. There is no direct line of sight from the helm to the radio. Looking for a way to carrier the ir from remote to radio. I have nosed around smarthome for a while and can figure out how to do it for a couple hundred but really did not want to spend that much. Any ideas?

Well, if your in direct sunlight, you may not have much luck with anything. But, for about 50 bucks or so you can try the pyramid thingys. I know Powermid X10 makes some, and also RCA. You would point your remote at the transmitter, be transformed into and RF signal, then picked up by the reciever near the radio and then either blasted to the radio from the base, or through an IR eye plugged into the back of the remote.

Usually they are called IR Extenders or something like that. Kinda unreliable, but work and are cheap.

If you want cheap, take your original remote apart, remove the led and solder wires to the board, and connect the wires to the led at the radio.

John

If your on a boat it may be dificult to get rf repeater to work consistantly, or not cause interferance.
Do yourself a favor and hardwire an ir system to communicate to radio.Also Matt is correct locate your target in a shady portion of the bridge.
Your cost in xantech will be about 75 bucks, retail is like 120 + labor . If they own a boat they can afford the convience of ir. If not try the powermids x-10 at 35 bucks , retail 59. Hell you could also use a ziplock bag for the remote. lol

This message was edited by kabster on 06/03/02 02:20.13.

jwalkup: That is exceptionally cheap advice.
Iresq: A little more on the extravagant side, but you could also buy a cheap learning remote (if it would learn your codes) and use jwalkup's suggestion on it if you didn't want to desecrate the original remote. While you've got it apart you could look at ways to seal it and make it more water resistant. I don't know if you're on salt water but there are also a few all purpose electronic circuit board sprays that have oxide inhibiting properties.

Depending on the radio you have, Radio Shack has a remote that sends out RF to a station that converts the signal to IR. Works great on my system. The down side is it doesn't learn.

Rob
[Link: geocities.com]

You might want to check on Ebay for a
RABBIT system. They're old but work
pretty well transfering remote signals
over thin wire. I saw one on ebay a
couple days ago. You point your remote
at one box , it sends the signal over
the wire to the other box. Than it
uses a repeater to control your radio.
Oh and the one I saw on ebay the
seller was from Maryland.

This message was edited by edmund on 06/03/02 23:45.52.

Both Edmund and Nutsf15 and I gave the same idea to end confusion (if there was any)

Iresq: I keep getting this picture of whatever remote is chosen somehow sliding overboard. (That is EXACTLY what WOULD happen to me.) You originally seemed concerned with controlling the radio from the helm and I envisioned the remote fastened down with Velcro® or otherwise mounted close to the controls for the boat.

The RF solution would definitely give you freedom of movement. Not knowing how large a vessel you captain I can't speak to the benefits of being able to roam. If you've got a deck large enough to sunbathe on, it would be nice to control from anywhere.

Look @ the Microsmith Inc - Hot Link Pro item - Works very well for A/V equipment behind doors and even increases your IR range - Search Google.com or try avsmarts

ADD

A direct hit with only 3 characters

Sorry was not trying to be a add, if you notice we barely post here anymore due to other sites trying to sell their goods. Was only making a suggestion - Trying to throw my 2 cents in.

Last boat I did we flushed mounted a Xantech LM110 one gang IR touchpad under a decora/gfi weather proof flip up cover on the captains control panel next to the steering wheel. It is impervious to sunlight and the only real solution that will work during the daytime.

eric: I for one totally appreciate that you are a "Major sponser of Remotecentral". (Excerpted from eric's profile.) I am going to make a concentrated effort to buy my next accessory from an outfit that advertises on this site. I only say accessory because I'm flush for a while on major equipment.

That said, I must admit that I have been guilty of a kind of advertising on this site. The difference is I'm a fan of the equipment I champion and will not make a nickel if some palooka from "Joy-zee" buys a product I suggest because I think it might suit his needs. (Quote credits to Bugs Bunny)

I've seen two cases where the "posters" on this site dealt handily with people trying to hock goods in the wrong thread. I think this crowd polices itself quite well.

I’m going to suggest that everyone give www._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.com (Eric’s website) the once over so we can support RemoteCentral.


This place gives everyone high and low on the A/V foodchain access to valuable advice derived from first-hand experience with products we may be considering ourselves, products we didn't know existed, along with some great how to's AND advice on when NOT to. For those of us with the DIY bug that cutoff point is often a point well taken. (And quite often a point missed -> Dude! I hacked my gypsum!) There is a point when a bullhorn should blast "Back away from the Sawzall, give back that multi-meter you borrowed, and call a pro."