Zak wrote:
On 17 Feb 2006, JANA wrote:

Your remote was designed to use a particular IR LED on its
output. If you were to put in a stronger LED design of the
driver circuits for the LED would have to also be modified to be
able to supply the new device. In the end, I would think this to
not be feasible.

Also, there are most likely more efficient IR LED's around, but
you would have to first work out the specs of the origional one,
and then search out for an equivlent replacement that are more
efficient. This may avoid any necessary modifications.

Considering that your TV and remote is very old, you should be
considering a new system, rather than trying to modify it. In
both the TV and remote, it is very probable that some of the
components have drifted slightly out of specs over the years.

I have seen in some places that sell TV's and sound systems, a
gadget that is called a remote control repeater. It is a unit
that sees the IR from the user's remote control, and repeats it
on its output. You only have to face the repeater in the
direction where you want the IR beam to go. On the opposite
side, it has a receiver for the user's remote. This also works
very well under the proper conditions.


Overall consensus seems to be to leave it alone. Pity. Ok then I
guess tha's the best option. Thanks to all.


Zak

Dont give up.

Advice such as "If you were to put in a stronger led..." and suchlike
is mere gobblydegook.

The existing led has a peak wavelength of either 880 or 940nm.
You need to get the right wavelength.

Then, to a first approximation, the efficacy (output) of all modern 5mm
IR leds is pretty much the same from the major manufactureres. However
the dispersion angle (2 theta 1/2) will greatly affect the range
obtained - just like visible leds where a narrower angle makes the led
'brighter' on axis but dimmer away from the axis etc.

Yes modern IR leds are more efficacious that those of 15 years ago.
Yes your old led will likely not be emitting anywhere near the power
that it did when new - all leds, including IR leds, degrade with time.
IR leds are generally bashed quite heavily and can show marked
degradation with use. (The leds only degrade significantly with use).

Since current peaks are large put decent batteries in your remote.
*NOT* heavy duty marked batteries - this type of battery is not
intended for significant current peaks - use high power alkalines..