Problem with remote receiver battery drain...

[alphatunes]

I have an off-the-shelf 12V remote and receiver combo. Here's a vendor's pic and description -- not the exact model, but close enough: http://www.dinodirect.com/315-433MHz-Wireless-Remote-Control-Switch-System-AK-RK02B-12-AK-SF02.html

I'm using the remote to open and close a Firgelli PQ12-S actuator. Problem I have is that the receiver is always looking for the signal, and, therefore, always draining the battery. I'm using the smallest 12V I can find (MN21/23), similar to what you use in a garage door opener.

How do I prevent the battery from being drained? I'm new to this, so this is causing me problems. I'm wondering, is there another type of remote I should be using?

My goal is to be able to press a button on a remote and cause an actuator to open and close without running through a million batteries every five minutes. Is this so much to ask?

Thanks in advance!

 

[(*steve*)]

Well, the simple answer is that you need to turn the receiver on and off. To do this you have another remote. But that remote's receiver will also drain the battery, so you need yet another remote control to turn that on and off, and another to turn that on and off, and another, and another, and another...

OK, clearly, if the receiver is to be ready to operate it must be turned on. Typically, receivers are located near the device to be operated and the remote is located away from it (and generally from a power source). This is great because the transmitter needs only a brief burst of power as it transmits (which it can get from a small battery). The receiver, which must be powered continuously, can be powered from the same source as the load.

Thus, the simple solution is to operate the receiver from the power source that the actuator uses. I presume this is the mains, or a larger battery. If it is the mains, you will need a plugpack (wall wart) with decent filtering. If it operates from a battery then you will need to decouple and filter it (presuming it has sufficient voltage to drive the receiver).

The last option is to use a much larger battery that will last longer than 60uS (you must be really fast at changing batteries!)

 

[alphatunes]

Thanks, Steve.

Sorry about the delay in response. I have brought in someone who is more knowledgeable than I am to help out, and I'll pass along the info you have provided. Again, thanks!