"shake" switch?
I'm not trying to be funny.
Find a pillow. Then slam the remote against it with as force as you can muster, preferably from multiple directions. This might knock loose the sensor. |
"shake" switch?
Hi,
I've got a programmable remote that has a switch inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to see when you have picked the remote *up*). It uses this signal to "turn itself on". Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch. I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on (it then turns off after a short timeout to conserve batteries). I suspect this is just a ball rolling across a set of contacts so that any motion causes a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken* contact to *make*. But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no problem -- just wack the thing until it decides that you have "moved it" : But, if it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling "motion" to the electronics inside), then the batteries get depleted in short order (less than a day!) The switch itself is encased in a metallic jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism). Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement part)? Or, how to *fix* it? Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner isn't a solution... : |
"shake" switch?
William Sommerwerck wrote:
I'm not trying to be funny. Find a pillow. Then slam the remote against it with as force as you can muster, preferably from multiple directions. This might knock loose the sensor. I don't think it is "permanently stuck". I've tried your solution -- *without* the pillow! -- each time it has refused to shut off. So far, it has worked each time. But, it is very inconvenient -- put the remote down and forget to check it 15 seconds later (to verify it has powered down) and you end up with dead batteries! |
"shake" switch?
I've tried your solution -- *without* the pillow! -- each
time it has refused to shut off. So far, it has worked each time. But, it is very inconvenient -- put the remote down and forget to check it 15 seconds later (to verify it has powered down) and you end up with dead batteries! What brand/model is it? Most remotes -- at least, those with a high-drain display -- shut themselves off after a user-selected timeout. |
"shake" switch?
William Sommerwerck wrote:
I've tried your solution -- *without* the pillow! -- each time it has refused to shut off. So far, it has worked each time. But, it is very inconvenient -- put the remote down and forget to check it 15 seconds later (to verify it has powered down) and you end up with dead batteries! What brand/model is it? Most remotes -- at least, those with a high-drain display -- shut themselves off after a user-selected timeout. Something from Radio Shack (I'll have to get a magnifying glass to read the damn microscopic part number molded in the plastic). Yes, this shuts down in about 10-15 seconds. WHEN IT WORKS! (I suspect there may be a way to adjust it -- I know I can adjust the brightnes of the lamp -- but regardless of the timie limit, it still suffers from not wanting to *reliably* turn itself off). I've learned not to give it an *excuse* to stay on. I.e., don't leave it on the sofa as each time you shift your position the thing *wants* to turn on. But, even leaving it on the floor (concrete slab) you have to watch it to make *sure* it turns off. frown I may just remove the damn switch and rely on "pressing a noncritical button" to wake the thing up (though you can't see where the buttons are with the light off!!) |
"shake" switch?
You might want to look at the X-10 universal remote. I got it about two
months ago for $50 and free shipping, though it's not currently available at that price. (Quite a products -- it also controls X-10 modules.) It shuts itself off reliably. |
"shake" switch?
D Yuniskis wrote:
Hi, I've got a programmable remote that has a switch inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to see when you have picked the remote *up*). It uses this signal to "turn itself on". Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch. I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on (it then turns off after a short timeout to conserve batteries). I suspect this is just a ball rolling across a set of contacts so that any motion causes a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken* contact to *make*. But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no problem -- just wack the thing until it decides that you have "moved it" : But, if it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling "motion" to the electronics inside), then the batteries get depleted in short order (less than a day!) The switch itself is encased in a metallic jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism). Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement part)? Or, how to *fix* it? Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner isn't a solution... : Is it possible to make a little hole in it to get some silicone or contact cleaner in there. |
"shake" switch?
D Yuniskis wrote in message
... Hi, I've got a programmable remote that has a switch inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to see when you have picked the remote *up*). It uses this signal to "turn itself on". Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch. I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on (it then turns off after a short timeout to conserve batteries). I suspect this is just a ball rolling across a set of contacts so that any motion causes a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken* contact to *make*. But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no problem -- just wack the thing until it decides that you have "moved it" : But, if it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling "motion" to the electronics inside), then the batteries get depleted in short order (less than a day!) The switch itself is encased in a metallic jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism). Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement part)? Or, how to *fix* it? Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner isn't a solution... : usually called a trembler , see automobile alarm systems |
"shake" switch?
usually called a trembler...
Wasn't that a Vincent Price movie? |
"shake" switch?
William Sommerwerck wrote in message
... usually called a trembler... Wasn't that a Vincent Price movie? Wasn't it the Tingler? The essence of fear taking on the form of a lobster / section of spine, as it is that creature that gives the tingling. Complete with one on a string, run over the heads of the audience in the cinema |
"shake" switch?
usually called a trembler...
Wasn't that a Vincent Price movie? Wasn't it "The Tingler"? Yes. I was being a wise-ass. The essence of fear taking on the form of a lobster / section of spine, as it is that creature that gives the tingling. Complete with one on a string, run over the heads of the audience in the cinema. That was actually a skeleton, in "House on Haunted Hill", dubbed "Emergo". Thought a William Castle production, the movie is quite so bad as you might think. (It's generally considered Herr Schloss's masterpiece.) It's also the first movie with a reference to LSD. Rent "Matinee" if you can find it. It's a spoof of Castle and his ilk. The movie itself is a bit slack and lacks focus, but is worth seeing for John Goodman's performance as Castle -- and even more for his latest film, "Mant!", a perfect send-up of '50s sci-fi/horror flicks. (It even has William Schallert as a libidinous dentist, plus cameos from other veterans of that era.) |
"shake" switch?
On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:35:43 -0800 "William Sommerwerck"
wrote in Message id: : That was actually a skeleton, in "House on Haunted Hill", dubbed "Emergo". Thought a William Castle production, the movie is quite so bad as you might think. (It's generally considered Herr Schloss's masterpiece.) It's also the first movie with a reference to LSD. I LOVE that movie! That was the first movie to give me a real scare when I was a kid - When that old ladies ghost came floating through the wall in the basement I practically ****ed myself. |
"shake" switch?
mark wrote:
D Yuniskis wrote: I suspect this is just a ball rolling across a set of contacts so that any motion causes a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken* contact to *make*. But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no problem -- just wack the thing until it decides that you have "moved it" : But, if it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling "motion" to the electronics inside), then the batteries get depleted in short order (less than a day!) The switch itself is encased in a metallic jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism). Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement part)? Or, how to *fix* it? Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner isn't a solution... : Is it possible to make a little hole in it to get some silicone or contact cleaner in there. I suspect doing so will run a good risk of breaking the thing. Perhaps a small "dremel" drill would be delicate enough. But, I am not sure that even cleaning solution would work. E.g., it's *sealed* so contaminants shouldn't have been a problem. It could just be the "ball" (if that is what's inside) has worn the "lands" on which it rides such that there isn't a reliable contact anymore. Low voltage contacts are notorious for this sort of problem (and I seriously doubt the assembly uses any precious metals to alleviate this!) |
"shake" switch?
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:46:36 -0700, D Yuniskis
put finger to keyboard and composed: I've got a programmable remote that has a switch inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to see when you have picked the remote *up*). It uses this signal to "turn itself on". Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch. I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on (it then turns off after a short timeout to conserve batteries). Could it be a piezo shock sensor? Is it mounted at 45 degrees on the PCB? - Franc Zabkar -- Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email. |
"shake" switch?
Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:46:36 -0700, D Yuniskis put finger to keyboard and composed: I've got a programmable remote that has a switch inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to see when you have picked the remote *up*). It uses this signal to "turn itself on". Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch. I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on (it then turns off after a short timeout to conserve batteries). Could it be a piezo shock sensor? Doubtful. I *really* suspect it is just a metal ball with lots of opportunities to make and break a circuit (and these *differences* are what the processor uses to determine if the device is "being moved") Is it mounted at 45 degrees on the PCB? No. |
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