3.5mm mini plug question...

[greenough1]

this may seem like a really odd question, so bear with me.

I've got an IR connecting block, IR receiver and emitter set (xantech 291-00 kit http://www.xantech.com/products/i_folder/i_291kit.pdf).

the emitters and the connecting block are fine, but the IR receiver (291-10 hidden link http://www.xantech.com/products/i_folder/i_29110.pdf) can't be put exactly where I need/want it. I located a different one (speakercraft IRC-2.1 http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:221:IRC-2.0) that better suits my needs (sorry I link the manual, but it's on the linked page)

Both IR receivers (come with a 3.5mm miniplug). The differences are the IRC-2.0 has 4 contacts on the plug while the 291-10 has 3. from the plug to the tip they are:
IRC-2.0: plug : status:insulator:+12VDC:insulator:GND:insulator:signal
291-10 : plug : +12VDC : insulator: GND : insulator: signal

The difference is the status, which lights an led on the IRC-2.0 indicating the system is on.

I see nothing in the manual on the 789-44 (xantech connecting block http://www.xantech.com/products/i_folder/i_78944.pdf) about the female miniplug except to connect a 3-conductor miniplug to it. What will happen if I connect a 4 conductor miniplug to it? I guess the female miniplug connectors are made for different numbers of conductor plugs?

this is really to satisfy my curiosity since I have two solutions. One is to order the IRC-2.1 which doesn't have the mini plug, just 4 stripped wires and connect to the screw terminal on the 789-44. I might be stuck with the IRC-2.0 (since I didn't realize there was a conductor difference on the miniplug until after I order it), but I guess I can just cut the miniplug off and seperate/strip the wires (the cable is a small ribbon cable).

Thanks,
jeff

[BobbyD]

I have worked with the Xantech product and you should be compatible using 3 of the 4 conductors available on the IR receiver . The status conductor will not be used in your case. The filter to block the IR light from the plasma is important as I have had problems in the past using Xantech receivers placed in front of the plasma display. If you purchase a 3.5mm phono plug and re - solder the connections for the + , - and IR connections and insulate the status conductor you should be fine.

Hoping this has helped.

BobbyD

[greenough1]

Hi BobbyD,
Thanks for the reply.

I think I might have confused folks with my original post, i.e. what i really was asking.

What I was really asking was will the speakercraft IR receiver linked above, with its 4 conductor 3.5mm miniplug work with the female miniplug on the xantech connecting block?

I did research female miniplugs in the digikey catalog. It looks like they come in 4 or 6 conductor configurations with variations in how the package is laid-out.

since I don't know the internal workings of the speakercraft IR receiver, he safest thing to do is to just cut the miniplug off and hard-wire it to the connecting block. this is easy enough to do and I know it'll work. I was just trying to make my life easier.

Thanks again,
jeff

[greenough1]

Just to close this thread for others, the speakercraft IP receiver miniplug plugged in to the IR receiver port and works without connecting the status line. This is great as I didn't want the distraction of the green LED on all the time on the front of the set.

Best,
jeff