8810w weak signal?

Knees1339 · Post by **Knees1339** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 1:24 pm

Has anyone else noticed that the 8810w has remarkably weaker signal than the RS-1994?

I can use the 1994 from right across the room in broad daylight, where the 8810w fails. I need to bring my 7800 back from work to see how it compares . . .

(edited for spelling)

jamesgammel · Post by **jamesgammel** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 1:59 pm

The 7800 and 1994 both use 2 leds while transmitting. I think the latest OFA's have switched to just one. If your 8810W has just one led which does double duty for learning and transmitting, that may account for a lot of that. 1994 and 7800 also use 4 batteries, some OFA's just use 2. Not sure what the 8810W has, but if it's just 2, that could also contribute to part of that.

Jim

nsysblh · Post by **nsysblh** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 4:34 pm

8810w has 4 batteries. I think it just has the one LED. I haven't had problems with mine. Sunlight does sometime cause interference (but I haven't noticed it with this one).

I'm using a 15 year old VCR Rabbit setup for IR between rooms and the 8810w works fine with it too.

Either the batteries are low, or the IR LED may not be very strong.

Have you looked at it on a camcorder while it was transmitting to compare relative IR strength? (to one that works better)

Post by **The Robman** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 5:06 pm

Some people have found that if you make the IR-LED stick out further than they normally do, it improves the range. When I modify URC-6131 remotes I routinely push the IR-LED out a bit further.

Keep in mind also that the 15-1994 had an IR window, so the LED had more angles to send it's signals, whereas with remotes like the URC-8811, it's sticking through a small hole, so it's sides are blocked.

nsysblh · Post by **nsysblh** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 12:26 am

I just took one of my 8810w remotes apart and pushed the led out as far as possible. It will go out a good 1/8 to 1/4 inch beyond the housing.

Now it controls everything no matter which way it is pointed. Could be a hazzard getting the led snagged on something, though.

I believe the entire problem is the cramped place they put it durring manufacturing (if you are having a problem)

Pull it out a little and it should work reliably in most any direction. Just be careful with the case. I think you do have to actually take it apart, as the lip of the ir led was hooked on the red led on mine. I would have either split the IR or bent the red one if I had tried to pull it out with the case closed.

nsysblh · Post by **nsysblh** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 7:20 pm

After a week with the family, the led is back to it's original position. Apparently there is some magic force that attracts the led end to the floor when the remote is dropped. Either that, or the 2 year old decided to push it back on her own.

Still works, so I'll look into something besides the led leads to hold it out.

Post by **The Robman** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 7:46 pm

Maybe some hot glue would do the trick?

richierich · Post by **richierich** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 2:27 pm

I have a related question. One of my RS 15-1994 remotes is putting out a weaker IR signal. I did the obvious things (changed batteries with no difference, then exchanged batteries with a 1994 that is working fine) with no luck. Reading the comments above, I have become suspicious that possibly one of the two LEDs has gone bad. However, I figured it would be wise to post here before taking my remote apart. Does anyone have any better suggestions as to what the problem could be?

Thanks.

Richard

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 3:26 pm

It certainly sounds like a weak IR signal. If you have a digital camera or camcorder with an LCD, you can "see" the IR, as it will show up a white light. Put the 2 1994's side-by-side and have a look while a button (Vol + should work well) on each is pressed.... you might be able to see a difference.

If the suspect remotes IR looks dimmer, then you can probably assume it's faulty somehow. That could be as simple as a bad solder joint. At least you'd have some confirmation before popping it open.

The 1994 has 2 IR LED's. I just checked mine, and both work, though the one under the little "arrow" (the learning LED) is noticably dimmer than the other.