The scanning rate of the human eye cannot detect the scanning frequency of the infra red remote controller. A digital camera can and can convert the image to be seen by our eyes.
Flat remote controllers do not always provide the heat signature required for an appliance to operate correctly due to battery strength. Never assume a battery eg 1.5vdc is flat at 0Vdc
Typically a loss of 0.2 volts dc from a 1.5Vdc battery is enough to make it depleted.
Many mobile phone camera's can detect the infra-red signal, hold your phone camera to the remote eye and press any button to see if it lights up like in this picture. (not all mobile phone camera's detect)
Flat remote controllers do not always provide the heat signature required for an appliance to operate correctly due to battery strength. Never assume a battery eg 1.5vdc is flat at 0Vdc
Typically a loss of 0.2 volts dc from a 1.5Vdc battery is enough to make it depleted.
Many mobile phone camera's can detect the infra-red signal, hold your phone camera to the remote eye and press any button to see if it lights up like in this picture. (not all mobile phone camera's detect)
Remotely Speaking
We all use remote controls for many devices, air conditioning split systems is one example. Yet many service related problems come down to the ability for the remote to transmit the right sequence of information to the IR receptor on the indoor unit.
So before you call the technician out , maybe you might want to remove the possibility that the remote is the issue.
Well our eyes cant tell,, the scanning rate of the human eye cannot match the frequency of the infra red signature sent by the remote control eye. But your digital phone camera can. Simply hold it up to the remote eye, press and remote button and wait to see the light. And you see it... great but sorry that's no answer.
All you know is the remote is sending out a signal. Unfortunately what it cant tell you is that passive infra red works on changes of heat, this heat signature cannot be reached when the batteries are flat. Whats more annoying is that the indoor unit may still beep when you press the button. The issue is that the signal may not create the required function effect you chose but it can also do things you did not ask for. ?????
So your confused, hey that's ok. The majority of remote controls use 1.5vdc batteries and they are flat at 1.3vdc , not 0vdc
If you have a battery checker and the strip ones come with battery packs use it. Techs use a multimeter.
Never mix old and new batteries EVER!!! , the bad ones will drain the good ones while in standby, sort of like a charger. Although a bad one at that.
And please do not wait for the LCD screens to go dull before you change them out. they are likely flat before then.
One other annoying reason why remotes do not work. High efficiency fluorescent lighting , even compact fluro lights can emit a frequency that splatters the remotes heat signature. If this problem happens at night try use the remote with nearest fluro light off.
Lastly the SUN>>>>> yes our solar mate if in direct light contact with your IR receptor panel will be the ultimate signal blocker to a remote unit. Close the curtains.
We all use remote controls for many devices, air conditioning split systems is one example. Yet many service related problems come down to the ability for the remote to transmit the right sequence of information to the IR receptor on the indoor unit.
So before you call the technician out , maybe you might want to remove the possibility that the remote is the issue.
Well our eyes cant tell,, the scanning rate of the human eye cannot match the frequency of the infra red signature sent by the remote control eye. But your digital phone camera can. Simply hold it up to the remote eye, press and remote button and wait to see the light. And you see it... great but sorry that's no answer.
All you know is the remote is sending out a signal. Unfortunately what it cant tell you is that passive infra red works on changes of heat, this heat signature cannot be reached when the batteries are flat. Whats more annoying is that the indoor unit may still beep when you press the button. The issue is that the signal may not create the required function effect you chose but it can also do things you did not ask for. ?????
So your confused, hey that's ok. The majority of remote controls use 1.5vdc batteries and they are flat at 1.3vdc , not 0vdc
If you have a battery checker and the strip ones come with battery packs use it. Techs use a multimeter.
Never mix old and new batteries EVER!!! , the bad ones will drain the good ones while in standby, sort of like a charger. Although a bad one at that.
And please do not wait for the LCD screens to go dull before you change them out. they are likely flat before then.
One other annoying reason why remotes do not work. High efficiency fluorescent lighting , even compact fluro lights can emit a frequency that splatters the remotes heat signature. If this problem happens at night try use the remote with nearest fluro light off.
Lastly the SUN>>>>> yes our solar mate if in direct light contact with your IR receptor panel will be the ultimate signal blocker to a remote unit. Close the curtains.
Things to help you get the most out of your home refrigerator
Domestic refrigerators work much harder than any coolroom system.
When you open up the door to get food out, you are opening a whole WALL??
Overloading is very easy with refrigerators , especially during holiday times, like Christmas . Easter.
So things you should know about helping your refrigerator cope better.
1 - Always keep a refrigerator loaded with stock. , Having nothing in the fridge does not save power, in fact it will use more. When a refrigerator is loaded to reasonable expected capacity it will bring products down to design storage conditions over time. Then those products become secondary thermal mass which will assist in removing heat from other newly loaded stock. It will also reduce short starting when doors are opened by absorbing heat from air changes when refrigerator dooors are opened. You see a thetmostat is a temperature switch, all it needs is air change to set it off and with no load in the refrigerator it will react too quickly.
2 - Power failures and power surges are the killers of refrigerator compressors. Where possible if you can turn off the power switch to you refrigerator when the power goes out , it will assist to prevent failure in the compressor. When the power is restarted , it can sometimes cause surges or soemtimes be erratic, turning on and off a few times before you have full restore. This is the time when refrigeration compressors are morst vulnerable to fusion. You MUST remember to turn the power switch back on when all is normal otherwise your food will go bad.
3 - During party's or holiday times where you buy more food and stock the refrigerator more than usual , it can be a strain. Consider a second smaller refrigerator for food products where you dont need to access it as much. When people open and close the refrigerator doors too often for drinks, beers , wines, soda's etc the refrigerator has too much load on it. Better off to use another refrigerator for drinks and separate the food from it. This way spoliage and mold is kept to a minumum.
4 - Having a separate freezer in the house is always a good idea. Frozen foods are not as accessed and as such having the ability to store cooked food in a frozen environment saves money. Most average domestic refrigerators have limted freezer space. A second freezer only is sometimes a good option.
5 - Hydrocarbon gases such as R600a are far more efficient and use less power than conventional gases. The industry is changing and you should be seeing these gases now in refrigerators. They can also withstand a higher ambient which is good. They are flammable but so is your BBQ gas (propane / LPG) or your tank of gas/petrol in your car which is also hydrocarbon based. Keep an eye out and save money with these highly efficient refrigeration gases. Look for the refrigerant type on the product lable in the refrigerator at you local whitegoods supllier.
6 - Vegetables stored in refrigerators do not always last as long due to mold and wilting. They require a much higher relative humidity to keep fresh. Cutting leaves off vegetables extends the life, such as if you cut off the leaves and the base of a celery and keep all the stalks. It will keep the food longer. Vegetables have a high mositure content which attracts mold over time. Mold is dormant but once germinating will show the white spores we all are familar with. Keeping food air tight is a good idea. Mold travels in the air too.
7 - Listeria is a bacteria that can grow in refrigerated conditions. Keep an eye on use by dates. Freezing food does not eliminate bacteria , it only suspends it. Always use the guides for frozen storage with seafood, chicken , pork and beef. and discard products in the refrigerator after use by dates have expired.
8 - Proteins are the most dangerous of all the food groups. , Eggs, Fish, Chicken , Meat , Dairy. store these in the colder zones of the refrigerator and avoid using the shelves in the doors. Defrosted proteins such as frozen fish, chicken nuggets should be consumed or thrown out, never refrozen.
9 - Give your refrigerator a spring clean every so often as it can collect residue at the bottom, also check any drip trays under the fridge. Using a warm damp cloth you can clean it out and adding vanilla essence to water can give it a nice smell without using harsh chemicals.
10 - If you have bought a new refrigerator, let it run for a while to bring the cabinet down to temperature. Never stock a new refrigerator. The metals have load and they need to be abated before adding stock. The freezer is vulnerable at this time until stable. A good 4 to 6 hrs as a guide.
When you open up the door to get food out, you are opening a whole WALL??
Overloading is very easy with refrigerators , especially during holiday times, like Christmas . Easter.
So things you should know about helping your refrigerator cope better.
1 - Always keep a refrigerator loaded with stock. , Having nothing in the fridge does not save power, in fact it will use more. When a refrigerator is loaded to reasonable expected capacity it will bring products down to design storage conditions over time. Then those products become secondary thermal mass which will assist in removing heat from other newly loaded stock. It will also reduce short starting when doors are opened by absorbing heat from air changes when refrigerator dooors are opened. You see a thetmostat is a temperature switch, all it needs is air change to set it off and with no load in the refrigerator it will react too quickly.
2 - Power failures and power surges are the killers of refrigerator compressors. Where possible if you can turn off the power switch to you refrigerator when the power goes out , it will assist to prevent failure in the compressor. When the power is restarted , it can sometimes cause surges or soemtimes be erratic, turning on and off a few times before you have full restore. This is the time when refrigeration compressors are morst vulnerable to fusion. You MUST remember to turn the power switch back on when all is normal otherwise your food will go bad.
3 - During party's or holiday times where you buy more food and stock the refrigerator more than usual , it can be a strain. Consider a second smaller refrigerator for food products where you dont need to access it as much. When people open and close the refrigerator doors too often for drinks, beers , wines, soda's etc the refrigerator has too much load on it. Better off to use another refrigerator for drinks and separate the food from it. This way spoliage and mold is kept to a minumum.
4 - Having a separate freezer in the house is always a good idea. Frozen foods are not as accessed and as such having the ability to store cooked food in a frozen environment saves money. Most average domestic refrigerators have limted freezer space. A second freezer only is sometimes a good option.
5 - Hydrocarbon gases such as R600a are far more efficient and use less power than conventional gases. The industry is changing and you should be seeing these gases now in refrigerators. They can also withstand a higher ambient which is good. They are flammable but so is your BBQ gas (propane / LPG) or your tank of gas/petrol in your car which is also hydrocarbon based. Keep an eye out and save money with these highly efficient refrigeration gases. Look for the refrigerant type on the product lable in the refrigerator at you local whitegoods supllier.
6 - Vegetables stored in refrigerators do not always last as long due to mold and wilting. They require a much higher relative humidity to keep fresh. Cutting leaves off vegetables extends the life, such as if you cut off the leaves and the base of a celery and keep all the stalks. It will keep the food longer. Vegetables have a high mositure content which attracts mold over time. Mold is dormant but once germinating will show the white spores we all are familar with. Keeping food air tight is a good idea. Mold travels in the air too.
7 - Listeria is a bacteria that can grow in refrigerated conditions. Keep an eye on use by dates. Freezing food does not eliminate bacteria , it only suspends it. Always use the guides for frozen storage with seafood, chicken , pork and beef. and discard products in the refrigerator after use by dates have expired.
8 - Proteins are the most dangerous of all the food groups. , Eggs, Fish, Chicken , Meat , Dairy. store these in the colder zones of the refrigerator and avoid using the shelves in the doors. Defrosted proteins such as frozen fish, chicken nuggets should be consumed or thrown out, never refrozen.
9 - Give your refrigerator a spring clean every so often as it can collect residue at the bottom, also check any drip trays under the fridge. Using a warm damp cloth you can clean it out and adding vanilla essence to water can give it a nice smell without using harsh chemicals.
10 - If you have bought a new refrigerator, let it run for a while to bring the cabinet down to temperature. Never stock a new refrigerator. The metals have load and they need to be abated before adding stock. The freezer is vulnerable at this time until stable. A good 4 to 6 hrs as a guide.
Car Air conditioners.
So your car air-conditioner does not cool too well?
Well read below and make sure you get value for money
Firstly , a car air-condioner is very powerful. it is designed to deal with more heat load than any normal air conditoner given the area it has to cool and how hot a car can get sitting in the sun.
When a car airconditoner does not work it comes down to a few factors.
1 - Compressor pumping inefficiency.
2 - Blocked or dirty condenser including the fans that keep air moving through it and any restrictions to flow of refrigerant such as a blockage.
3 - Electrical malfunction where the major components do not run
4 - Broken drive belts for the compressor.
5 - Refrigerant or gas leak
It is the 5th one that you must not let people take advantage of you. You may have heard of air conditoner summer re-gas specials. They advertise it saying if your air conditioner is not working properly.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING!!!
Refrigerant does not need re-vitalising, it does not need refreshing , it will last longer than your lifetime. When was the last time you heard of your own refrigerator needed some re-gas before summer?
The refrigerant can leak out due to flexible hoses and other weakeneses in a vehicle that is always subject to moving, vibration and impacts. Mostly cars are well designed to minmise this.
If you have had a gas leak out and it needs a re-gas, they MUST find out where the leak came from and why. In some countries it is illegal to knowingly re-gas a leaking refrigeration system. If they cant tell you where it leaked from, they are not doing their job. It needs to be pressure tested to standards.
Do not fall for the re-gas nonsense. If they re-gassed it, ask them where it leaked from and where was the problem. If they cant tell you, there are government authorites you can advise if your not happy and if it does not last or cool again shortly after the work was done. Refrigeration systems are sealed systems. They do not leak ever. If they do, they must be found and stopped. The montreal protocol is all about minimising refrigerant losses to the atmosphere to reduce ozone depletion and global warming.
Thats what a fully licensed and qualified refrigeration/air-conditioning trades-person is paid to do. Never to profiteer off leaking car air conditoners.
Well read below and make sure you get value for money
Firstly , a car air-condioner is very powerful. it is designed to deal with more heat load than any normal air conditoner given the area it has to cool and how hot a car can get sitting in the sun.
When a car airconditoner does not work it comes down to a few factors.
1 - Compressor pumping inefficiency.
2 - Blocked or dirty condenser including the fans that keep air moving through it and any restrictions to flow of refrigerant such as a blockage.
3 - Electrical malfunction where the major components do not run
4 - Broken drive belts for the compressor.
5 - Refrigerant or gas leak
It is the 5th one that you must not let people take advantage of you. You may have heard of air conditoner summer re-gas specials. They advertise it saying if your air conditioner is not working properly.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING!!!
Refrigerant does not need re-vitalising, it does not need refreshing , it will last longer than your lifetime. When was the last time you heard of your own refrigerator needed some re-gas before summer?
The refrigerant can leak out due to flexible hoses and other weakeneses in a vehicle that is always subject to moving, vibration and impacts. Mostly cars are well designed to minmise this.
If you have had a gas leak out and it needs a re-gas, they MUST find out where the leak came from and why. In some countries it is illegal to knowingly re-gas a leaking refrigeration system. If they cant tell you where it leaked from, they are not doing their job. It needs to be pressure tested to standards.
Do not fall for the re-gas nonsense. If they re-gassed it, ask them where it leaked from and where was the problem. If they cant tell you, there are government authorites you can advise if your not happy and if it does not last or cool again shortly after the work was done. Refrigeration systems are sealed systems. They do not leak ever. If they do, they must be found and stopped. The montreal protocol is all about minimising refrigerant losses to the atmosphere to reduce ozone depletion and global warming.
Thats what a fully licensed and qualified refrigeration/air-conditioning trades-person is paid to do. Never to profiteer off leaking car air conditoners.
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