Ramsey Electronics WCT3 Manual

Wireless control tester

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Wireless Control

Tester

Ramsey Electronics Model

The WCT3 is designed to provide an easy to use diagnostic tool to aid in

identifying problems with wireless remote control devices and systems.

These include but are not limited to automotive keyless entry, starter and tire

pressure systems, wireless building access systems and even your

entertainment remote control devices using 315MHz, 433MHz, 125KHz,

20KHz and Infrared signals.



Verifies presence of 315MHz, 433MHz, 125KHz, 20KHz and

Infrared control signals remote control signals generated by

remote control devices such as:



Automotive keyless entry key fobs, keyless ignition , tire pressure sensors



Building keyless access systems



Entertainment / media systems



Simple one button operation



Surface Mount Technology Components



Operates on standard 9V battery

FEATURES

WCT3  1

WCT3

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for Ramsey Electronics WCT3

Page 1 Ramsey Electronics Model WCT3 The WCT3 is designed to provide an easy to use diagnostic tool to aid in identifying problems with wireless remote control devices and systems. These include but are not limited to automotive keyless entry, starter and tire...
Page 2 2010 by Ramsey Electronics, Inc. 590 Fishers Station Drive, Victor, New York 14564. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or duplicated without the written permission of Ramsey Electronics, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. WCT3  2...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
“Learn as you Build” ** ....... 12 Assembly Steps ......... 14 Schematic Diagram......18 Operational Check ......23 Final Case Assembly ......24 Using The WCT3 ....... 25 Troubleshooting ......... 27 How To Get Help From Ramsey ..32 User Notes ......... 31 Warranty ..........33 ** IMPORTANT!: Please read notes about cleaning the circuit board.
Page 4: Introduction
Because of this you may find that it is necessary to adjust the position of the WCT3 and device being tested in relation to each other in order to obtain signal indication. This is normal operation. Remem- ber that the WCT3 provides a basic indication of signal generation.
Page 5: Theory Of Operation
THEORY OF OPERATION The WCT3 consists of 4 separate stages, one for each of the wireless control signals to be detected. The sections are basically identical in operation but each is specifically designed to detect the signal of interest. In order to keep things simple we will describe the basic operation of one section and then briefly describe the differences between the sections.
Page 6 R14 and R15. U2 , like U1, has 4 identical parts with one being used for each of the WCT3 sections. What U2B does is look at the signal applied to U2B pin 6 from amplifier U1B pin 7 and compares it to a predetermined volt- age level set by R14 and R15 on U2B pin 5.
Page 7 The Infrared section of the WCT3 is the least critical section even though the infrared signal is near the frequency range of visible light. This is because the device that captures the infrared signal, Q1, easily responds to signals in the frequency range of light.
Page 8 “Input/Filter” section of the infrared section. This means that virtu- ally any infrared or light signal will be indicated by the WCT3 as long as it is modulated so you can use it to test any virtually any remote that uses infrared and a carrier signal.
Page 9 For the same reason, if the light source is moved rapidly past the WCT3 you may also see the indicator flash indicating detection of the light. You are actually modulating the IR signal seen by the WCT3 by blocking and unblocking or moving the light source, (OOK modulation). An infrared control turns the signal on and off in specific patterns and rates which are decoded by the device being controlled.
Page 10: Parts List
WCT3 PARTS LIST Each type and value of a surface mount component, (indicated by “[smt]”), is placed in its own labeled baggie. Be aware not all [smt] com- ponents have value markings so be careful not to mix them up. In the parts list an “X”...
Page 11: Parts Layout Diagram
1 9V battery snap clip with red and black wires 1 Antenna bundle assembly (Pre-Assembled. DO NOT DEFORM) 1 WCT3 Circuit board 5 5/16” nylon LED spacers 1 Case assembly (includes 4 screws, red end cap (VERY dark red), top & bottom case shell, belt clip)
Page 12 - not to mention your ego! Kit building tips: !!! IMPORTANT !!! DUE TO THE EXTREME SENSITIVITY OF THE WCT3, ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN THE ROSIN FLUX FROM THE BOARD MAY RESULT IN DE- GRADED PERFORMANCE OF THE UNIT. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE USE OF ONLY NO-CLEAN ROSIN CORE SOLDER.
Page 13 9. If you have too much solder and wish to remove it, use a solder sucker or solder wick to “soak up” the extra solder. Solder bridges on SMT IC pins are a frequent occurrence so you should always have some solder wick handy. WCT3  13...
Page 14: Assembly Steps
Now we’ll start installing the resistors and capacitors. We will install each value as a batch to keep from mixing them up. Unless otherwise instructed all these components can be installed in either direction as long as they are placed within the areas indicated for each. WCT3  14...
Page 15 26. Install R17, 6.8K ohm resistor Find the little bag containing the five(5) 10K ohm resistors, marked 103. 27. Install R12, 10K ohm resistor 28. Install R14, 10K ohm resistor 29. Install R16, 10K ohm resistor 30. Install R21, 10K ohm resistor WCT3  15...
Page 16 40. Install C2, .001uF capacitor 41. Install C11, .001uF capacitor 42. Install C13, .001uF capacitor The ten(10) .0.01uF capacitors are next 43. Install C5, .01uF capacitor 44. Install C6, .01uF capacitor 45. Install C7, .01uF capacitor 46. Install C8, .01uF capacitor WCT3  16...
Page 17 This will melt the pad solder first and allow it to flow onto the capacitor pad. Check the alignment and then sol- der the other connection. REMEMBER!! DO NOT clean the circuit board!!! WCT3  17...
Page 18 You may find that one or more of the LED’s does not have a flat area in which case the short lead is used as the orientation indicator. WCT3  20...
Page 19 Take note of the ties indicated as “TR1”, “TR2” and “TR3” in the following steps. Be careful not to deform the bundle as overall perform- ance of your WCT3 may be degraded. 71. Looking at the antenna bundle, identify the 2 wires exiting the bundle on either side of cable tie “TR1”.
Page 20 ANTENNA PLACEMENT Figure 2 WCT3  22...
Page 21: Operational Check
If you have a signal generator capable of generating these signals you can use them to test the detector circuits by simply connecting them to a test lead wire and placing it near the WCT3. Remember that signal strength and physical placement of the source and WCT3 will affect...
Page 22: Final Case Assembly
That’s it… You’re all done and ready to test all those remote control systems you’ve always wanted to test. We hope you enjoyed building your WCT3 and enjoy using it for may years to come.
Page 23: Using The Wct3
Using the WCT3 1. Press and hold the “Press To Test” button on the WCT3. The “Test Ac- tive” indicator will illuminate and any or all of the “315MHz”, “125KHz”, 20KIHz and “IR” indicators may flash momentarily. 2. With the WCT3 activated and in close proximity to the device being tested, activate the device being tested.
Page 24 315MHz signal test: While holding the remote control in close proximity to the WCT3, activate the WCT3 and then the device under test. Results:  WCT3 indicates 315MHz signal.  Problem?  If no signal indication is obtained there is a problem with the device such as a dead battery or other electronic problem.
Page 25: Troubleshooting
If you stump us, which doesn’t happen very often, then we may ask you to return your WCT3 and we will do our best to correct the problem. Read on for a few other things to try specific to the WCT3 before you give up and call.
Page 26 “+” connection of the battery , [+8.5V to +9.1V].  Connection between R22 and R23 , [+4.5V to +5.2V]. WRONG MEASUREMENT(s)? Make sure you have a fresh battery. Then make sure C3, R22, R23, R7 and D1 are the correct values and properly installed . WCT3  28...
Page 27 We’ll refer to the 315MHz section for this discussion but the steps apply to all sections of the WCT3, just refer to the schematic and trans- late the references to match the applicable section.
Page 28 IN CONCLUSION Ideally your WCT3 functioned the first time and you didn’t need to use this section. Hopefully if you had a problem and have gotten this far everything is working now. Otherwise it’s easy for me to say that the WCT3 operation is fairly straight forward and easy to troubleshoot but after all I designed it.
Page 29: User Notes
USER NOTES: WCT3  31...
Page 30 HOW TO RETURN YOUR WCT3 FOR SERVICE OR CONTACT US FOR MORE HELP If you are still unable to solve your kit problems you may send your kit in for repair. For instructions on how to return kits for repair please see the “Factory Repair of Assembled Kits”...
Page 31: Warranty
“1K ohm” resistors are actually the “missing” 10 K parts ("Hum-m-m, I guess the orange band really does look red!") Ramsey Electronics project kits are packed with pride in the USA by our own staff personnel.
Page 32 Helping Hands Holder for PC Board/Parts  MAGNIFYING device  De-soldering Braid Manual Price Only: $5.00 Ramsey Publication No. MWCT3 Assembly and Instruction manual for: RAMSEY MODEL NO. WCT3 Wireless Control Tester TOTAL SOLDER POINTS TOTAL COMPONENTS ESTIMATED ASSEMBLY RAMSEY TIME ELECTRONICS, LLC Beginner ....