Xantia Keyfob - Saxo Keyfob

jmd · Post by **jmd** » 07 Nov 2010, 16:22

Two questions .
(1)The Keyfob on my Saxo is faulty. I have insertrd several new batteries which die within 24 hours. This I put down to a faulty fob. Is this problem curable & how ?.
(2) I have a keyfob for an usused Xantia. Can this Fob be programmed for the Saxo ?.

Post by **CitroJim** » 07 Nov 2010, 16:41

(2) I don't know the answer to but (1) could be one of the push-button switches being permanently held down. Might be worth taking it all apart and checking that the rubber parts are not holing the yellow tip of the button down...

jmd · Post by **jmd** » 07 Nov 2010, 17:55

Tried that one CitroJim and the buttons are free. but obviously something similar would appear to be happening, when the batteries are continually getting drained.

Post by **myglaren** » 07 Nov 2010, 19:06

Try holding it in front of a digital camera (not SLR) and see if the IR LED glows constantly.

Post by **Paul-R** » 07 Nov 2010, 19:17

myglaren wrote:Try holding it in front of a digital camera (not SLR) and see if the IR LED glows constantly.

What an excellent tip. I knew that IR can be picked up by CCTV cameras but hadn't made the logical jump to include the now ubiquitous digital cameras.

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 08 Nov 2010, 16:27

Ah, but not all digital cameras are equal!

I've discovered that not all digital cameras can 'see' in near IR. My elderly phone camera, antique Fuji camera, and older Nikon all do, but my dinky new Nikon ultra-compact doesn't. May be to do with its incredible sensitivity - I can use it as a colour image intensifier in the deep dusk when I can only see in shades of grey.

It's a handy trick for checking IR remotes, but test the camera first!

Jaspwieser · Post by **Jaspwieser** » 08 Nov 2010, 16:36

IR light will only be picked up by a camera with a mono (black & white) chip.

Post by **Paul-R** » 08 Nov 2010, 19:12

I think it may be more to do with whether the camera uses CCDs or triple CMOS detectors. I think that the better cameras now use triple CMOS.

JamesQB · Post by **JamesQB** » 08 Nov 2010, 21:57

IR will be detected by most digital cameras and mobile phone cameras. Although most have an IR filter in place in front of the lens, some IR gets past when using a direct source like an IR LED. I've tried many digital cameras and mobile phones, and all so far detect IR readily, as a white light (because it equally excites red, green and blue pixels).

You could build this, which I made and works well:

Great for checking remote controls (dunno about keyfobs, are they 38KHz?). Parts easily got from eBay or Maplins, etc. For the IR detector, you can just grab almost any 3-pin type from an old TV, VCR, DVD player, etc.