IR Remote-Control Checker

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Suitable for any Infra-red emitting device -- 3V battery supply

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Circuit diagram:

Parts:

R1_____________470K  1/4W Resistor
R2______________47R  1/4W Resistor
D1______________LED  (Any dimension, shape and color)
Q1____________Infra-red Photo Transistor (Any cheap type)
Q2____________BC327   45V 800mA PNP Transistor
SW1____________SPST  Toggle or Slide Switch (Optional, see Note)
B1_______________3V Battery (2 x 1.5V AA, AAA or smaller type Cells in series)

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Comments:

A very simple device allowing a quick check of common Infra-red Remote-Controls can be useful to the electronics amateur, frequently asked to repair or test these ubiquitous devices.

A reliable circuit was designed with a handful of components: the LED will flash when any of the Remote-Control pushbuttons will be pressed. The side of the Remote-Control bearing the IR emitting diode(s) must be directed towards the Photo Transistor (Q1) of the checker circuit: maximum distance should not exceed about 20 - 25cm.

Note:

• Current drawing of the circuit is less than 1mA when the LED illuminates and 0mA when no signal is picked-up by the Photo Transistor: therefore, SW1 can be omitted.