OT: What kind of s**t can I start this AM? - Page 5

 

Assuming we're talking about an IR remote, as almost all are these
days, a couple of possibilities come to mind:

1. Weak batteries.  Cold isn't the best friend of just about any
battery technology, and if they're marginal when warm they could
be just a bit too low when cold.

2. The cold has nothing to do with it, and instead the problem is
simply that it's morning - and the sun is coming in a window at
such an angle so as to interfere with the IR sensor in the TV.

3. The cold is affecting an intermittent component or connection
within the remote, causing one or more malfunctions.

Assuming that you can easily tell if it's #2 from where the set is
located, and have already swapped in a fresh set of batteries, then
the solution is simple - get thee to your local Wal-Mart or wherever,
and pick up a new "universal" remote.  These things are so cheap
it's simply not worth trying to diagnose or repair a problem
beyond these steps.  Or live with it.  Your call.


Think of it as a cheap substitute for a quartz crystal, as in
"crystal oscillator."  Most likely, it's part of making whatever
clock the microcontroller in the remote is using.


Impossible to say with certainty; depends on the characteristics
of both the remote and the receiver.  Generally on the order of
ten meters or so, for a typical unit and conditions.  Could be
more; with other strong IR sources in the area (and esp. direct
sunlight, as noted above), could be a lot less.


Bob M.