TV Remote Becomes an RF Remote || NRF24L01+ Tutorial

In this project I will show you how I used the popular nRF24L01+ RF IC to adjust the brightness of an LED strip wirelessly through three useless buttons of a TV remote. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Video!

The video gives you all information you need to create your own RF Transmitter and Receiver. In the next steps though I will give you additional details.

Step 2: Order the Components!

Here you can find a parts list with example sellers for your convenience (affiliate links):

Ebay:

RF Receiver:

1x Arduino Pro Mini: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x nRF24L01+: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x DC Jack: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 3.3V Voltage Regulator: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 470Ω, 2x10kΩ Resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 100nF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 47µF Capcitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

RF Transmitter:

1x Arduino Pro Mini: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x nRF24L01+: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 47µF Capcitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

3x 1N4148 Diode: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

3x Tactile Switch: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Aliexpress:

RF Receiver:

1x Arduino Pro Mini: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d62ALdV

1x nRF24L01+: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTALQoS

1x DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6cVZVl

1x 3.3V Voltage Regulator: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYm1qIQ

1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWhSrDl

1x 470Ω, 2x10kΩ Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

2x 100nF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB

1x 47µF Capcitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz

RF Transmitter:

1x Arduino Pro Mini: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d62ALdV

1x nRF24L01+: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTALQoS

1x 47µF Capcitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz

3x 1N4148 Diode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYR45Bh

3x Tactile Switch: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXIIMcP

Amazon.de:

RF Receiver:

1x Arduino Pro Mini: http://amzn.to/2kzgm1A

1x nRF24L01+: http://amzn.to/2kHqpnV

1x DC Jack: http://amzn.to/2kHaG8v

1x 3.3V Voltage Regulator: http://amzn.to/2kH3XLI

1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://amzn.to/2dL9WKB

1x 470Ω, 2x10kΩ Resistor: http://amzn.to/2aAsWdV

2x 100nF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/2dWJaNW

1x 47µF Capcitor: http://amzn.to/2kH4cGC

RF Transmitter:

1x Arduino Pro Mini: http://amzn.to/2kzgm1A

1x nRF24L01+: http://amzn.to/2kHqpnV

1x 47µF Capcitor: http://amzn.to/2kH4cGC

3x 1N4148 Diode: http://amzn.to/2kzhB0T

3x Tactile Switch: http://amzn.to/2aAtmB2

Step 3: Create the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic and reference pictures of the transmitter and receiver circuit. Feel free to use them to recreate the project.

Step 4: Upload the Arduino Sketch!

Here you can find the code for the transmitter and receiver. If you are working with an Arduino Pro Mini you will need an FTDI breakout or something similar to upload the code.

You also must download and include the RF24 and Low-Power library!

RF24: https://github.com/TMRh20/RF24

Low-Power: https://github.com/rocketscream/Low-Power

To get to know the RF24 library and its commands you can also have a look at the documentation of it: https://tmrh20.github.io/RF24/