IR153 quit working

I had the same problem. The board went bad inside. Replace the whole unit.

Larry

Thanks Larry,

I'm hoping i can just change a component and get it working again  i have two of them and there both acting the same way 

thanks, vic 

Which version of the 153IR do you have - 2002 or 2015?  See this thread.

If you have the newer version I am confident I can help you if you're willing/able to make measurements and work at (de-solder, solder) the component level.   Most of the components are inexpensive and available; there are proprietary components like the programmed-processor IC where it's game-over (can't be replaced).  See this thread for a tear-down. 

If you have the older version, I can probably help you though it will be a game of 20 questions.

Hi Stan, After reading your thread it sounds like the IC chip is toast, Like Larry mentioned earlier unless someone has a way to replace the chip.

Your thoughts its the older version

Thanks, Vic

Stan, one interesting thing just happened, i picked the unit up and it activated. crossing worked but the timer didn't covered the sensor again and the signal went off.  tried again and the nothing.  weird eh?

Intermittent behavior is a troubleshooting nightmare to be sure!

If you have the older style version, then it probably does not have a programmed IC chip.  But peeling another layer of the onion (in that it will make you cry!), there are (at least) 2 older versions.  From member Charly in one of the referenced threads, here's the guts of two older versions:

There is no programmed micro-controller IC chip here.  OTOH I'm not sure it's worth your time to troubleshoot these obsolete versions other than simple verification of whether the Infrared LED is functioning (using your smartphone or digital camera to see purple glow).  IR LEDs are easy to replace and cost maybe 10 cents - one of those you pay more for shipping than the part.

Another thought.  If you're having intermittent timer-delay behavior, it could be a dirty delay control potentiometer.  In this recent thread, a squirt of electrical contact spray cleared up the problem. 

That is, the time delay in these circuits is proportional to the resistance value of the variable resistor knob (potentiometer).  The component is a sliding wiper and if it doesn't make firm contact, the resistance value goes to infinity which makes for an infinite time delay and screws up everything.  So it may be worth a minute of your time to spray the wipers of the two potentiometers with contact cleaner as you swipe the knobs thru their range of motion.

Hi Stan, Thanks for the feed back.  The board is the one on the right.  I will try the contact cleaner trick.  there maybe hope yet.

Like your adventure its worth trying to fix bc I have nothing to loose at this point. I haven't messed with it tonight though it seemed that to get it to work one had to find the sweet spot on the timing and sensitivity pots.

Thanks,

Vic

Good evening Stan and our members,  I finely had a chance to try the contact cleaner trick on one of my 153 IR units. After spraying the potentiometers as suggested it began to work again.   I still don't have the full range of adjustment yet but at least i'm headed in the right direction.. as a foot note it also helps to clean the track/ acc power source switch.  It to appeared to be causing some minor issues.  Thanks again for the suggestions.  This is exactly why I'm a member of this terrific forum. 

Hope this data will help the next member in some way 

Best Regards !!

Dciguy08 posted:

... I finely had a chance to try the contact cleaner trick on one of my 153 IR units. After spraying the potentiometers as suggested it began to work again..

We've been trained to lube engines, clean track, etc...but who would have thunk this kind of maintenance is required for occupancy sensors! 

These track activation devices seem to work better with power wires soldered directly to the track and attached to the wire clips on the unit

Dennis, I haven't tried that so far I've run from transformer power only.  Up till this christmas time when I set everything up, i had not problems. I'm not sure if its due to sitting in a box for 10 months or what.  I still have my holiday layout up and running and so far so good.