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[Perplexer]

The Wii sensor bar only has a 12-foot cord.  This made hooking up to a friend's projector pretty difficult.

So tonight after the Super Bowl, I decided to wire up a self-contained sensor bar that doesn't plug into the console.  Since there was the chance it wouldn't work, here were my requirements:

1. Cheap.
2. Easy.
3. Must not be a pair of candles.  

--

Dig for parts...

1. Dual infrared emitters (PIC) - these come with various video equipment.  I don't know where mine came from but they are cheap on eBay.
2. 3V or adjustable power supply - I used one with interchangeable "adaptaplug" tips so I didn't have to cut/splice/solder/heatshrink any wires.  You could also use a couple AA or AAA batteries.
3. 3.5mm mono audio jack (PIC) - Available at Radio Shack or any electronics shop.
4. Soldering iron and solder.



Solder the power and ground leads of the 3.5mm jack to the corresponding pins on the adaptaplug.


Plug everything in:


Place on TV, or on wall when used with projector.





I'm pleased to say that the end result doesn't look like total crap, can be stored in a small space and transported easily, and actually seems to work BETTER than the original sensor bar (I can space the IR emitters further apart for better accuracy!)

Yeah, I should use a current limiting resistor or look up the rating of these infrared LEDs, but it's been running about an hour and still works... nothing has burned out.

[Perplexer]

I wasn't 100% happy with the first attempt even though it works perfectly.  I want to ditch the A/C adapter entirely.

Version 2 work in progress:



Just need to cut the perfboard down to size, and mess around with voltages.

A single CR2032 (3V) battery doesn't put out quite enough voltage for the IR emitter so maybe I'll go with two stacked CR2016s for 6V total, with a different resistor.

Wii!!

[tj85042]

Hows Ver. 2 going?

[deshman]

i dont know what everyone is talking about....the wire that came with my sensor bar must be atleast 15ft long.  How in the hell is that too short?  How far is your Wii from your TV?  Does EVERYBODY have projectors???  

[SR388]

QUOTE(Perplexer @ Feb 4 2007, 11:28 PM)

The Wii sensor bar only has a 12-foot cord.  This made hooking up to a friend's projector pretty difficult.

(Very top of the post)

QUOTE

i dont know what everyone is talking about....the wire that came with my sensor bar must be atleast 15ft long. How in the hell is that too short? How far is your Wii from your TV? Does EVERYBODY have projectors???

you're one heck of a reader......

anyways, I want to know how version 2 is going!
we need updates!

[Perplexer]

It's on hold, been busy with work and other projects.

I don't know anything about the "dual IR emitter" that I'm using, so I don't have the voltage and current correct for v2.  At the moment, it works but has less range than the original sensor bar.

Which makes sense.  These things were originally designed to send IR signals only a couple inches (the LEDs are probably not bright enough for this purpose, shooting 15+ feet.)

I'm thinking about scrapping the dual IR emitter and using standard IR LEDs and putting them on a strip of breadboard, or connecting two of Sickmods' LED boards together and using that.

[SR388]

QUOTE(Perplexer @ Feb 16 2007, 08:38 AM)

It's on hold, been busy with work and other projects.

I don't know anything about the "dual IR emitter" that I'm using, so I don't have the voltage and current correct for v2.  At the moment, it works but has less range than the original sensor bar.

Which makes sense.  These things were originally designed to send IR signals only a couple inches (the LEDs are probably not bright enough for this purpose, shooting 15+ feet.)

I'm thinking about scrapping the dual IR emitter and using standard IR LEDs and putting them on a strip of breadboard, or connecting two of Sickmods' LED boards together and using that.

Good idea, that way you know the correct voltage and also, I opened up the IR bar last night and noticed (as somehave already stated) that there really is a total of 5 IR LEDs on each side

QUOTE(deshman @ Feb 16 2007, 10:21 AM)

you obviously aren't either.  This was a general question and not specifically towards one person that does infact (actually his friend) has a projector.  Do you have a projector?  I know it's cool that you can have a wireless sensor bar, but everyone is all up in arms about it.  I just dont see what the big deal is.  

Please try harder when you insult me  

well lets see, plex states that the cord is 12ft right off the bat, not 15ft
12ft from a projector is very short, the picture would most likely be fuzzy or small at that range
It doesn't matter who has projectors, his friend does, and that is the main reason his is making this

all insults aside
Making your own bar can increase the range of the pointer
Projecter Screens are rather far away
Plus it is kinda cool just making your own stuff

[SR388]

nice, be sure to keep us updated !

[SR388]

yes and no

firstly, there is one in the works that will be for sale soon in amazon
secondly, you would need to tear apart a wii for the jack and a sensor bar for the cord and plug

not very hard, but not really worth it, you could always cut the cord and add and heatshrink your own wire in there but that doesn't look as clean

also, it is fun to built your own stuff and add IR range to it as may be needed

edit:
sorry for kinda taking over your thread plex

[Perplexer]

That's cool, I need to wrap up this post anyway and start from scratch

After about 90 minutes of solid use, the IR LEDs died in my dual emitter.  I guess the voltage was too great for the poor little guys.

So I'll be ordering some standard infrared LEDs and trying something different this time...

[SR388]

cool, can't wait to see it

I'll start on a homemade one as well once i get some funds flowing in