$3.50 DIY TV-B-Gone Micro

Step 20 Update: Using a v1.2 Preprogrammed Chip

Due to the requests for preprogrammed chips, I made a modification to the design so that you can use Ladayada's preprogrammed chips with v1.2 firmware. It requires a PNP transistor instead of a NPN, and the way every thing is hooked up is different. I have not tested it, but it should work.

Buy the preprogrammed chip here for $5: http://www.adafruit.com/products/75

The circuit layout will be slightly different than the one for the Instructable.

Comments

[acerpeng229]

what pnp transistor to use

[dark sponge]

Pretty much any generic PNP transistor will work for version 1.2 unless you find something with a really low gain or low power handling. Just make sure you match up the emitter, base, and collector according to the package and you should be fine.

[acerpeng229]

can it be used in malaysia and all around the world??

Thanks, DARK SPONGE

[kill_them_now]

malaysia eh?nk troll orang ke?hahaha

[dark sponge]

It depends on what models of TVs are common there. You would probably want to install a switch like the one detailed in this forum

http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=24377

in order to change between American and European codes. I don't know how well either of these codes would work in Malaysia, it depends on where the TVs there come from and if they are different models. Most likely they are not, but that's just my initial thought.

[pac-man]

Hi so does it actually work because I would like to build one if it does.Nice instructable by the way =).

[dark sponge]

I myself have not built 1.2, but one person said they said success with this method and had fun turning TVs off at Best Buy.

[charchar97]

has any1 actually made this?

[pgraham]

It doesn't work with the 1.2 pre-programmed chip as drawn. The problem is just in the connection of the switch. positive voltage should go from the battery/capacitor straight to pin 8 (not through the switch), and then pin 1 should be connected to ground through the switch. See the standard v1.2 schematic at http://www.ladyada.net/make/tvbgone/design.html.

[dark sponge]

If it doesn't work, that's not the reason why. I changed their design on purpose so that it is only on while the button is pressed. This saves some battery and does not change whether it works or not. I did the same thing on my other design which I know works.

[pgraham]

Ah, so with your version of the switch you need to hold the button down while it sends the codes, until your target tv turns off, is that right? I will try it again that way with your switch - you're right, it should save battery. I just have it breadboarded for now. I didn't change anything else, though I found it very low power (short range). I added 2 driver NPNs on the LEDs controlled by the PNP as in the official schematic and got much better range, and it doesn't add much bulk.

[charchar97]

for me it didnt work

[Gibson_SG_95]

Great! Thanks for the schematic. Parts from mouser shipped today, and should get here on wednesday. As for the 1.2 chip, i havent recieved a shipping confirmation yet, but im guessing it should get here around the same day. (Both ordered the same day, both shipping via UPS ground) I'll let you know when its finished!

[charchar97]

hey im thinking of making it. did it ever work. please email me back. i would like to make a small one.

[soccer1223335]

Hi Gibson, could you take pictures when your finished with yours? I just ordered the 1.2 chip and want to make sure everythings going to be connected to the right spots on the chip. I have a difficult time reading the schematics...

[Gibson_SG_95]

Yeah, im going to post some pics of it when its all done. Im no schematic expert either, but im going to pick it apart and figure it out. But yeah, id be glad to help.

[soccer1223335]

Alright like i just need the schematics turned into words like solder pin x to x. Or pictures of it when your done so i can find out what to soldier parts to :P thanks for the help.

[Gibson_SG_95]

Yeah i'll do my best. The pre programmed chip just got here now from adafruit, and the other parts should be arriving tomorrow.

[soccer1223335]

i just got all my parts. I got the pre programmed chip and all the other parts. Still no clue how to read it though.. let me know how you do!