Re: Home IR Control

[Lewis Gardner <lgardner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> <stuff snipped>
>
>>Unfortunately (as you now realize) you wasted a good bit of
>>money on the Powermids.
>
> Have to disagree on that.  I think I got three sets for under $100 and that
> was at least 10 years ago.  Once I learned how to place them (deep inside a
> bookcase, mostly, away from other electronics and direct light) and zoned
> them using appliance modules (they are only on when needed) they worked out
> pretty nicely.

Since you quoted Worthington prices than you know that a complete 3
receiver 4 emitter Xantech setup would cost less than $200. By the time
you bought the Powermids ($100 in 1995 = $124 in 2005) and X-10 stuff
(at least $30) and figured out how to make it work the price seems to be
a wash to me.


>>If you are into soldering and can figure out a
>>circuit you might try replacing the sensors in the Powermids with Vishay
>>units.
>
> That may be a little beyond me unless it's literally as simple as pulling
> out one three-legged IR receiver package and soldering in another.  What
> would be even better is if I could remove the IR eye from the Powermid and
> put it on a long stalk so I could conceal it in something artsy for high
> SAF.

Not a "long stalk" but a piece of two conductor shielded cable would
most likely work. Check the Powermids, if they use a 3 pin IR module it
might be as easy as a straight replacement. Be sure to check voltages.
What have you got to loose?


> I'm betting that the CFL resistant IR receiver is probably more of a Vishay
> achievement than a Xantech one - by which I mean the smarts to reject CFL is
> probably in the 3 pin Vishay receiver and not downstream in the Xantech
> circuitry.

The Xantech 291-80 CFL friendly receivers have 2 IR modules, 4 or 5
transistors and about 15 other components in them. Not included in the
parts count but included in the reasonable (to me) price is over 20
years of experience in IR repeater systems. Unless you needed a bunch of
IR receivers and have lots of time on your hands I can't see the economy
of DIY on this item.

Best of luck.