Infrared 12v Trigger Controller

[stoopalini]

I've been looking for a decent solution for controlling 12v triggers using my Harmony Ultimate remote, and haven't found anything readily available for a reasonable price; so decided to build my own.

I saw Chuck's thread on intelligent control of triggers using an Arduino with a relay board, but that seems like sequencing based on an existing trigger, and I wanted something stand alone which could be programmed into the Harmony's activities.  So when the kids want to watch cartoons, or the wife just wants background noise during the day, they'll use an activity which keeps the amps off and uses the pass-through feature of the UMC-200 to send audio/video to the TV directly.  But I can also have an activity for the full system on when we want it by adding the IR commands for the 12v triggers.

When searching for IR controlled 12v trigger setups, I came across many Google results where others were searching for the same thing, but I never did find a reasonable product for this scenario.

Here are the parts I am using. All bought from Amazon, with Prime 2-day shipping, for a total cost of $35.31

• 4 Channel Relay Board with IR remote. Receives IR signal and triggers the associated relay - $11.98

[/a]

[li]Small project box to house the setup - $7.42[/li]HAMMOND 1591SSBK ENCLOSURE, MULTIPURPOSE, ABS, BLACK

[li]Power input connector to solder onto a 12v wall wart - $3.49[/li](5-Pack) JacobsParts DC Power Pigtail Male Barrel Plug 6-Inch Wire 5.5mm x 2.1mm for LED Strip Light, CCTV Security Camera, DVR, and Other Low Voltage Applications

[li]12v power connector to accept the wall wart power into the box - $6.11[/li]uxcell® 3pcs 5.5 mm x 2.1mm DC Power Jack Socket Female Adapter Connector

[li]1/8" (3.5mm) audio jacks to output the 12v trigger from the box - $6.31[/li]uxcell® PCB Panel Mount 3.5mm Female Earphone Jack Socket Connector 5pcs
[/ul]

And here is a rough mockup of what I am building:



In the end, I should have a box with a 12v wall wart input, and 4 individual trigger outs which can be turned on/off with independent IR commands.  This way I can add each trigger into the Harmony activities that require them.  One for stereo amp, one for multichannel amps, one for projector screen, etc ...

The parts have been ordered, and expected delivery is tomorrow.  I hope to have the box up and running by the weekend.

[stoopalini]

Well, I got this all setup and in a project box, with four 1/8" female jacks and the power jack. I also had to drill an additional hole for the IR sensor, and it works great!

The only challenge I had is the programming of the Harmony Ultimate. The IR relay board came with a remote I used to teach the IR codes to the Harmony, but it doesn't have discrete on/off IR codes. So it the same code to turn trigger 1 on, and off; as well as for the other 3 triggers. But, the remote also has a "power all" button. This button turns all 4 triggers on if none are currently on, or turns all 4 off if 1 or more are already on.

So for programming the Harmony, in order to get the DIY trigger controller into a known state, I have the harmony send a trigger 4 command, then a power all command. This powers all 4 channels off, and gets me into a known state. It works for me, because trigger 4 will never be the only trigger powered on in any scenario.

So I now have my system setup when an activity is chosen, the amps stay off and everything else powers up. Then I have a macro (or sequence as Harmony calls it) programmed to a button on the remote which goes into the TV's menu and toggles the TV speakers on/off. So I've trained the kids, and my wife, to use this macro button if they don't hear any sound. Then when we want the full system, simply press the macro button to toggle the TV speakers off, and then I've mapped a button on the Harmony to turn trigger one on (which feeds a trigger controlled power strip to which the amps are plugged in to)

And the "off" command of the harmony always sends the power off sequence to the trigger box.

For $35, this is a very sensible solution to building an IR controlled 12v trigger controller.

[geebo]

Mar 28, 2016 13:47:21 GMT -5 stoopalini said:

Well, I got this all setup and in a project box, with four 1/8" female jacks and the power jack. I also had to drill an additional hole for the IR sensor, and it works great!

The only challenge I had is the programming of the Harmony Ultimate. The IR relay board came with a remote I used to teach the IR codes to the Harmony, but it doesn't have discrete on/off IR codes. So it the same code to turn trigger 1 on, and off; as well as for the other 3 triggers. But, the remote also has a "power all" button. This button turns all 4 triggers on if none are currently on, or turns all 4 off if 1 or more are already on.

So for programming the Harmony, in order to get the DIY trigger controller into a known state, I have the harmony send a trigger 4 command, then a power all command. This powers all 4 channels off, and gets me into a known state. It works for me, because trigger 4 will never be the only trigger powered on in any scenario.

So I now have my system setup when an activity is chosen, the amps stay off and everything else powers up. Then I have a macro (or sequence as Harmony calls it) programmed to a button on the remote which goes into the TV's menu and toggles the TV speakers on/off. So I've trained the kids, and my wife, to use this macro button if they don't hear any sound. Then when we want the full system, simply press the macro button to toggle the TV speakers off, and then I've mapped a button on the Harmony to turn trigger one on (which feeds a trigger controlled power strip to which the amps are plugged in to)

And the "off" command of the harmony always sends the power off sequence to the trigger box.

For $35, this is a very sensible solution to building an IR controlled 12v trigger controller.

Neat little project! Good job.

[knucklehead]

I'm lazy. I'd have just bought one of these:

www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQELHBS?psc=1

Its good for 10 amps - more than most AV gear pulls from a single socket.

[stoopalini]

Ya, I saw that product, but it's RF controlled. The Harmony Ultimate only does IR and Bluetooth.

I have a Panamax M10-HT-PRO power strip, which has 12v trigger control for a portion of the outlets. So I wanted a way to control them through IR (3 of my 4 amps do not have trigger control).

My DIY Trigger controller could also come in handy for 12v strip lighting control.  Still considering what else I could use it for.

This: (www.amazon.com/Infrared-Adapter-Wireless-Remote-Converter/dp/B002FJD1LY) was the only IR controlled power outlet I could find, and I didn't like the specs of it.

Besides, I like these little DIY projects that don't consume a lot of funds and give me something to tinker with

[aymen007]

first sorry for my bad language becose i speak only french

Hello,

I have a problem with the release of my power amps that bind 12v trigger with my Marantz sr7009 " Out DC12V 150ma MAX " and I want a solution that delaying injection of 12 v a little and I hope sir that I find my happiness in your solution s please, I am very very amateur in changing the hardware and programming s you, you make me a great favor if you give me a link where I can buy this material knowing that I want a device that sort of voltage 12v max 10ma " The M25’s 12V-trigger will work within a range of 6 to 15 V DC level and typically draws less than 10mA of current " to power my power amp model NAD M25 and with a programmed time as do the configuration is complicated or simple thank you very much for giving me what I must do exact step by step Mr.
or sir please is what you can prepare myself a room like yours and you told me how much its total costs with sends
thank you very much again

Is possible to make an IR remote to control device is your say in your video, I saw that every amp starts after another and you have announced that after 10 minutes thee programmed current devices closed, but I want to program device to feed my amp after a second, but I want the amp remains activated and when I press a remote control amps standby

[leonski]

Any way to install Beefier relays? And Time Delay, at that?

Great project and fill what I'm learning is a real need among HT and Stereo folks.

I think some kind of clearinghouse thread be started with ALL these projects under ONE HEADER so they can easily be found and people can exchange info.

[popcornboy]

Mar 29, 2016 8:42:32 GMT -5 stoopalini said:

The Harmony Ultimate only does IR and Bluetooth.
 

Very nice project. This is exactly what I was looking for. I've orderer everything and it's working like a charm. With my "Logitech Harmony Elite" I now can turn on/off the Marantz MM7055 amplifier in my living room.
Thanks a lot mate!