Niles MicroFlasher IRC-2 Troubleshooting guide

FEATURES &BENEFITS
•Miniature and discrete, the IRC-2 mounts
directly to the IR sensor window of your
audio/video component without disfig-
uring the appearance of your equipment.
•The IRC-2 is completely transparent to
IR commands. Although the IRC-2
appears to be blocking the IR sensor
window of your audio/video component,
you can still directly operate your
equipment using a remote control.
throughout a wide bandwidth. This
allows the IRC-2 to control most makes
and models of IR controlled audio/video
components.
The IRC-2 is compatible with all Niles
infrared repeaters, infrared routing
devices, and multi-zone keypad systems
that utilize bare wire connectors.
Tools Required
• 1/8” Standard Slotted Screwdriver
• Scissors (for IR blocking coveronly) NEGATIVE (-); THE COPPER COLORED
WIRE LEAD ISPOSITIVE (+).
Connecting Multiple Flashers
It's possible to connect more than one
flasher from a single output on a Niles
infrared system. Consult the operating
manual of the Niles Main System Unit or
consult your local Niles dealer for more
information.
Increasing the Wire Length
If the connecting wire is too short to
reach the Main System Unit directly, an
additional length of wire may be spliced in to
extend it. Cut the flasher wire approximately 6
INSTALLATION & OPERATION
Locate the IR remote sensor of each com-
ponent you want to control. The sensor is
usually located behind its own plastic
window on the front of the component.
On some equipment, the sensor may be
hidden behind the plastic bezel covering
the front panel displays. A bright flashlight
is helpful for locating sensors on equip-
ment with very dark plastic bezels.
Make sure the mounting surface is clean-
ed and degreased with the proper cleaner
before installing the IRC-2. Attach the
IRC-2 directly over the IR sensor of the
component using its self-adhesive tape.
The adhesive is strong enough to hold
the IRC-2 firmly in place yet it removes
easily and without residue if needed.
Route the connecting two-conductor
wire to the Main System Unit. Connect
the ends of the wire to the positive and
negative terminals labeled “Flasher” on
the Main System Unit (See Figure 2).
Coil any excess wire and tie it in place.
BE SURE TO OBSERVE PROPER POLAR-
ITY WHEN CONNECTING THE IRC-2.
THE SILVER COLORED WIRE LEAD IS
Because of its discrete appearance some
installers have mounted the IRC-2 to the
cabinet or wall (with its LED pointed at
the sensor window of the audio/video
component). There are two challenges
which must be overcome to successfully
use the IRC-2 in this fashion:
1. The LED of the IRC-2 faces in one
direction only, therefore you must mount
a strip ofself-adhesive tape on the side of
the housing opposite the LED face. Use
the extra pieces of double-sided adhesive
tape supplied with the IRC-2.
2.Because the IRC-2 was designed pri-
marily for pin-point relaying of IR com-
mands, mounting directly to your compo-
nent's IR sensor, the effective range is lim-
ited to 4 feet. Niles also manufactures
high-output flashers, offering greater
range and flooding angle, for these types
of applications. Contact your Niles dealer
for more information.
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
The IRC-2 is typically mounted to the
infrared sensor window of an audio/
video component using the attached self-
adhesive pad (See Figure 1). The IRC-2
directs its infrared output towards the
sensor, not out into the room.
Route the connecting wires close to the
IR sensor window. That way, a minimal
amount of wire will show. If the compo-
nent has a tray or door that opens, you
may have to route the wire from the top
or bottom of the component. Make sure
any loose connecting wire is taped
securely in place and out of the way.
IRC-2 MicroFlasher™
INTRODUCTION
The IRC-2 is a miniature panel-
mount IR flasher. It is one of three
elements needed to complete a remote
control extender system:
1. Remote Sensors
2. Main System Units
3. Infrared Flashers
When an IR remote sensor receives a
command from a hand-held remote con-
trol, it sends a corresponding electronic
signal through a wire to the Main System
Unit. Here, the Main System Unit cleans
and amplifies the electronic signal.
Finally, the Main System Unit outputs
the signal to the IR flasher which transmits
the infrared command to the audio/video
component you wish to control.
The IRC-2 sends the IR commands via
flashes of infrared light in a precise pin-
point pattern from its single infrared LED.
The output is extraordinarily accurate
• The IRC-2 is equipped with pre-
stripped, tinned and labeled wire ends.
This provides you with easy wire
hookup for fast,trouble-free installations.
• The IRC-2 has a strip of self-adhesive
tape for quick and secure mounting to any
hard, clean,dry surface.
•The IRC-2 is supplied with an ample 10
feet of connecting wire.
• The IRC-2 is supplied with an infrared
blocking cover. This is useful if you
have several identical TV’s (or audio/
video components), all using the same
remote control and the same IR com-
mands. The combination of an IRC-2
with a blocking cover and a Niles
infrared routing device will allow you
to change channels on one TV without
changing another. See your Niles dealer
for more information.
FIGURE 1 The IRC-2 mounts directly over the IR
sensor window of your audio/video component.
Self-
adhesive
tape
10 feet of
2-conductor
24 gauge
connecting
wire
Positive
(+)
Label
Infrared
LED
FIGURE 2 Connecting the IRC-2 to the Main
System Unit's flasher outputs.
Infrared
Transparent
Housing
IR Blocking
Cover
123567
4Over Please
8
IRC-2 PARTS GUIDE

IRC-2
SPECIFICATIONS
IR System
Compatible with virtually all brands of
remotes using carrier frequencies between
20 and 455 kHz.
IR Transmitting Range
Up to 4 feet (Typically mounts to the IR sen-
sor window of an audio/video component).
IR Transmitting Angle
Transmits in a “pinpoint” transmission pat-
tern (the off-axis power drops off very
rapidly).
Unit Dimensions
5/16” Wide x 11/16" High x 3/16" Long.
Mounting
Supplied with self-adhesive tape attached
to the unit.
Wiring Requirements
Supplied with 10 feet of 2-conductor 24
gauge connecting wire. Substitute an 18
gauge 2-conductor wire for distances rang-
ing from 10 to 20 feet and a 16 gauge 2-
conductor wire for up to 200feet.
IR Blocking Cover Dimensions
2" Wide x 2" High x 1/4" Deep.
Optical IR Feedback Loop
If there is an IR sensor and an IR flasher
located within the same room—an "optical
IR feedback loop" can occur. This occurs
when the IR output from a flasher uninten-
tionally reaches an IR sensor located within
the same room. The IR commands are
eventually forwarded back to the IR flasher
and the whole process endlessly repeats
itself. This effect is similar to acoustical
feedback (the howling or whistling sound
heard in a P.A. system when the micro-
phone is placed too close to the speaker).
The optical IR feedback loop can be elimi-
nated by one of the two following methods:
1. Place the IR blocking cover over the IRC-2.
2. Reduce the flasher output until normal
operation resumes. This is done by turning
the Flasher Level Adjust (located on the
Main System Unit) counter-clockwise.
If problems persist, refer to the user's
manual for the Main System Unit or con-
tact your local Niles dealer.
We recommend connecting IRC-2
MicroFlashers to the “variable” flasher
output terminals on Niles Main System
Units. The flasher level controls should
be set by first starting at the minimum
(fully counter-clockwise) position and
increasing the output (clockwise) until
the equipment responds reliably. A
maximum of four IRC-2 MicroFlashers
or two IRC-1 High-Output flooding
flashers may be connected to a single
flasher output terminal.
For main system units that enable you
to adjust the flasher level, try adjusting
the flasher level up or down (some
components’ sensors are overloaded
by too strong a command from the
IRC-2). If the operation of the compo-
nent improves when the flasher level
is all the way down, but it is still not
perfect, try moving the IRC-2 so that
it is farther away from the sensor win-
dow or off to the side of the sensor
window. If adjusting the level down
makes no change, or makes operation
even worse, returnthe level to the full
power position (clockwise).
TROUBLESHOOTING
This troubleshooting section addresses
the most common problems that
prevent an infrared flasher from oper-
ating correctly.
Testing the Remote Control
Test that the hand-held remote control
operates the component when you
point it at the front panel (check the
batteries if it does not).
Main System Unit Power Supply
Check that the red power light on the
Main System Unit is lit(the wall adapter
should be plugged into an active AC
wall outlet and the wall adapter has to
be supplying 12V DC).
Adjusting the Flasher Level
WARNING! IRC-2 MICROFLASHERS
MAY BE DAMAGED BY EXCESSIVE
FLASHER LEVEL OUTPUT FROM THE
MAIN SYSTEM UNIT!
2.It prevents the IR output of the IRC-2
from radiating out into the room.
Mounting the IR Blocking Cover
Make sure the mounting surface is clean
before installing the blocking cover. You
may improve the appearance by trim-
ming the cover with scissors to exactly
cover the sensor window. Mount the
blocking cover (using the self-adhesive
tape) so that the IRC-2 and the IR sensor
window of the component are complete-
ly enclosed (See Figure 3).
inches from the plug, strip off 1/4”, and con-
nect your additional wiring between the ends
of the original flasher wire. For distances
between 10 and 20 feet, upgrade the
original wire to an 18gauge 2-conductor
wire. For distances of up to 200feet a 16
gauge 2-conductor wire should be used.
To prevent your A/V component from
receiving IR commands from sources
other than the IRC-2, the IR blocking
cover should be used.
Using the IR Blocking Cover
The plastic IR blocking cover is designed
to cover both the IRC-2 and the IR sensor
window of the component. The blocking
cover serves two functions:
1. It ensures that a component receives IR
signals solely from the IRC-2. FIGURE 3 Mounting the IR blocking cover
TECH TIP
Wire size is
expressed by its
AWG (American
Wire Gauge) num-
ber. The lower the
number, the larger
the wire, i.e. twelve
AWG is physically
larger than fourteen
AWG.
NILES
IRC-2
MicroFlasher™
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
910 12 13 1411 BLENDING HIGH FIDELITY
AND ARCHITECTURE
®
®
www.nilesaudio.com
Niles Audio Corporation
12331 S.W. 130 Street Miami, Florida 33186
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
©1999 Niles Audio Corporation. Because Niles strives to
continuously improve its products, Niles reserves the right to change
product specifications without notice. Niles, the Niles logo and
Blending High Fidelity and Architecture are registered trademarks of
Niles Audio Corporation. MicroFlasher is a trademark of Niles Audio
Corporation. Printed in USA DS00119B
®