"shake" switch?

D

D Yuniskis

Guest
Hi,

I've got a programmable remote that has a switch
inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to
see when you have picked the remote *up*). It
uses this signal to "turn itself on".

Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch.
I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation
and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on
(it then turns off after a short timeout to
conserve batteries).

I suspect this is just a ball rolling across
a set of contacts so that any motion causes
a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken*
contact to *make*.

But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to
time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no
problem -- just wack the thing until it
decides that you have "moved it" :> But, if
it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling
"motion" to the electronics inside), then
the batteries get depleted in short order
(less than a day!)

The switch itself is encased in a metallic
jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say
it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism).

Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement
part)? Or, how to *fix* it?

Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner
isn't a solution... :<
 
I'm not trying to be funny.

Find a pillow. Then slam the remote against it with as force as you can
muster, preferably from multiple directions.

This might knock loose the sensor.
 
William Sommerwerck wrote:
I'm not trying to be funny.

Find a pillow. Then slam the remote against it with as force as you can
muster, preferably from multiple directions.

This might knock loose the sensor.
Click to expand...
I don't think it is "permanently stuck".

I've tried your solution -- *without* the pillow! -- each
time it has refused to shut off. So far, it has worked
each time. But, it is very inconvenient -- put the remote
down and forget to check it 15 seconds later (to verify
it has powered down) and you end up with dead batteries!
 
I've tried your solution -- *without* the pillow! -- each
time it has refused to shut off. So far, it has worked
each time. But, it is very inconvenient -- put the remote
down and forget to check it 15 seconds later (to verify
it has powered down) and you end up with dead batteries!
Click to expand...
What brand/model is it? Most remotes -- at least, those with a high-drain
display -- shut themselves off after a user-selected timeout.
 
William Sommerwerck wrote:
I've tried your solution -- *without* the pillow! -- each
time it has refused to shut off. So far, it has worked
each time. But, it is very inconvenient -- put the remote
down and forget to check it 15 seconds later (to verify
it has powered down) and you end up with dead batteries!

What brand/model is it? Most remotes -- at least, those with a high-drain
display -- shut themselves off after a user-selected timeout.
Click to expand...
Something from Radio Shack (I'll have to get a magnifying
glass to read the damn microscopic part number molded in the
plastic).

Yes, this shuts down in about 10-15 seconds. WHEN IT WORKS!
(I suspect there may be a way to adjust it -- I know I can
adjust the brightnes of the lamp -- but regardless of the
timie limit, it still suffers from not wanting to *reliably*
turn itself off).

I've learned not to give it an *excuse* to stay on. I.e.,
don't leave it on the sofa as each time you shift your
position the thing *wants* to turn on. But, even leaving
it on the floor (concrete slab) you have to watch it to make
*sure* it turns off. <frown>

I may just remove the damn switch and rely on "pressing
a noncritical button" to wake the thing up (though you
can't see where the buttons are with the light off!!)
 
You might want to look at the X-10 universal remote. I got it about two
months ago for $50 and free shipping, though it's not currently available at
that price. (Quite a products -- it also controls X-10 modules.) It shuts
itself off reliably.
 
D Yuniskis wrote:
Hi,

I've got a programmable remote that has a switch
inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to
see when you have picked the remote *up*). It
uses this signal to "turn itself on".

Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch.
I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation
and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on
(it then turns off after a short timeout to
conserve batteries).

I suspect this is just a ball rolling across
a set of contacts so that any motion causes
a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken*
contact to *make*.

But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to
time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no
problem -- just wack the thing until it
decides that you have "moved it" :> But, if
it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling
"motion" to the electronics inside), then
the batteries get depleted in short order
(less than a day!)

The switch itself is encased in a metallic
jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say
it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism).

Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement
part)? Or, how to *fix* it?

Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner
isn't a solution... :
Click to expand...
Is it possible to make a little hole in it to get some silicone or
contact cleaner in there.
 
D Yuniskis <not.going.to.be@seen.com> wrote in message
news:hdcmj5$8ml$1@aioe.org...
Hi,

I've got a programmable remote that has a switch
inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to
see when you have picked the remote *up*). It
uses this signal to "turn itself on".

Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch.
I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation
and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on
(it then turns off after a short timeout to
conserve batteries).

I suspect this is just a ball rolling across
a set of contacts so that any motion causes
a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken*
contact to *make*.

But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to
time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no
problem -- just wack the thing until it
decides that you have "moved it" :> But, if
it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling
"motion" to the electronics inside), then
the batteries get depleted in short order
(less than a day!)

The switch itself is encased in a metallic
jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say
it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism).

Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement
part)? Or, how to *fix* it?

Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner
isn't a solution... :
Click to expand...

usually called a trembler , see automobile alarm systems
 
William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hdealb$3sa$1@news.eternal-september.org...
usually called a trembler...

Wasn't that a Vincent Price movie?
Click to expand...
Wasn't it the Tingler?
The essence of fear taking on the form of a lobster / section of spine, as
it is that creature that gives the tingling. Complete with one on a string,
run over the heads of the audience in the cinema
 
usually called a trembler...

Wasn't that a Vincent Price movie?

Wasn't it "The Tingler"?
Click to expand...
Yes. I was being a wise-ass.


The essence of fear taking on the form of a lobster / section
of spine, as it is that creature that gives the tingling. Complete
with one on a string, run over the heads of the audience in the
cinema.
Click to expand...
That was actually a skeleton, in "House on Haunted Hill", dubbed "Emergo".

Thought a William Castle production, the movie is quite so bad as you might
think. (It's generally considered Herr Schloss's masterpiece.) It's also the
first movie with a reference to LSD.

Rent "Matinee" if you can find it. It's a spoof of Castle and his ilk. The
movie itself is a bit slack and lacks focus, but is worth seeing for John
Goodman's performance as Castle -- and even more for his latest film,
"Mant!", a perfect send-up of '50s sci-fi/horror flicks. (It even has
William Schallert as a libidinous dentist, plus cameos from other veterans
of that era.)
 
On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:35:43 -0800 "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in Message id:
<hdeele$4t3$1@news.eternal-september.org>:

That was actually a skeleton, in "House on Haunted Hill", dubbed "Emergo".

Thought a William Castle production, the movie is quite so bad as you might
think. (It's generally considered Herr Schloss's masterpiece.) It's also the
first movie with a reference to LSD.
Click to expand...
I LOVE that movie! That was the first movie to give me a real scare when I
was a kid - When that old ladies ghost came floating through the wall in
the basement I practically pissed myself.
 
mark wrote:
D Yuniskis wrote:
I suspect this is just a ball rolling across
a set of contacts so that any motion causes
a *made* contact to *break* or a *broken*
contact to *make*.

But, the damn thing seems to stick from time to
time. Of course, if it sticks "off" that's no
problem -- just wack the thing until it
decides that you have "moved it" :> But, if
it sticks *on* (i.e., if it keeps signalling
"motion" to the electronics inside), then
the batteries get depleted in short order
(less than a day!)

The switch itself is encased in a metallic
jacket. Two terminals (axially). I'd say
it is about 1/8x1/8x1/2" (a rectangular prism).

Any ideas how to replace this (i.e., replacement
part)? Or, how to *fix* it?

Unit appears to be sealed so contact cleaner
isn't a solution... :

Is it possible to make a little hole in it to get some silicone or
contact cleaner in there.
Click to expand...
I suspect doing so will run a good risk of breaking
the thing. Perhaps a small "dremel" drill would
be delicate enough.

But, I am not sure that even cleaning solution would work.
E.g., it's *sealed* so contaminants shouldn't have been
a problem. It could just be the "ball" (if that is what's
inside) has worn the "lands" on which it rides such that
there isn't a reliable contact anymore. Low voltage
contacts are notorious for this sort of problem (and
I seriously doubt the assembly uses any precious
metals to alleviate this!)
 
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:46:36 -0700, D Yuniskis
<not.going.to.be@seen.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

I've got a programmable remote that has a switch
inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to
see when you have picked the remote *up*). It
uses this signal to "turn itself on".

Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch.
I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation
and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on
(it then turns off after a short timeout to
conserve batteries).
Click to expand...
Could it be a piezo shock sensor? Is it mounted at 45 degrees on the
PCB?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:46:36 -0700, D Yuniskis
not.going.to.be@seen.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

I've got a programmable remote that has a switch
inside that is used to detect motion (i.e., to
see when you have picked the remote *up*). It
uses this signal to "turn itself on".

Note that it is NOT a (typical) mercury switch.
I.e., I can leave the remote in *any* orientation
and just "tap" it to get it to turn itself on
(it then turns off after a short timeout to
conserve batteries).

Could it be a piezo shock sensor?
Click to expand...
Doubtful. I *really* suspect it is just a metal
ball with lots of opportunities to make and break
a circuit (and these *differences* are what the
processor uses to determine if the device is
"being moved")

Is it mounted at 45 degrees on the PCB?
Click to expand...
No.
 
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