Cheap Projector Control

[Cache]

Hi all

 

I have just installed a projector into a room where I'm 99% certain the remote will walk within a day if I leave it there. Overnight I got to thinking that actually I could probably just install a simple wall box that will switch the projector on/off, however looking at projector controls I'm not willing to pay £150 for one!

 

Anyone have any guides/useful sites for potentially building a cheap simple serial control for a projector?

 

Thanks

[Chris_Cook]

At one point I was working on something with an Arduino Micro and some IR LEDs/Sensors. I gave up, because it was going to be too much work to box it up neatly for the number we wanted. Not sure what I did with the code.

 

If you have serial control as an option, then perhaps a usb-serial adaptor and a logon/logoff script would work? Qt5 and python both have serial modules. You would need to get hold of the serial commands for your projector. I've done this for some of our digital signage screens.

 

These days, we just charge the department for the missing remotes. Oddly, they often turn up when they find out how much they will be...

[Rob_D]

The wall boxes we've used before run an IR single down an optical cable with the other end taped over the receiver on the projector/screen (it's not as dodgy as it sounds). It should be possible to do something similar by cannibalising a spare/replacement remote, some fiber cable and a double gang wall box.

Or what about something a little more low tech, like this?

[Cache]

We have serial as an option (it's an Epson eb-x27), perhaps I'll just screw the remote to the wall I just thought it would be tidier with a switch box of some description.

 

I'd love to charge departments but it's in an IT room that is being used more for teaching this year (at the other end of school) and nobody looks after it anyway as it is, it's hard enough trying to keep track of damage in there but hey ho, what do I know!

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[timbo343]

How much for a remote? We bought an eb-x27 from this site https://www.unicompparts.com/spare-parts-c27/remote-controls-c5 as it went walking too or you could get some steel rope, a pad lock, 2 brackets and some wire rope ends to make a loop oh and some gorilla glue. Edited August 31, 2017 by timbo343

[Rob_D]

I'd love to charge departments but it's in an IT room that is being used more for teaching this year (at the other end of school) and nobody looks after it anyway as it is, it's hard enough trying to keep track of damage in there but hey ho, what do I know!

 

We had a similar situation with one of our Computer Suites, in the end we had a checklist of things that the teachers had to sign off at the end of each lesson. It sort of worked, in at least we had a better idea of who was using the room when things got broken/missing. And (for us anyway) it gave the teachers some sense of ownership.

[NB9457]

Here's what we have done in some places:

 

Opened up the remote, drilled a hole straight through where there isn't any components, then put a bolt through, nut at the end linked to a piece of chain with some thread lock to make it difficult to undo, then the other end of the chain drilled to the wall with washer, with the remote in a little holder.

 

It then lives in range of the projector screen, can point it to the projector to switch inputs/ turn it on and off and it can't easily go missing without a large amount of negligence.

[Cache]

How much for a remote? We bought an eb-x27 from this site https://www.unicompparts.com/spare-parts-c27/remote-controls-c5 as it went walking too or you could get some steel rope, a pad lock, 2 brackets and some wire rope ends to make a loop oh and some gorilla glue.

 

Sorry, meant £150 for a wall mounted remote: http://cpc.farnell.com/vision-av/tc3-ctl/techconnect3-control-module/dp/AV26426

[Guest MD5T]

What you need sir is to stick the remote to a chain and cannonball, or at very worst, a shopping trolley [emoji6]

[Fazza]

Hi all

 

I have just installed a projector into a room where I'm 99% certain the remote will walk within a day if I leave it there. Overnight I got to thinking that actually I could probably just install a simple wall box that will switch the projector on/off, however looking at projector controls I'm not willing to pay £150 for one!

 

Anyone have any guides/useful sites for potentially building a cheap simple serial control for a projector?

 

Thanks

 

We use a Unicol Remoteguard security cage that is screwed to the wall and we've not had one remote control go 'walkies' since we installed them! They normally around £45 each (when ordering 10 or more). We were spending silly money each year on replacement remote controls and after 3+ years we've not only broken even on the spend but also saved money and a lot of time and hassle too.

 

Edited August 31, 2017 by Fazza

[timbo343]

Sorry, meant £150 for a wall mounted remote: Techconnect³ Control Module - VISION AV | CPC

 

I re-read the initial post and noticed you meant a wall mounted remote , though i do think it's a bit over kill. I'd be tempted to put in the remote for now to see what happens. If you find it goes walk abouts, then buy a new remote and get the following:

 

Padlocks -

Keyed Alike Padlocks | Padlocks | Screwfix.com

 

Anchor Points - One on the desk (screwed) and one on the remote glued with gorilla glue

Dee Ring and Mounting Bracket Zinc Plated - from Absolute Industrial Ltd UK

 

Gorilla glue (the one that is ultra tough and needs water to make it expand - its very very tough and expends to 4x the size)

Gorilla Multipurpose Glue Use for Wood Stone Metal Ceramic 60ml | eBay

 

or - Stixall (we have stuff held up with this stuff - again, very strong) https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p60981?mkwid=sliZb7JzT_dc&pcrid=142453205744&pkw=&pmt=&product=60981&gclid=Cj0KCQjw557NBRC9ARIsAHJvVVMxclfM

 

Wirerope - Wire Rope Grey 4mm x 10m | Wire Rope & Accessories | Screwfix.com

 

Wire rope accessories - Make a loop one end for the padlock and loop the anchor and remote to the other and secure with accessories Wire Rope Accessories Grey 4mm x 8 Pack | Wire Rope & Accessories | Screwfix.com

 

or have a look here Wire Rope & Accessories | Rope & Chain | Screwfix.com

 

That should do the trick - no one will run off with the remote now.

[Cache]

Thanks all, to be honest the site you linked to @timbo343 is far cheaper then I've been able to source remotes for in the past so that's been saved anyway!

 

Will perhaps see how it goes, now it's being used more I might be proved wrong....

[NB9457]

If all else fails, they still have either the trusty metre stick or that one really tall kid to do it for them.

[john]

http://spcontrols.com/prodcat.php?hierId=40 < these can be found on google for £40-60 if you hunt around and find some older stock. eBay is also a good spot

[AlanD]

We try to buy projectors that have LAN support - and therefore come (usually anyhow) with a "web" pop up remote - and we provide a link to that via a staff web portal (with some asp code that selects the correct projector relating to that teacher PC)....and never give any user a remote control.

[southhamster]

We've found that ancient remotes will often still work for many functions if they're the same make. Several 9 year old Epson remotes will still do the basic things.