ISO programmable IR on/off switch for USB power

August 25, 2023 6:05 PM

I asked this question previously about setting up a solar ir-controlled ornament spinner. Then I realized, wait, I have a USB power bank (for camping). If I got an ornament spinner that was USB-powered, then I'd be golden. So those exist. Now I just need to turn it on/off with the magic wand. Is there a switch I can use to do that?

So basically I'm thinking, all I need is an on/off switch that I could program to whatever IR frequency the magic wand uses. Do I really need an arduino board etc. etc. for that? I feel like this should be a thing that just exists out-of-the-box-ish.

Then I could put solar powerbank in window and connect it to powerbank -> usb cable -> ir switch -> ornament spinner (either directly or through another usb cable).

If found this but I"m not sure I can program it to use the magic wand. Can I? If not, does the part I"m picturing exist?

posted by If only I had a penguin... to Technology (4 answers total)

A microprocessor is wildly over powered for this application. That switch you linked should work though the format is a little awkward for your application. Something like this remote would allow you to package it how you liked but you would have to splice the usb ends on.

Usually things like magic wands have a learning mode where you can use your existing remote to tell the wand what signals to transmit to perform a function. In which case any IR receiver/switch that comes with a remote should work.
posted by Mitheral at 7:32 PM on August 25, 2023

Response by poster: The magic wand is an actual magic wand from Great Wolf Lodge. Its definitely not sonething I could program and even if I could, then it wouldn't;t work next time we go to great Wolf Lodge. I need the receiver to be programmable to switch on/off using whatever frequency the wand already transmits.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:35 PM on August 25, 2023

Ok. Neither of those will work then I don't think.

There are IR learning Modules available. The one I linked has dry contacts for the output and could be powered by your USB supply. You would also need a break out cable for the power.
posted by Mitheral at 8:17 PM on August 25, 2023

Personally, I'd say forget the solar panel. Just get rotater with a remote control, and use rechargeable batteries.
posted by kschang at 12:56 AM on August 26, 2023