Increase The Sensitivity of IR Remote Control

This instructables is to guide you on how you can improve the sensitivity of the IR Remote Control. The model of the remote control is AXD7461 for your information.

Step 1: The Casing is Blocking the IR Signal

The common reason that IR Remote is not so responsive is because the casing is blocking the IR Signal. You can see from the image that the IR LED is like a bit too “deep” into the casing that even the cap of the IR LED is not so visible from the side of the remote control.

Comments

[evileddead]

Instructable is CopyPasta of link or vice-versa.

Feels like a website ad using an article.

[e5frog]

Seems like an option, there's a risk you'll damage the LED after the mod if you happen to drop it - something that's not unusual with remotes.

Maybe better to add two diodes to the corners as well...

[bayyagg]

Hey!

The problem usually some of the buttons are not working........

This 100% guaranteed to clean the carbon contact for that remote!

Use ur soldering iron, heat it up, and get that hot iron tip into those carbon contacts ( don't worry nowadays remote are made of silicone and they don't melt with high temp. ). you will notice the glossiness of the carbon become matte black!

[Venemot]

And by the way great instructable.....!!!!!

[framistan]

Some newer IR (infra-red) LED's have higher output light level. Replacing them with newer HIGH OUTPUT led's would greatly improve operation (as you said in your instructable). I have replaced LED's in many remotes to get better range, it really works great. Also, if you don't want to replace them, you might try wrapping the LED's sides with aluminum foil to form a kind of "tube". This would reflect any side-shining invisible light out the front. No cutting or desoldering needed. Be sure to put a little glue on the foil and keep the foil away from any wire. You don't want to short out the LED.. If you want to VISUALLY check the invisible light out of a remote... just use any digital cameras viewscreen to LOOK at the remote's LED. Then push any button on the remote. You will "see" the light of the LED in the camera's view-screen!

[Venemot]

The use of aluminium foil is great and i myself have used it quite alot in increasing light output.But in the case of a remote control where the parts are closely packed you might like using the inside of a chocolate bar wrapper instead of aluminum foil as iit is an insulator but reflects the light just the same and maybe even better(it is more shinier than aluminium).......

[bustatech]

Thank you very much for the comment.

[cpotoso]

Smart, simple and excellent!