INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
291-80
CFL FRIENDLY INFRARED RECEIVER
The 291-80 is a small shelf-top infrared repeater assembly. It is a CFL (compact fluorescent light) friendly
version of the 291 Hidden Link series. It is specifically designed to have great immunity to CFL type infrared
interference and to have exceptional IR reception range. In addition, the 291-80 will operate in direct
sunlight!
The291-80 isequippedwitha7-footcableand3.5
291-80 IR Receiver
mm stereo mini plug, which is plugged directly into
Hand Held
Remote
the "IR RCVR" jack on the CB12 (included). It can
Equipment
Mounted
also be plugged into the "AUX" or "IR RCVR" jack
781RG
Behind
Closed
Doors
Power Supply
(Not Included)
Satellite Receiver
7-Foot 3-
Conductor
Cable with
Quick Connect
Mini Plug
onotherXantechconnectingblocks, suchasmod-
els 789-44, CB-60 and 791-44. The mini plug
provides quick installation where the connecting
block is within reach of the 7-foot cable — as when
installing the 291-80 in a cabinet where the con-
trolled equipment is behind closed doors. How-
ever, the cable length can be easily increased to
accommodateanydesiredapplication. SeeFig. 4.
VCR
To 120 V AC
(Unswitched)
Model 286M
Dual Blink IR™
Mouse Emitter
(Not Included)
IR
3-Conductor
Cable to IR
Receivers in
Other Rooms.
(Optional - See
Fig. 3)
RCVR
CB12 Connecting Block
(Included)
INSTALLATION
A typical system is shown in Fig. 1. Refer to this
diagram when making connections:
Fig. 1 The 291-80 in a Typical IR Repeater
42 kHz
Inthissystema286MDualBlink-IREmitter isshownconnectedtothe
"OUT" jack. A single emitter could also be used, such as the model
282M or 283M. If expansion beyond two emitters is required, use a
Xantech 789-44, CB-60 or 791-44 Connecting Block in place of the
CB12. Do not use the CB12 in this case.
48 kHz
38 kHz
Full CCW
56 kHz
Full CW
32 kHz
291-80
Adjusting the IR Carrier Frequency
Adjustment
The 291-80 is factory set to an IR carrier repeat frequency of 38 kHz.
This will be correct for the majority of installations. However, some
manufacturer's components that you wish to control may use different
Fig. 2 IR Carrier Frequency Adjustment
carrier frequencies (such as the RCA DSS receivers that use 56 kHz). If such carrier frequencies fall within
the range of 32 kHz to 56 kHz, you can adjust the 291-80 to match them for best range performance. The
adjustment can be made through a small opening on the rear panel. See Fig. 2.
To adjust, proceed as follows:
1. First, try the 291-80 in a repeater system. If it works well with good range, do not make any
adjustments!
2. If it does not work or has poor range (less than 15 feet), determine the IR carrier frequency of the
product you wish to control. Contact the manufacturer of the product, if necessary, to determine this
frequency.
3. Usingasmallbladetypescrewdriver(3/32"bladewidthmax.), rotatetheadjustmentshaftuntiltheslot
lines up with the desired frequency marking. Refer to Fig. 2.
NOTE: The frequency markings shown in Fig. 2 are approximate only. You may need to "fine tune"
the adjustment for best performance.
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TROUBLE SHOOTING
1. The 291-80 has been designed to have high rejection of many sources of interference, such as the
following:
• Compact Fluorescent, Neon or Halogen lights, Neon Art, and light dimmers.
• Direct or reflected sunlight.
• Infrared security sensors (active types).
• RF radiation from TV sets that may be close to the 291-80 IR Receiver.
However, in the presence of extremely intense interference from such sources, you may experience
a reduction in range between the handheld remote control and the 291-80. This may result in a
reduction from over 70 feet to 15 feet or so.
2. To improve the range under these conditions, you need to confirm the source of the interference by
temporarilyturningoffTVsets,etc. Inaddition,reducetheexposureofthe291-80IRReceivertodirect
sunlight and turn off all lights, light dimmers and Infrared security systems. Then check to see if the
range improves.
When you have isolated the interfering source, it will be necessary to move either it or the 291-80 IR
Receiver to improve operation.
3. If the red Talk-Back LED on the 291-80 or the 286-00 Emitters do not blink when you are sending IR
commands from a remote control, check the following:
• Make sure the 781RG power supply is plugged securely into a live 120V AC wall outlet.
• Be sure the stereo mini plug of the 291-80 IR Receiver is plugged into the "IR RCVR" jack on the
CB12 Connecting Block, not into the "OUT" jack.
• Check to see that all the mini plugs are properly seated into the mini jacks on the CB12 Connecting
Block.
4. If the 286-00 Emitters blink, but the component does not respond, reposition the 286-00 Emitter(s).
They may not be located directly over the component’s infrared receiving "window". Consult the
owner's manual of the unit or the manufacturer for the exact location of the infrared "window".
5. CAUTION: Do not use more than one 291-80 in a given room or area! If two or more 291-80's,
(or other Xantech CFL friendly IR receiver) receive the same IR signal simultaneously, the system will
not respond.
6. If the system still does not work, contact the dealer from whom you purchased the 291-80, or contact
XANTECH Technical Support at 800-843-5465.
APPLICATION PRECAUTIONS
The 291-80 is designed with special circuitry so that is has great immunity to infrared interference caused
by CFL (compact fluorescent light) and other types of high frequency electronically ballasted fluorescent
lights. Becauseofthis, thefollowingprecautionsmustbetakenintoconsiderationwhenusingthesespecial
IR receivers:
1. Do not use more than one 291-80 in a given room or area!
If two or more 291-80's, (or other Xantech CFL friendly IR receiver) receive the same IR signal
simultaneously, the system will not respond.
2. The291-80(orotherXantechCFLfriendlyIRreceivers)willnotoperatewithXantechproductsthat
use 679 and RC16 Programmer commands!
Thisincludesmodels670-00, 671-00, 676-00, 677-00, 680-00, 686-00andRT16-00. Forinstallations
using these products, use standard Xantech IR Receivers, such as the 291, 480, 490, and 780-10
series.
3
291-80
3. The 291-80 (or other Xantech CFL friendly IR receivers) do not have improved operation over the
standard Xantech IR Receivers in the presence of magnetically ballasted (60 Hz) fluorescent
lighting.
You may choose to use the CFL friendly units in most applications anyway, since they will have
superior rejection to other types of IR interference that may exist in the same installation.
4. The 291-80 will not operate in 2-wire Phantom Power mode.
SPECIFICATIONS
• IR modulation frequency bandwidth: 30 to 60 kHz.
• Adjustable IR carrier frequency: 32 to 56 kHz (allows matching to actual controlled component for
optimum performance).
• IR reception range: Up to 70 feet on axis (range depends on device being controlled and levels of IR or
EM interference).
• Red talkback LED tests system for correct wiring as well as indicating infrared reception.
• Nominal reception angle: 45 degrees off axis.
• Attached 7' cable and 3.5 mm stereo mini plug permits direct plug-in to Xantech Connecting Blocks that
have an "IR RCVR" or "AUX" jack, such as the CB12, CB20, CB60, 789-40, 791-40, etc.
• Cable requirements for long lengths:
Three-conductor/24 gauge solid or stranded wire up to 200', 22 gauge up to 600', 20 gauge up to 2000'
and 18 gauge up to 5000' (unshielded OK).
• Maximum cable length: One mile with 18 gauge.
• Maximum current output: 100 mA.
• Use Xantech Connecting Blocks for connection to emitters.
• Power Consumption: 12 volts DC @ 20 mA.
781C-00 Power Supply (not included) powers up to six 291-80's.
• Dimensions: 3-1/4" x 1" x 2".
2-24-00
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291-80
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