Can Old Remotes Work Different Mechanisms?

[Abraham]

What do I mean?

I've a number of old t.v. remotes and, (I've not yet started my search for them - they're in a drawer somewhere) some other types of remotes.

However, I need an extra one to operate a gate opener and it occurred to me that perhaps these old remotes could possibly be drafted into service to operate other devices. Maybe...?

Anyone know the details of this idea being possible or completely not doable.

Thanks

[seamusTX]

TV remotes use infrared light. Garage door openers and the like use radio. If the remote that you have does not have an LED on it, you're not going to be able to use a TV remote.

Also, some years ago, the manufacturers of these things agreed to a set of frequencies and codes to prevent remotes from accidentally operating the wrong device. You wouldn't want someone else's remote to open your car, for example.

You might find a spare remote on eBay. I found over 400 garage-door remotes.

- Jim

[DoubleJ]

you mean you can't teach an old remote new tricks????

[Abraham]

Jim,

Thanks for your help.

I'm quite the ignoramus when it comes to thinks electronic or mechanical.

Vegetable and mineral too...

[Bunkins]

Last winter I designed and built a infrared decoder.. I was curious to see how many remotes would have atleast 1 key that matched on another remote.. Out of 20 remotes I didnt find any.. Though I know some of the really old remotes, some did share a few of the same "codes".. Although I could not find any other those remotes to test, I know from when I was a kid we had a TV remote that would sometimes turn the VCR on..

Upon further research I found that the code the manufactures use is actually very complex.. So finding a remote that will operate something other than what it was intended to control probably isnt going to happen..

[TDDude]

The higher end control systems can be programmed with specific codes for your devices. Sometimes the IR codes can be downloaded from the manufacturers website to where you don't need the original remote.

If you are really into the home automation stuff and don't want to do it yourself, you would hire someone like myself to set it up and program it for you.

One of the lower priced major companies is called Xantech. Just do a google search and let those gearhead juices start to flow.

You start thinking, "Hey, I can start my coffeepot in the morning from my bedroom because the pressure pad in my shower bathmat triggers my coffeepot to start but only if I shower between 5 and 7 in the morning. Or you program soft running lights from your guest room to the kitchen in case your weekend guests get hungry in the middle of the night and you don't want them getting lost in your mansion.

Yea, I know it's campy but hey, it's fun to dream up.

[Abraham]

Solution Found: Sanford and Son (talk about campy...) had the very one I need for $12.75 delivered.

Such a deal!

[jimlongley]

Last winter I designed and built a infrared decoder.. I was curious to see how many remotes would have atleast 1 key that matched on another remote.. Out of 20 remotes I didnt find any.. Though I know some of the really old remotes, some did share a few of the same "codes".. Although I could not find any other those remotes to test, I know from when I was a kid we had a TV remote that would sometimes turn the VCR on..

Upon further research I found that the code the manufactures use is actually very complex.. So finding a remote that will operate something other than what it was intended to control probably isnt going to happen..

Old IR remotes used fairly simple coding, which made them subject to falsing from sunbeams. My parents bought my grandmother a tv with one of the early remote systems and she used to get mad enough to swear when a glint of sunshine would switch off "Guiding Light."

Before IR, some remotes were sonar like, emitting sounds detected by a microphone on the tv, several problems were endemic to that genre of remote, sme people and mostpets could hear the supposedly ultrasonic tones, and some sound generating devices could also cause falses.

There were also wired remotes.

As technology improved and people wanted more options than: on/off; channel up/down; and volume up/down, the coding schemes came into being, with each manufacturer deciding on their own coding scheme.

[/cliff]

[seamusTX]

Before IR, some remotes were sonar like, emitting sounds detected by a microphone on the tv, several problems were endemic to that genre of remote, sme people and mostpets could hear the supposedly ultrasonic tones, and some sound generating devices could also cause falses.

That was the state of the art in the 1970s. I took one apart back then. It was entirely mechanical. It contained several metal bars like a xylophone. Pushing the buttons struck the bars in various combinations. The scheme was clever for the capabilities of the time, and it didn't require batteries.

- Jim

[tfrazier]

Perhaps you've heard of the one-button universal TV remote, TV-B-Gone? Here's a true story about the one I bought for Robin:

Click here for the story (WARNING:Do not attempt the pranks in this article, it is intended as a humorous story only and the actions described should not be imitated by anyone, anywhere due to possible social repercussions.)

[lrb111]

That sounds like the big "Space Commander" remote, Jim.

[seamusTX]

Talk about a blast from the past:
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/displays/m ... testgadget" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The remote that I took apart was a little more complicated. It could turn the TV on and off and adjust the volume.

- Jim

[lrb111]

My full time job is with catv/internet. I actually saw one of those, and the tv, last year. I just kept mumbling "no waaay".

[jimlongley]

Perhaps you've heard of the one-button universal TV remote, TV-B-Gone? Here's a true story about the one I bought for Robin:

Click here for the story (WARNING:Do not attempt the pranks in this article, it is intended as a humorous story only and the actions described should not be imitated by anyone, anywhere due to possible social repercussions.)

When I worked at TSA, our break room was plagued by people who would turn up some inane show and leave it there. Like a waiting room there were other people trying to do other things there, like use the phone, and the noise was just plain annoying to others.

I bought one of those little "universal" remotes on ebay, and had an asolute blast for a while, changing channes, muting, turning off, and such, and I never got caught. The only reason I stopped is that the little remote stopped functioning.

[Keith B]

Perhaps you've heard of the one-button universal TV remote, TV-B-Gone? Here's a true story about the one I bought for Robin:

Click here for the story (WARNING:Do not attempt the pranks in this article, it is intended as a humorous story only and the actions described should not be imitated by anyone, anywhere due to possible social repercussions.)

When I worked at TSA, our break room was plagued by people who would turn up some inane show and leave it there. Like a waiting room there were other people trying to do other things there, like use the phone, and the noise was just plain annoying to others.

I bought one of those little "universal" remotes on ebay, and had an asolute blast for a while, changing channes, muting, turning off, and such, and I never got caught. The only reason I stopped is that the little remote stopped functioning.

I like it. May have to get one for the gym!

Reminds me of the little X-band radar transmitter I have. It was a blast to be driving down the highway and have someone come flying by me with a radar detector on their dash. Hit the button and watch the car do a nosedive. There even used to be a point system where you could keep score if you got them to brake multiple times, change lanes, etc. It was negative points if you caused them to get into an accident though.

The only problem now is most detectors allow you to turn off different bands as many automatic door openers use X or K band and most departments use either K, Ka band radar guns or Lidar. However, I have seen a few of the little small rural departments buying refurbished X-band guns now as they can get them cheap and if you have X turned off on your detector, you will fall victim to their trap.