Repurposing an LED RF Remote to control 'anything'!

Parts list (incomplete, see Instructables for more, affiliate links):
Aliexpress:
Ebay:

In this project I will show you how to repurpose an LED RF remote in order to control pretty much anything you want with it. That means we will have a closer look at the transmission process of the RF remote, read in the sent data with an Arduino µC and use it to control a solid state relay. This way I switch on/off LED lamps, but you can use this technique for other appliances.

Websites which were shown during the video:

Thanks to JLCPCB for sponsoring this video

Music:
2011 Lookalike by Bartlebeats

[wsc]

Just one minor correction for the terminology at 6:40 or so, the data is encoded, not encrypted... minor difference in words, but huge difference in meaning.

[giliant]

New drinking game.
Each addition person who suggests an antenna, drink.
Great video.

[shadowwarrior]

Thank you so much, for ripping appart one of these rf remotes. I'm also working on a project using them but didn't want to spend the money/ or time to test it out my self... Thank you!

[nevellgreenough]

After attaching a proper antenna as others have said, it also will help to tune the receiver by adjusting the brass slug in the small coil for best range. Most of the ones I've bought have been significantly off-frequency (typically 3-5MHz high). Also watch out for mis-assembled ones. They've screwed up the biasing of the first transistor, saturating it hard. Good receivers can achieve about -100dBm detection sensitivity or better. Bad ones barely make -80dBm. Nice video.
--N2GX

[ncofab]

I was impressed with the use of the solid state relay with main power. give me hope for a couple of ideas I had. Thanks 👍

[johncrunk]

I didn't see an antenna on your "el cheapo" receiver. I use these all the time and with a coil antenna, they work fine anywhere in the house.

[WoLpH]

In case you're interested in working with these types of RF remotes and receivers, I recommend the RFXCOM device. It's a bit expensive but well worth it. The support is absolutely amazing, I once had a few devices that didn't work, after shipping them he had them shipped back to me and added support for them within a week.

[madangyawali]

Thanks a lot for this videos. I always wanted to demodulate and use my rf remote for some of my project and you helped me out today with this video. All your videos are inspiring and useful to me thanks man keep it up.

[RinksRides]

was going to do something like this but with the RF receiver from an automotive remote starter for a car to basically run a preset weekly schedule in the winter to warm the car before setting off to work, based on an ATmega88, RTC module (for schedule keeping), and a few high powered mosfets for controlling the high current wires from the ignition switch.

[pedrofilipeqo]

Hello GreatScott,

I suggest you make a video on how to better understand a datasheet. Some technical terms like "thermal resistance" and other technical terms that can sometimes be misinterpreted.

[ovalwingnut]

GR8T, Scott. You are the "spin" in our electrons. Thank you.

[MrEdwardhartmann]

I have some motion controlled outdoor LED lights that have a feature where if you flip them off and right back on within about 2 seconds, it turns the lights on continuously and overrides the motion control. If you turn it off for more that 2 seconds, the motion controls are re-enabled. I think I would have tried something like that in your situation. Flip on the switch - both come one. Flip it off shortly and back on and the white leds go out but the colored ones stay on. Up-side - no remote to misplace. Down-side - remote will allow additional controls like picking the color of the leds.

[qbman]

“G3MB-202P”: we pronounce the “minus” as “dash”. Love your videos. Keep them coming.

[s.j.p]

What can be done with any old smartphone lying around or it’s motherboard. (Übrigens bewundere ich Ihr Wissen😊).

[CEzikMaj]

Top 10 most iconic sounds in the world:
creative, and I nextimeee

[johnhartwell]

Thanks for documenting your good thinking here!

[americanrebel]

This was AWESOME! Elctronics are so fascinating to me, I wish I had an ability like yours my friend.

[yksw]

I see, now you are becoming a real technician and master of yourself! Playtime off mode, serious stuff is coming! 😊

[ucmRich]

Thank you pal :-D I feel your pain on having to use something you didn't want to use after a while in the end. That happen to me now and again too.

[SuperLastTrain]

good video.

btw, you can avoid relay sparks/arcs by connecting a 1uf ceramic capacitor in series with a 10-100 ohm resistor, between relay contacts.