DIY Cheap IR Reflector for a Remote Control

This is a really easy hack for a remote control that can boost its signal power by creating a reflector behind the IR Emmiter. And it Definitely works. Now I can actually Use the controller. I got the idea for this when I was thinking about a way to increase its power. I was about to go down to Radio Shack to buy a second IR Transmitter, but then I realized that it would be much simpler to just put a mirror like device to focus the beam, instead of adding the extra emmiter to strengthen it.

Step 1 Materials Needed

Materials:

1. The Victim Remote
2. Aluminum or Tin Foil
3. Tape
4. Opening Tool

The Opening tool can vary for different remotes. My old Sony remote only need a chisel to pry it open, because it had no screws and such.

Comments

[lmaccaskill]

" 'I' before 'E', except after 'C' ". Remember that from Third Grade? It's "piece", not "peice". Handy Instructable. Thanks.

[pantalone]

Clever idea, cheap, easy, and effective!

[RedFlash]

Got a pretty cool test for it. Grab a phone or camera. Put it in picture mode. Hold the remote infront of the camera and press a button. Nice purple lights...

[toogers]

you should've used an IR laser diode instead of an led, you could aim it at the t.v.

[peterlonz]

I get the concept but the pics in step 7 just are not clear enough & you offer little in the way of explanation. Perhaps for those of us less knowledgeable you might care to further explain this step. For example is it fairly important to keep the reflector foil free of wrinkles, & is the shape important. Good work appreciate what you have done.

[makkerc]

Actually works a Treat!!

[digitalenigma]

Good idea, i have a smaller remote so i just wrapped a strip of foil about 3/4ths as wide as the bulb around the length of it carefully (avoiding the leads) and gently placed it back into the mounts on the remote case seemed to increase my range but now im thinking of opening up the front a little and maybe making a parabollic type reflector to increase the spread of the beam as to decrease the marksmanship needed to change a channel!

[ReCreate]

take the batteries out before opening it you don't want to get a nasty electric shock XD

[fwjs28]

ha ha centrum......

[icedog515]

i dont exactly 'get' it, but il take these comments for help..

[cowscankill]

lol great! i'l try this on my remote! I need to open it anyway, 'cause somthin's ratlin' in ther'

[frankly1970]

The most amazingly fabo way to boost you remote's incident of angular operation (i.a.o. for short) is to attach a very short bit of rounded plexi rod to the i.r. receiving end (t.v. for instance). The clear plexi rod can be made into a miniature fish-eye lens and attached using acrylic soldering mucus or fingernail polish remover. Let the two plastics fuse and you can then basically walk around the room changing from 'the o.c.' to 'friends' at the drop of a hat. rock on plexi! simple, cheap and relatively fun. okay, maybe fun is the wrong word.

[binnie]

im pretty sure there are reflectors built in or the angle of which light is visible is only 30* or sumthing like that so its already focused out.??

[zachninme]

Why not make a repeater? Have a IR sensor hooked right up to an IRLED and battery. Separate the two using alluminum foil. These would be great for smart houses that use universal remotes :-) (Commercail repeaters cost like 50$ ) Also, a piece of white paper would do a good job too!

[Dex93]

Looking for info on how to make a simple repeater to hide the cable box. Any ideas?

[stahlsau]

it really works. Now i can adjust the volume from my desk, which i couldn't before ;)

[0.775volts]

THat's damn nice, a very Innovative Idea, I'd honestly never thought of making a reflector for my remote (though I did put an IR laser in one once. that was a total failure, as I had to point the remote EXACTLY at the sensor).

[TheCheese9921]

very neat idea but maby if you did somtin like this http://www.instructables.com/id/E8NV19KY8DEQZJI5IF/ to change your neghbors chanels >: )

[Neodudeman]

lol. ya. that definitely seems like an awesome idea. lol

[Wonderground]

Get a fourty someting high-powered LED array from BGMicro, get some tactical flashlight reflectors you should be able to change the channel for a couple football fields.

[Neodudeman]

lol. that would be so cool!