Universal IR Remote Switch

This project shows the use of a neat chip that lets you use any IR remote to switch something on-off.

Here I've modified an old non-working General Electric RF remote AC switch to a switch that can be controlled with any IR remote.

My motivation was this, I wanted to be able to turn a light on-off across my bedroom with my DirecTV IR remote. My plan was to use the Aux-1 button, since it's not being used for anything else. I needed some kind of circuit that would recognize the Aux-1 IR signal and activate a relay.

After some searching -- and a friend's suggestion -- I found the simerec.com, SIS-1 chip. I considered using the lamp application circuit that they have on their site, but then I remembered that I had an old GE radio remote control AC switch that I could convert instead. Why would I want to convert something that's already remote controllable? First, the radio remote never worked like it should have. Second, I want to be able to control as much as I can from one remote; In my case, a DirecTV 6-in-1 remote.

So, here's what I did...

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Step 1: The Original General Electric RF AC Switch

Pictured here is the original General Electric AC switch. In this state, it's supposed to turn an AC device on-off with a small key-chain type RF remote.

Next, I'll cut open the case...

combatstone says: Aug 4, 2010. 2:31 AM

very clean end product. and thank you for the very well done instructable.

snoop911 says: Dec 27, 2009. 5:34 PM

I have a jukebox that has an rf remote... is there a way to capture the rf signals, and generate rf signals with an ir to rf transmitter?

I'd like to use my single universal ir remote to control it, but all the ir to rf adapters I've seen are designed to work with their rf transmitter/receiver pair, not a rf receiver from another device!

w477s says: Nov 23, 2009. 5:15 AM

hmm... can you send me your product (i'm ready to pay :S) cuz i cant find those things ANYWHERE on web (so i cant build it at all)? ok nvmind i'm just kiddin' ^^
/me needs those chipz...

btw isn't sis-2 just rev. of sis-1?

GrafixMan306 says: Nov 8, 2009. 3:08 PM

that's not a chisel. not trying to be a jerk but you should keep your mouth closed if you don't know what your talking about.

peterlonz says: Oct 3, 2009. 11:51 PM

I don't see a chip labelled SIS-1 on the Simerec order page. There's an SIS-2 there though. Maybe you could clarify - need to be carefull to get the right one methinks. BTW excellent job & great instructions. The chips are a bit on th expensive side though - would be nice (if you ever get time) to show how to use scavenged IR receiver parts so as to keep costs as low as poss. I have a room light switch that should initially have been two-switch -wired but was not, so IR control will save my legs & much irritation. Thanks.

absalom says: Jul 23, 2008. 12:23 PM

i have a remote-related question... does anyone know how to wire a remote so that i can send signals to it via maxMSP (out of the miditron)? what i'd like is for max to be wired to a remote so that it could activate the "play" or "menu" buttons. this is sortof a workaround.. any ideas?

TimHepner (author) in reply to absalomJul 24, 2008. 5:30 PM

This maxMSP/miditron is new to me, but it sounds interesting. So, just to clarify, do you want to pre-load the miditron via maxMSP, and have the miditron running stand-alone? Or, will your Mac/PC be connected to the miditron while in use? If you are not running in stand-alone mode with the minitron, then I would recommend using LIRC or winLIRC to blast IR codes to your device that you want to "play" and "menu". If you are running in stand alone mode, let me know and maybe I can help...

absalom in reply to TimHepnerJul 24, 2008. 7:43 PM

hm! LIRC looks pretty nifty, but i think integrating that with max/MSP, getting the parts, and troubleshooting the whole thing seems kinda intimidating since it's a world i haven't traveled into before. i'm trying to avoid too many new or unknown avenues, cuz i need this thing done soonish. i am definitely going to look into this for the future tho, thx!

leezureking says: Jan 14, 2008. 6:34 AM

Excellent job, it's exactly want I want to do also. i already ordered three SIS-2 chips for 3 "almost" the same switch, Jasco model 51186 or Intermatic HB12R. They are the same. different enough from yours that I don't know where to solder. I'm not that good with electronics and I can't seem to find a schematic to try and guess what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TimHepner (author) in reply to leezurekingMar 30, 2008. 8:21 AM

Sorry for the delay. Did you get this working? If not, let me know and might be able to lend assistance.

jeffreyf says: Jan 24, 2007. 3:47 PM

Interesting, and an excelent hack. I've been thinking about the fact that there's no true "Universal" remote. Ie, and open source programmable remote that can be plugged into a USB port to download (and upload) codes, with a central site/place to exchange them (I'd propose Instructables, but that's because I work there.) It shouldn't be too expensive to develop. Thoughts?

mdesmarais in reply to jeffreyfFeb 1, 2008. 12:40 PM

Have you seen JP1? Not quite open source, but pretty close. . .

Jp1 Forums

Markd

Ian01 in reply to jeffreyfJan 26, 2007. 1:57 PM

What about Logitech's Harmony remotes?

jeffreyf in reply to Ian01Jan 27, 2007. 12:39 PM

I thought about them. Can they upload the IR sequences directly to a file?. I didn't think so, but without any specs/information I can't say.

Ian01 in reply to jeffreyfJan 30, 2007. 8:42 AM

I think they upload the sequences to a website. Then other people can download and use them.

jeffreyf in reply to Ian01Jan 31, 2007. 1:41 PM

Hrm.... I wonder where they'd draw the line though? Just electronic devices? There are so many other wonderful IR controled objects in the world. I'd still prefer to see something hacker-friendly.

jongscx in reply to jeffreyfNov 19, 2007. 8:39 PM

Well, this is about the opposite, since it's a universal reciever. The device learns a code to activate an action, as opposed to a remote learning a signal to activate a device. You could use a logitech remote for this, you'd just need to make sure that the control scheme you're using has unused, but active buttons working.

comodore says: Jan 20, 2008. 1:34 PM

Very interesting hack. Well done!!! My question is how can I do the same but with DC current, like in RC toys (cars,helicopters,boats...) Do you know a schematic that i can build that has a remote and a reserver so, lets say if I push a button on the remote an LED turns on on the reserver (wireless).

jongscx says: Nov 19, 2007. 8:23 PM

Just found this i-ble... Quick question, are the RF remotes on different frequencies? I was thinking, if they did, and you had multiple, it wouldn't be that hard to wire it up to computer control... Then, you'd have remote AND computer control of it. only problem would be if it was a only a toggle switch... then comp would need a feedback mechanism to know if it was on or off. Lastly, how did you find this and where? I'm looking and finding some, but wanted to see what options were available. thanks

waterppk says: Nov 8, 2007. 10:27 PM

Looks really clean for the space you had to work with, nicely done :)

bobolou2 says: Jul 10, 2007. 3:03 PM

lOl carefully cut across the seam with a chisel

sedition says: Jun 4, 2007. 2:17 PM

Awesome instructable! I had a similar idea a while back for use in a home automation system, but never got around to building it. Glad you beat me to it, excellent job!

emeedee says: Jan 30, 2007. 8:59 AM

Cool project. I had the same wish to turn stuff off and on from across the room. Here's what I did: I picked up an old Cable Box with a powered outlet (the kind where the tv plugs into the back of the box for power). Don't get a new one, you can find them at thrift shops and garage sales all the time for about $5. Most universal remotes should recognise the box. Plug your device into the box (in the summer I had a fan hooked up). Have fun.