Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
Hi Guys.
I have a customer who has 3 Infrared Remote Ceiling Fan Controllers (No Name Brand). The Receiver has Live and Neutral in, Fan Live Out, Light Live Out, and Neutral Out. She actually has about 6 of these installed in her house, and all work fine except for these two. The Controls have a High, Medium, Low and Off Fan Button, and a Light Button that cycles between off and 5 levels of brightness. The 3 have the problem as follows: Light Brightness works fine, until you switch the fan on. once you switch the fan on, it operates at the speed you selected, but then the receiver stops responding [the piezo buzzer in the receiver does not even beep to indicate that it received a valid button press.] , and just holds the same state (Brightness and Fan Speed). The only way to get the receiver responding again, is to remove the power, and reapply it after about 20s. I have tried the receivers at another location (at my offices), with a different fan, and have tried several remotes, and IR sensors, all with the same result. Anybody had any experience on these [with the problem]? P |
#2
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
The reciever most likely has failed parts. This is not something you
will be able to service yourself unless you can have a means and the skills to troubleshoot it. I am sure that the manufacture does not support service for this type of unit because of the service cost. If you can find out the manufacture of the particuler receiver you have, you may be able to buy a new replacement, if the cost is feasible. If you contact the dealer where the fans were bought, they may be able to give you a contact for spare parts. Jerry G. ====== On Oct 12, 5:04 pm, "Peter K" wrote: Hi Guys. I have a customer who has 3 Infrared Remote Ceiling Fan Controllers (No Name Brand). The Receiver has Live and Neutral in, Fan Live Out, Light Live Out, and Neutral Out. She actually has about 6 of these installed in her house, and all work fine except for these two. The Controls have a High, Medium, Low and Off Fan Button, and a Light Button that cycles between off and 5 levels of brightness. The 3 have the problem as follows: Light Brightness works fine, until you switch the fan on. once you switch the fan on, it operates at the speed you selected, but then the receiver stops responding [the piezo buzzer in the receiver does not even beep to indicate that it received a valid button press.] , and just holds the same state (Brightness and Fan Speed). The only way to get the receiver responding again, is to remove the power, and reapply it after about 20s. I have tried the receivers at another location (at my offices), with a different fan, and have tried several remotes, and IR sensors, all with the same result. Anybody had any experience on these [with the problem]? P |
#3
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
Peter K wrote:
The 3 have the problem as follows: Light Brightness works fine, until you switch the fan on. once you switch the fan on, it operates at the speed you selected, but then the receiver stops responding [the piezo buzzer in the receiver does not even beep to indicate that it received a valid button press.] , and just holds the same state (Brightness and Fan Speed). I wonder whether the fan is generating enough noise to crash the microcontroller? Perhaps a suppressor has gone, or the power supply drops out enough to crash it when the fan's running? I'd look at the supply rails on a scope to see what happens. Just a thought... Theo |
#4
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
Hi Theo
I thought about the Fan generating too much noise, but I get the exact same result with just the light connected. (Removed the Live to the Motor). So it seems to be something else. I have checked the 3 main caps with a normal ohm meter, and they seem to be ok (with the value increasing up to a point, reverse the polarity of the test leads, and the value again increases to the same point). I do not have an ESR meter though, so if somebody thinks it is the caps, then I will go and sub them. The unit costs about R280.00, ($37US), and in South Africa, it is a lot for a Pensioner just to fork out to replace the unit. P "Theo Markettos" wrote in message ... Peter K wrote: The 3 have the problem as follows: Light Brightness works fine, until you switch the fan on. once you switch the fan on, it operates at the speed you selected, but then the receiver stops responding [the piezo buzzer in the receiver does not even beep to indicate that it received a valid button press.] , and just holds the same state (Brightness and Fan Speed). I wonder whether the fan is generating enough noise to crash the microcontroller? Perhaps a suppressor has gone, or the power supply drops out enough to crash it when the fan's running? I'd look at the supply rails on a scope to see what happens. Just a thought... Theo |
#5
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
Ok, Step further now.
With both the fan and light disconnected (but power applied), checked with a DC Voltmeter the voltage going to the IR receiver (and the single chip on the controller board). Getting a nice stable 6 volts. But when i press a button to turn the fan on, the voltage drops to about 3 volts (within 2 seconds). During the time that the voltage is dropping, the receiver still responds. but after that 2 sec time, it no longer responds. There is 1 transistor that runs the light circuit, and 3 transistors for the fan circuit. Pulling the 3 fan transistors, and then trying, the voltage does not drop, and the receiver keeps on responding. Looks to me like the trannies are drawing to much power, and loading down the low voltage. The circuit does not have any transformer, so it looks like it has another way of reducing the mains voltage down to the 6v. I have replaced all the caps I had stock of, and all the resistors check within range. Can anybody venture at a guess of whether there is a problem in the tranny stage, or in the power reducer (not being able to supply current under the load of the chip driving the trannies) Thanks P "Theo Markettos" wrote in message ... Peter K wrote: The 3 have the problem as follows: Light Brightness works fine, until you switch the fan on. once you switch the fan on, it operates at the speed you selected, but then the receiver stops responding [the piezo buzzer in the receiver does not even beep to indicate that it received a valid button press.] , and just holds the same state (Brightness and Fan Speed). I wonder whether the fan is generating enough noise to crash the microcontroller? Perhaps a suppressor has gone, or the power supply drops out enough to crash it when the fan's running? I'd look at the supply rails on a scope to see what happens. Just a thought... Theo |
#6
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
"Peter K" wrote in message ... Ok, Step further now. With both the fan and light disconnected (but power applied), checked with a DC Voltmeter the voltage going to the IR receiver (and the single chip on the controller board). Getting a nice stable 6 volts. But when i press a button to turn the fan on, the voltage drops to about 3 volts (within 2 seconds). During the time that the voltage is dropping, the receiver still responds. but after that 2 sec time, it no longer responds. There is 1 transistor that runs the light circuit, and 3 transistors for the fan circuit. Pulling the 3 fan transistors, and then trying, the voltage does not drop, and the receiver keeps on responding. Looks to me like the trannies are drawing to much power, and loading down the low voltage. The circuit does not have any transformer, so it looks like it has another way of reducing the mains voltage down to the 6v. I have replaced all the caps I had stock of, and all the resistors check within range. Can anybody venture at a guess of whether there is a problem in the tranny stage, or in the power reducer (not being able to supply current under the load of the chip driving the trannies) Thanks P The power supply is probably a mylar capacitor and a zener diode. Try changing that capacitor, if it's bad, the psu cannot supply enough current. |
#7
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
Hi All.
Here is a controller that is highly similar to the one that I am talking about : http://cgi.ebay.com/harbor-breeze-ce...photoh osting BTW James, If I substitute the cap, do I have to use a mylar (during the test), or will any cap with the same voltage and cap rating work? I have not seen a Zener on the board (though the places that are marked for Zeners have resistor-like components in them - do they do zeners that look like resistors?) I have tried googling the powersupply as you have suggested it is, but cannot find any more info on it. Does anybody have a proper name for it ? Peter The power supply is probably a mylar capacitor and a zener diode. Try changing that capacitor, if it's bad, the psu cannot supply enough current. |
#8
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Remote Fan Controller (IR)
Looks like the Cap (0.6uF I think) and the 48v Zener are in parallel.
Am I looking at the right part of the cct? Also, if it is the right part, how does the voltage get down to 6v for the IR Detector and Chip? P "James Sweet" wrote in message news:AiOQi.5950$I22.4787@trndny03... "Peter K" wrote in message ... Ok, Step further now. With both the fan and light disconnected (but power applied), checked with a DC Voltmeter the voltage going to the IR receiver (and the single chip on the controller board). Getting a nice stable 6 volts. But when i press a button to turn the fan on, the voltage drops to about 3 volts (within 2 seconds). During the time that the voltage is dropping, the receiver still responds. but after that 2 sec time, it no longer responds. There is 1 transistor that runs the light circuit, and 3 transistors for the fan circuit. Pulling the 3 fan transistors, and then trying, the voltage does not drop, and the receiver keeps on responding. Looks to me like the trannies are drawing to much power, and loading down the low voltage. The circuit does not have any transformer, so it looks like it has another way of reducing the mains voltage down to the 6v. I have replaced all the caps I had stock of, and all the resistors check within range. Can anybody venture at a guess of whether there is a problem in the tranny stage, or in the power reducer (not being able to supply current under the load of the chip driving the trannies) Thanks P The power supply is probably a mylar capacitor and a zener diode. Try changing that capacitor, if it's bad, the psu cannot supply enough current. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Sharp TV / VCR Remote Codes - GE Universal Remote | Electronics Repair | |||
Replacing a mechanical central heating controller with remote thermostat | UK diy | |||
can't get MX-500 universal remote to work with Directv H20 remote | Electronics Repair | |||
how to open remote controller SONY RM-PP411 | Electronics Repair | |||
Oneforall URC 3021 universal remote controller | Electronics Repair |