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Remote control kits

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#489
Hi Mikkel,

Could you get back to me as soon as you can regarding my order please? I have everything I need for my project except the input selector.

All I need is an update on the shipping time - when it will be dispatched, and confirmation of the small amount to be refunded to me.

Many thanks.

Mike.
 
#491
Input1 module working from Cambridge Audio controller

Hi Mikkel.

I have successfully got my Input1 module working off the Cambridge Audio front panel controller, with full remote function. 🙂 The only thing I haven't figured out is how the tape loop works. I have made connections per your schematic for using the TC9163. When I press the 'Tape monitor' button on the front panel the K6 relay comes on and the other relays switch off. This works fine as an extra input but I would prefer to have the tape loop facility for completeness.

Another odd thing is that when I connect the mute as per your drawing I get a double click when I change inputs. I haven't probed with the meter to see whats happening on that yet. If I hit the mute button on the remote there is a click which I would assume is the K7 output relay. Otherwise its working fine without the mute connected, just one clck each time an input is selected.

Below will be some photos. A bit messy as its the testing/proto stage right now. Once the Tape is sorted out I'll have an adapter PCB made up so the TC9163 chip can mount neatly on the board.

l_35b35bf224e04ef0a5c579d89afa1604.jpg

l_3ebc0251bb4644aba39c33f6aa82a994.jpg

l_0ff2b46d0c3b4b3883f6bcce141314a1.jpg
 
#492
Another odd thing is that when I connect the mute as per your drawing I get a double click when I change inputs. I haven't probed with the meter to see whats happening on that yet. If I hit the mute button on the remote there is a click which I would assume is the K7 output relay. Otherwise its working fine without the mute connected, just one click each time an input is selected.
Click to expand...

Had a poke around with the meter on continuity test. Whats happening is the output relay (K7) is momentarily switching on between input changes. Basically you press another input button and the current input goes off while the mute relay comes on simultaneously followed by the new input relay coming on and the output relay going off simultaneously. That make sense?! 😀 Is this supposed to happen?

I put some music through it via an old Marantz CD player and headphones, all works very well with virtually zero pop or click. When pressing the mute button on the remote the mute relay (K7) goes on and shorts to ground but as no music is passing this part of the circuit at the moment I still get music on the headphones. I'm not sure if I will bother to route the signal through the mute relay as the amp will have an output relay on the power amps which will provide a small delay on switch on to avoid 'thumps'. I'm not sure yet what to do with this as the thought of the music passing through and extra relay doesn't seem a great thing. As it is the signal will pass 2 relays so maybe one more wont hurt.

Looking forward to your advice on the tape loop function.

Rgds,
Mike.
 
#493
Hi Mikkel. I tried connecting the TC9163 to the regulated +5v supply and it seems to be working absoloutly fine. As the onboard PSU is powering the extra ic plus the contol board I have increased the value of C7 to 2200uF. I also fitted a low noise reg as I had it spare, probably overkill but what the hell! 🙂 Ive installed the heatsink which seems to get quite hot but stabilizes at a certain temp, not going any higher.

Ive just drawn up my first PCB using the free software 'ExpressPCB'. All it is is a small adapter board that takes a SOIC-28 "TC9163" chip and enables it to go in a DIP16 socket with the necessary connections between pins/pads to make the circuit work. Were talking a tiny tiny board here.

When I use the option to calculate the board cost Im getting $102!!!! WTF! this only 1sq" PCB FFS!!!! For the basic of basic boards - no silk or mask!!

OK, sorry for shouting. Whats the deal here? When I select the option to get a itemized calculation of cost I'm being hit with a $55 'set up fee per order'. This is for 2 boards which is the minimum order qty. Its annoying having just spent a couple of hours designing the board...

Are there any cheaper solution's out there?

Picture below, needs tidying up a bit.

l_5e1c04846b7e461ba039d59ab2cd5312.jpg


I managed to use some available PCB traces to install the ribbon cable:
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/100/l_1938cc574ed34124884b7e53f6af1af3.jpg
 
#494
Anyone heard from Mikkel?

I want to try making this adapter using the SDIP-28 version of the TC9163. Does any one have a SDIP-28 template for the ExpressPCB software?

Mikkel,

I could use your expertise on this please, would be a big help.

PS: Decided not to bother about the tape loop, but if you have the time I would still like to know how to use it (if possible).

TIA
Mike.
 
#496
mikesnowdon said:
Had a poke around with the meter on continuity test. Whats happening is the output relay (K7) is momentarily switching on between input changes. Basically you press another input button and the current input goes off while the mute relay comes on simultaneously followed by the new input relay coming on and the output relay going off simultaneously. That make sense?! 😀 Is this supposed to happen?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is supposed to happen. Mute is being switched on during the input change. This is a good idea when using the CMOS switch, but not a great idea when using relays. Cambridge probably did not consider relays when they wrote the software 😉

OK, sorry for shouting. Whats the deal here? When I select the option to get a itemized calculation of cost I'm being hit with a $55 'set up fee per order'. This is for 2 boards which is the minimum order qty. Its annoying having just spent a couple of hours designing the board...

Are there any cheaper solution's out there?
Click to expand...

ExpressPCB may be fast, but not cheap. You can get a 16*10cm board at €30 + VAT from Olimex. But you have to figure out what to use the remaining space for 🙂

Did you get the tape monitor function working?

Best regards,

Mikkel C. Simonsen
 
#497
ExpressPCB may be fast, but not cheap. You can get a 16*10cm board at €30 + VAT from Olimex. But you have to figure out what to use the remaining space for
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Do you know of a freeware PCB design software that they can accept drawings from? Im working a small regulator board at the moment which could be used to fill up the rest of the space. There might even be a group buy on it soon..

Did you get the tape monitor function working?
Click to expand...

Based on what you described in your email I'm pretty sure it already is working, I just need to check the 'REC out' with the meter to verify.

The focus of my attention at the moment is a neat adapter PCB for the TC9163. I did one in Express PCB using the SOIC package but its not ideal (see post #493). I want to draw a board using the SOP-28 package but there's no component legend for that in the component library. The software does have the facility to make custom components but I have no idea how to do that.

For now I'm looking at doing something with short wires soldered to the chips pins then potting it in resin, but I would prefer a PCB.
 
#498
mikesnowdon said:
Thanks for the info. Do you know of a freeware PCB design software that they can accept drawings from?
Click to expand...

You can find full versions of some of the old DOS software. But that may not be the most user-friendly option. I think you can use a demo-version of Eagle. It has a limited max. board size or number of parts (not sure), but it may be enough for this.


Im working a small regulator board at the moment which could be used to fill up the rest of the space.
Click to expand...

All you have to do is draw the boards, and make a drawing showing how to place them on the 16*10cm space. And remember to use their standard drill sizes, to avoid extra charges.

Best regards,

Mikkel C. Simonsen
 
#500
remote1: missing central page of manual; can you help?

I bought the remote1 some time ago and want to make changes. I just discovered that I managed to misplace the center leaf (pages 7/8/9/10) of the manual. And of course Murphy's law implies that those pages are the important ones (for one thing they contain the table with the jumper settings...).

Can some kind soul who also has that kit and who still has the complete documentation do me the big favor and scan the front and back of that sheet (pages 7/8/9/10) of the manual and send them to me? I imagine that even a good photo should do.

Right now I am just hosed... 🙁

PM me if you can help. I would be most grateful!

Peter
 
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