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  3. IR blaster for AC , TV etc.

IR blaster for AC , TV etc.

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Development
ir blaster
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  • D Offline
    D Offline
    Dheeraj
    Plugin Developer
    wrote on last edited by Dheeraj
    #1

    Any one tried using IR transmitter to send IR signal to AC with mini pro ( 328p ) as mysensor node. I know mini pro have limited ram / rom support.

    Note: AC remote send long IR signals which may not be completely captured by IR receivers connected to mini pro. may be one try on rasp pi but that's a last resort.

    Moshe LivneM 2 Replies Last reply
    0
    • D Dheeraj

      Any one tried using IR transmitter to send IR signal to AC with mini pro ( 328p ) as mysensor node. I know mini pro have limited ram / rom support.

      Note: AC remote send long IR signals which may not be completely captured by IR receivers connected to mini pro. may be one try on rasp pi but that's a last resort.

      Moshe LivneM Offline
      Moshe LivneM Offline
      Moshe Livne
      Hero Member
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      @Dheeraj I am in the same boat. so far I was unable to replay ac codes. the ir blaster project should be able to do that.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • K Offline
        K Offline
        kalle
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        here is the link: http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1402/ir-blaster-community-feedback-requested

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • D Dheeraj

          Any one tried using IR transmitter to send IR signal to AC with mini pro ( 328p ) as mysensor node. I know mini pro have limited ram / rom support.

          Note: AC remote send long IR signals which may not be completely captured by IR receivers connected to mini pro. may be one try on rasp pi but that's a last resort.

          Moshe LivneM Offline
          Moshe LivneM Offline
          Moshe Livne
          Hero Member
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          @Dheeraj Just a note: Although this project looks promising it still remains to be seen if it can decode/encode the sequences and the software part of it (the learning, storing and retrieving) does not exists yet. So early days.... I do wish broadlinks rm2 would be open protocol. it has such a great library of codes. Oh well...

          D 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

            @Dheeraj Just a note: Although this project looks promising it still remains to be seen if it can decode/encode the sequences and the software part of it (the learning, storing and retrieving) does not exists yet. So early days.... I do wish broadlinks rm2 would be open protocol. it has such a great library of codes. Oh well...

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Dheeraj
            Plugin Developer
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            @Moshe-Livne the IR library i used is some how fails to decode and dump the AC IR signal received even after increasing the buffer size RAWBUF, not sure how broadlinks rm2 is working.. basically i used mini pro node as IR receiver/emitter .. the received IR hex codes ( bit, type NEC, etc ) are send to controller ( pimatic ) . Using pimatic Rules controlling electronic devices which sends IR hex code to node if rule is triggered.

            Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • D Dheeraj

              @Moshe-Livne the IR library i used is some how fails to decode and dump the AC IR signal received even after increasing the buffer size RAWBUF, not sure how broadlinks rm2 is working.. basically i used mini pro node as IR receiver/emitter .. the received IR hex codes ( bit, type NEC, etc ) are send to controller ( pimatic ) . Using pimatic Rules controlling electronic devices which sends IR hex code to node if rule is triggered.

              Moshe LivneM Offline
              Moshe LivneM Offline
              Moshe Livne
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              @Dheeraj yes, I tried that as well with similar results. I even tried the more complicated irscrutinizer to no avail. I think I have zapped my IR reciever and waiting for replacement. It could record very long codes but I couldn't play them back. still working on it....

              Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                @Dheeraj yes, I tried that as well with similar results. I even tried the more complicated irscrutinizer to no avail. I think I have zapped my IR reciever and waiting for replacement. It could record very long codes but I couldn't play them back. still working on it....

                Moshe LivneM Offline
                Moshe LivneM Offline
                Moshe Livne
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                @Dheeraj Another option I am checking is getting one of the super cheap (3-4$) universal ac remote controls and hooking it to a sensor. The remotes were ordered and I'll probably get them in two weeks or so. It can be a good solution....

                blaceyB 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                  @Dheeraj Another option I am checking is getting one of the super cheap (3-4$) universal ac remote controls and hooking it to a sensor. The remotes were ordered and I'll probably get them in two weeks or so. It can be a good solution....

                  blaceyB Offline
                  blaceyB Offline
                  blacey
                  Admin
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  @Moshe-Livne said:

                  @Dheeraj Another option I am checking is getting one of the super cheap (3-4$) universal ac remote controls and hooking it to a sensor. The remotes were ordered and I'll probably get them in two weeks or so. It can be a good solution....

                  Actually, that is a very creative approach. :+1: That said, I don't know if you guys saw it, but I posted a reply to your question about long IR codes on the forthcoming MySensors IR Blaster - http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1402/ir-blaster-community-feedback-requested/63

                  Perhaps we can combine forces to ensure that the MySensors IR Blaster will meet your needs. Our goal is that it will be able to control devices that require recording and sending long IR codes and it looks like there is an Arduino solution - the IR Blaster Hardware will support it so it will just be a matter of adding it to the sketch/firmware.

                  Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • blaceyB blacey

                    @Moshe-Livne said:

                    @Dheeraj Another option I am checking is getting one of the super cheap (3-4$) universal ac remote controls and hooking it to a sensor. The remotes were ordered and I'll probably get them in two weeks or so. It can be a good solution....

                    Actually, that is a very creative approach. :+1: That said, I don't know if you guys saw it, but I posted a reply to your question about long IR codes on the forthcoming MySensors IR Blaster - http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1402/ir-blaster-community-feedback-requested/63

                    Perhaps we can combine forces to ensure that the MySensors IR Blaster will meet your needs. Our goal is that it will be able to control devices that require recording and sending long IR codes and it looks like there is an Arduino solution - the IR Blaster Hardware will support it so it will just be a matter of adding it to the sketch/firmware.

                    Moshe LivneM Offline
                    Moshe LivneM Offline
                    Moshe Livne
                    Hero Member
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    @blacey Its not my idea - there are zillions of instructables and youtube videos of people who did it because of the problem of controlling AC is such a pain....
                    I will do my very best to make the IR blaster work with AC. Its a much neater solution. I must point out another PITA with controlling AC. as the wall units are stateless, the blaster can't actually know what is the actual setting on the AC. If someone manually changed the temperature or mode the blaster will override it, even if the programming only said "increase temp by 2 degrees for the night". Might be a need for another sensor by the AC that will also receive manual commands. this is so tricky....

                    blaceyB 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                      @blacey Its not my idea - there are zillions of instructables and youtube videos of people who did it because of the problem of controlling AC is such a pain....
                      I will do my very best to make the IR blaster work with AC. Its a much neater solution. I must point out another PITA with controlling AC. as the wall units are stateless, the blaster can't actually know what is the actual setting on the AC. If someone manually changed the temperature or mode the blaster will override it, even if the programming only said "increase temp by 2 degrees for the night". Might be a need for another sensor by the AC that will also receive manual commands. this is so tricky....

                      blaceyB Offline
                      blaceyB Offline
                      blacey
                      Admin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      @Moshe-Livne said:

                      @blacey I will do my very best to make the IR blaster work with AC. Its a much neater solution.

                      Excellent! :+1:

                      I must point out another PITA with controlling AC. as the wall units are stateless, the blaster can't actually know what is the actual setting on the AC. If someone manually changed the temperature or mode the blaster will override it, even if the programming only said "increase temp by 2 degrees for the night". Might be a need for another sensor by the AC that will also receive manual commands. this is so tricky....

                      So, in other words, air conditioners don't support discrete IR codes? For example, instead of a single power-toggle code, there is a power-on code and a separate power-off code. Many televisions only have a single power-toggle button on the remote however the TV often supports discrete codes.

                      Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • rvendrameR Offline
                        rvendrameR Offline
                        rvendrame
                        Hero Member
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Just to add my two cents, I also saw people using mechanical micro-servos to push the buttons at the AC unit, and light sensors (cheap LDR) to read the status LEDs.

                        http://www.ebay.com/itm/351185430530?rmvSB=true

                        Ugly but works.

                        Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                        ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                        Alexa / Google Home

                        Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • rvendrameR rvendrame

                          Just to add my two cents, I also saw people using mechanical micro-servos to push the buttons at the AC unit, and light sensors (cheap LDR) to read the status LEDs.

                          http://www.ebay.com/itm/351185430530?rmvSB=true

                          Ugly but works.

                          Moshe LivneM Offline
                          Moshe LivneM Offline
                          Moshe Livne
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          @rvendrame I saw this as well - it is slightly insane IMHO. But opening and connecting to these 3$ remotes seems easy enough and its very cost effective. If you hide the whole thing in a nice oak box it even looks nice....

                          Anyway, learning from my last project, the infamous doorbell, that I thought would take 5 min max and it still manage not to work, lets just say I HOPE its easy....

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • tbowmoT Offline
                            tbowmoT Offline
                            tbowmo
                            Admin
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            IR codes for AC's actually contains a lot of information, it's not just button presses (temperature up/down). But it's a "datagram" with complete settings, including temperature etc.

                            An example, my AC in the "mancave", if I block the IR signal and turn the heat up a couple of notches, and then unblock the IR again, then when I turn op the heat one notch more, the display on the AC unit jumps 3 notches up.. Which indicates to me, that it transmits a complete setup message, including temperatures, etc. to the AC unit.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • blaceyB blacey

                              @Moshe-Livne said:

                              @blacey I will do my very best to make the IR blaster work with AC. Its a much neater solution.

                              Excellent! :+1:

                              I must point out another PITA with controlling AC. as the wall units are stateless, the blaster can't actually know what is the actual setting on the AC. If someone manually changed the temperature or mode the blaster will override it, even if the programming only said "increase temp by 2 degrees for the night". Might be a need for another sensor by the AC that will also receive manual commands. this is so tricky....

                              So, in other words, air conditioners don't support discrete IR codes? For example, instead of a single power-toggle code, there is a power-on code and a separate power-off code. Many televisions only have a single power-toggle button on the remote however the TV often supports discrete codes.

                              Moshe LivneM Offline
                              Moshe LivneM Offline
                              Moshe Livne
                              Hero Member
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              @blacey its much much worse. Off is a discrete code. On on the other hand is a full device state. Mode, temp, fan, vane etc etc....

                              blaceyB 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                                @blacey its much much worse. Off is a discrete code. On on the other hand is a full device state. Mode, temp, fan, vane etc etc....

                                blaceyB Offline
                                blaceyB Offline
                                blacey
                                Admin
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                @Moshe-Livne and @tbowmo - good to know the difference from standard HT IR - clearly A/C control will be a steeper hill to climb but still should be doable. IR A/C units aren't popular where I live so I won't have access to one...

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • tbowmoT Offline
                                  tbowmoT Offline
                                  tbowmo
                                  Admin
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  @blacey

                                  I have seen an arduino library somewhere to control different types of AC units, I even think it was mentioned on the forum,( half a year ago).

                                  blaceyB 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • tbowmoT tbowmo

                                    @blacey

                                    I have seen an arduino library somewhere to control different types of AC units, I even think it was mentioned on the forum,( half a year ago).

                                    blaceyB Offline
                                    blaceyB Offline
                                    blacey
                                    Admin
                                    wrote on last edited by blacey
                                    #17

                                    @tbowmo said:

                                    @blacey

                                    I have seen an arduino library somewhere to control different types of AC units, I even think it was mentioned on the forum,( half a year ago).

                                    Indeed - this proves it is possible https://www.cooking-hacks.com/documentation/tutorials/control-hvac-infrared-devices-from-the-internet-with-ir-remote/ With a bit more legwork (e.g. https://github.com/r45635/HVAC-IR-Control), I am confident that IR Blaster will be able to support HVAC units. Heck (pun intended), it wouldn't be fun if there weren't any challenges ;)

                                    NOTE: Given that we plan to provide HVAC control in the IR Blaster, should we merge this discussion into the IR Blaster thread?

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