/Projects/IR light dimmer v1

This is a very simple IR light dimmer that you will wish to have sooner or later, especially those who are lazy enough to get up and turn off the lights. There are two versions of PCB for two sizes of capacitors, so PCBs are: 32.5 x 26.5mm and 28.5 x 27mm.
You can download the project files at the bottom of this page by clicking on red "download" button.

dimmer2

Features of current beta version of firmware:

- Soft start (gradually turning on the light bulb)
- Soft down (gradually turning off the light bulb)
- Learning IR codes from RC5 and NEC remotes
- Dimming in 10 levels by using only IR remote
- Previous dimm-level remembering when operating with remote
- Sleep timer in duration of 1.6min for 60Hz version and 2min for 50Hz version
- ON/OFF control with wall pushbutton

Dimmer is connected to existing home wiring installation inside a junction box, which is usually located above the light switch. In order to properly connect the dimmer to installation one should follow the schematics provided for that purpose. If connected differently there is a very big chance of some freaky side effects such as burned PIC microcontroller, serious fire and who knows what else.

Learning remote control IR codes (programming procedure)
After connecting dimmer to installation you must program the remote control buttons. Here is how to do that:

1. Hold the wall pushbutton for 11 sec so that dimmer can enter programming mode. After those 11 sec, LED will start to blink fast, and light will dimm to third (3.) level. Now you have 11 sec to complete the programming sequence:
2. Press the first button on your remote that will increase light level or turn on the light when it is turned off (ON/UP)
3. Press the second button on your remote that will be used to decrease the light level (DOWN)
4. Press the third button that will be used for activating/deactivating sleep mode (SLEEP)
5. Finally, press the fourth button that will be used to turn off light completely (OFF)

During programming, both the light bulb and LED will blink to confirm IR code reception. If your remote control does not have all 4 buttons that you can use, you can repeat previous button but that will cancel out some features. For example, if your remote has only two buttons (A and B), and if during programming you press: A A A B, that means that key A will be used for ON/UP function, and key B will be used to completely turn off the light. If you choose combination A B B B, it means that the key A will be again used for ON/UP function, and key B will be used to decrease light level (it will also turn the light off completely in 10 button presses - until zero level).
Programming notice: If during programming, you notice that LED blinks even when you don't press any buttons on your remote control, it is probably because you used TSOP11xx instead of TSOP17xx receiver module. In that case, you will probably not be able to program your dimmer properly.
If you are not satisfied with your choice of remote controller buttons, you can repeat the learning procedure as much as you like.
If you are planning to use your TV's remote controller, you should probably choose those teletext buttons: red, green, yellow and blue to avoid, for example, switching channels when operating the dimmer.

Sleep timer
Sleep timer can be activated by a bit longer wall-pushbutton press, more than 1.8 sec to be precise, or by pressing the appropriate button on the remote controller. Sleep timer cancellation is accomplished just like the activation. It is possible to increase/decrease the light level when sleep timer is active. Dimmer will automatically set the light level to six (6) when entering the sleep mode, but only if previous level was greater than 6.

dimmer1

Important notice: This device is connected to mains power line, so it requires a lot of respect. If you are not sure in what you are doing, you better leave the installation part to the experienced electrician.

Dimmer in operation:

Note: Dimmer works better with TIC206 rather than TIC216!

Author (sent by): Trax

Download counter: 55,305

Rating: (3.00, votes 8151)

Vote:

Date: 07-02-2009

Lokalna verzija ove stranice: IR dimmer svjetla v1

617_ir_light_dimmer_v1.zip

Bookmark and Share Comments (387)

comment [297]

It works!!! It works!!!!!! it works!!!! sorry for my exclamation lol but i m very happy... finally it works! damn Tsop distribution pins!!!! Thnks again Trax and most of all four your patience! Jorge from Argentina...(220v-50Hz)
IP: 190.16.97.116

comment [296]

Thank You Trax, the problem was te Tsop pins, now its ok, in the pic I have 5v between pin1 and pin8... Anyway there is a program problem... when I push botton 11 sec, light turns on and led blinks for some seconds... but cant set it with the remote control... i figure there s a frecuency problem with the IR maybe...
IP: 190.16.97.116

comment [295]

You should measure voltage between pins 1 (Vcc) and 8 (GND) and there you should see around 5V! If you don't have around 5V there then you have some problem with wiring or faulty components. You can test that part without the PIC in the circuit. After you get 5V between 1 and 8 pins then you can plug in your PIC and go to the next step.
IP: n/a

comment [294]

Sorry in my last post I meant between pin1 and pin8 (live)
IP: 190.16.85.208

comment [293]

Thank You Trax for your great project!!! I finallly get the smd components...not working, but the good new is nothing has exploded :) I ve check Pic vcc between pin number1 and Neutral and there is 2v... is it right??? I dont think so... Thanks in advance and for you patience!!!
IP: 190.16.85.208

comment [292]

The SMD parts are 0603 :-)
IP: n/a

comment [291]

Thanks for sharing this project!!! are you using 0805 smd resistors?? or 0603??? thnks!!!
IP: 190.16.85.208

comment [290]

:)) no i know that mode, it s more weak, and if it s activated after 2-3 min. the lamp will go off. :) ok i dont have chance to do circuits again, so i plan to use more higher watt lamp. does it supply my need? will i get more brightness on 10th level.? thanx
IP: 91.198.49.2

comment [289]

I think he activated "sleep mode" which sets brightness to 60\%.
IP: 89.146.171.82

comment [288]

ok thanx for the info, so i plan to use higher watt halogen than the current one, so it suplies my need. by the way great project, if u think cost and effects :)
IP: 91.198.49.2


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