EntertainmentYou will see this often
Infrared remote
Also called TV remote, IR remote.
A finished infrared transmitter. The LED is the only component worth moving, and only after the remote itself is dead. A working remote plus the receiver from the TV is a complete link.
A donor is the dead machine. The parts below are what is still worth removing from it. “Leave it” is a part that is physically in there and should stay in there: too dangerous, too worn, or only useful as part of a repair you are not doing.
A scrapped machine is a box of parts that failed at different times. The reason it was thrown out is often one bad piece. The motor, the cord, the supply, and the screws are frequently still good. This index says which is which.
Why it is in the trash while the parts are not
The TV died, or someone loaded it with leaking alkaline cells.
Before you open it
Do this while it is still unplugged, cool, and not leaking. Take the cells out. Clean carbonate before it eats the board.
Where the dead machine usually is
- Living room and entertainment stack — In the house
- Junk drawer and cable box — In the house
The couch. Also the junk drawer, with the cells still in it, leaking.
How it comes apart
One screw in the battery bay, then clips. The LED is at the front.
Tools: Small screwdriver, Isopropyl.
What to take
The table is the short version. The notes under it describe that part inside this machine, not only the general description.
| Part | Call | How many | How often | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared LED | Prize | 1 | always | The nose. |
| Tactile switch | Bonus | many | always | The keypad. |
| Coin cell | Bonus | 1 | sometimes | Some remotes. |
| Battery clip and holder | Worth pulling | 1 | usually | AAA or AA bay. |
| Enclosure | Bonus | 1 | always | The shell. |
Prize
940 nm class, pulsed by the board.
The nose.
A working remote is more useful than the diode.
Good if the remote still flashes on a phone camera.
Worth pulling
Springs and contacts.
AAA or AA bay.
Clean them.
Corroded often.
Bonus
Conductive rubber, not discrete switches. The carbon wears.
The keypad.
Not worth transplanting.
Worn.
CR2032.
Some remotes.
Test.
Flat.
A shape that fits a hand.
The shell.
The clips break.
Fine.