Hi All,

My setup has been going great for years, until I decided to add my new Amazon Fire Stick and accidently pulled a emitter wire too hard!!!!

I suspect the broken wires shorted my RFX9600's emitter outputs as if the RFX9600 is connected to my Xantech block, none of my IR emitters operate.

If I connect an emmitor directly to the unit, it does flash however fails to control anything!

Question 1: has anyone tried to repair a RFX9600 board?

Question 2: I have been told that next time I need to install a diode between RFX9600 & Xantech block, Has anyone done this?

Any help would be appreciated.

Many Thanks
Daniel

These are all over ebay for less than $100 Is it really worth it to try to repair?

If you haven't figured out exactly what happened when you disturbed the wiring, replacing the RFX9600 may not be productive. If a directly connected emitter flashes, the RFX9600 is likely OK. Can you connect a known good emitter to another port on the RFX9600 as a test? Do you have a multi-meter with a diode test function? If so, check all of the emitters.

Which Xantech block are you using?

Totally agree, I live in Australia and they aren't as common, however I did buy one today for $50 AU

I run two blocks. ZC21 & 790. I have an image of my setup via link.

I shorted the TV emitter connected to Zone 1 of the ZC21 which is also connected to the RFX9600.

When RFX9600 is plugged into any 1 of the 4 outputs it kills my whole ir network even with new emitter.

When RFX9600 is disconnected everything is OK.

RFX9600 with an emitter connected directly only controls 50% of devices utilising old codes.


[Link: drive.google.com]


How do I test in diode mode??

I like the idea of diode isolating the various sources.

Does the RFX9600 work if it is the only source on Input Zone 1? Have you tried using another RFX9600 output port? For the first test you don't need to reprogram anything, simply check to see if the network goes down.

IR emitters are a simple LED, usually with a series resistor. When connected to the diode tester you will have conductivity in one direction, but not in the other direction. The testers usually indicate a voltage in the conducting direction. The voltage indication should be similar for all of the emitters.

It would be great to monitor the ZC21's inputs with an oscilloscope. You could monitor the inputs with a multi-meter, but it is difficult to predict exactly what you will read. Check both DC and AC voltages and compare readings for the various sources while sending the same IR code. I don't recall offhand exactly what the output of the various sources. Probably a logic '1' is +12V. If the voltage collapses or goes to a rail when the RFX9600 is connected, that's a strong hint that there is an issue with the RFX9600.

Thanks Mate,

Ill try the below tomorrow morning.

To answer the below, if ports1,2,3 or 4 on the RFX9600 are connected to Zone 1 or Zone 2 on the ZC21 it kills the zone and all emitters light up like a Christmas tree.

The RFX9600 is connected from the 3.5mm jack to the screw terminals of the ZC21 GND & IR only.

If I use a standard emitter on ports1,2,3 or 4 on the RFX9600 they do work however they only operate 50% of items, and its a little bit hit and miss.

I will do some further testing as per your suggestions, and will install a 1n4148 diodes on both the GND and IR to ensure I don't blow up another RFX9600.

After removing and replacing the emitter I screwed as well as removing the RFX9600 the system is bullet proof again...

I have also pulled apart the only RFX9600 and it smells a little bit but there are no burns etc.


Thanks again for your guidance.

Oh, then the RFX9600 has shorted to the positive rail. You can confirm this by measuring its output voltage.

You only need to insert diodes in the IR leads. Each diode will drop the drive voltage by about 0.6V