
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Model 286M
Dual Blink IR™
Mouse Emitter
(Not Included)
7-Foot 3Conductor
Cable with
Quick Connect
Mini Plug
291-80 IR Receiver
To 120 V AC
(Unswitched)
781RG
Power Supply
(Not Included)
Hand Held
Remote
VCR
3-Conductor
Cable to IR
Receivers in
Other Rooms.
(Optional - See
Fig. 3
)
Equipment
Mounted
Behind
Closed
Doors
OUT
VGS
IR
RCVR
PWR
CB12 Connecting Block
(Included)
Satellite Receiver
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!
The 291-80 is equipped with a 7-foot cable and 3.5
mm stereo mini plug, which is plugged directly into
the "IR RCVR" jack on the CB12 (included). It can
also be plugged into the "AUX" or "IR RCVR" jack
on other Xantech connecting blocks, such as models 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 controlled equipment is behind closed doors. However, the cable length can be easily increased to
accommodate any desired application. See Fig. 4.
IR Receivers & Modems
INSTALLATION
A typical system is shown in Fig. 1. Refer to this
Fig. 1 The 291-80 in a Typical IR Repeater
diagram when making connections:
In this system a 286M Dual Blink-IR Emitter is shown connected to the
"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
48 kHz
Full CCW
56 kHz
42 kHz
38 kHz
Full CW
32 kHz
Xantech 789-44, CB-60 or 791-44 Connecting Block in place of the
CB12.
Adjusting the IR Carrier Frequency
Do not use the CB12 in this case.
291-80
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
Fig. 2 IR Carrier Frequency Adjustment
manufacturer's components that you wish to control may use different
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. Using a small blade type screwdriver (3/32" blade width max.), rotate the adjustment shaft until the slot
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.
1

4. If you have products in the same IR system that have different IR carrier frequencies, you will have
to adjust the 291-80 to a midway position. For example, some products may operate at 38 kHz and
others at 56 kHz. In this case, set the adjustment to approximately 47 kHz, a midway position just to
the right of the 48 kHz marking in Fig. 2.
NOTE: Some products are more tolerant of compromised frequency settings than others. You may
have to "fine tune" the adjustment to "favor" the least tolerant component for the best performance of
all units in the system.
Connecting IR Receivers From Other Rooms
The CB12 Connecting Block, supplied with the 291-80, has a three terminal input strip for connection of
external infrared receivers should you wish to control your equipment from other rooms.
• The terminals are marked V G S. (V= +12V, G=Ground and S=IR Signal).
• Make connections as shown in Fig. 3. Run a 3-conductor cable from each remote room to the VGS
terminals on the CB12.
(Use 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).
• When you use a 291-10 or a 291-80 IR Receiver in a remote room,
do not
plug in a power supply or use
the "OUT" jack on that particular CB12, as shown in
ROOM 3 of Fig. 3.
• You may use more IR receivers, in additional rooms,
connected in the same manner. When connecting more
than ten 291-80's, use the
higher current power supply, Model 782-00.
291-80 Cable Connections
The 291-80 may also be used
where the 7-foot cable is not
long enough. Simply cut off
the mini plug, strip the leads
and splice them to a 3-conductor extension cable using
Hand Held
Remote
Satellite Receiver
VCR
Model 286M
Dual Blink IR™
Mouse Emitter
(Not Included)
Fig. 3 Connecting IR Receivers From Other Rooms
291-80
IR Receiver
781RG
Power Supply
To 120 V AC
(Unswitched)
ROOM 1
PWR
OUT
CB12
7-Foot 3Conductor
Cable with
Quick Connect
Mini Plug
IR
RCVR
Connecting Block
VGS
ROOM 2
780-10
J-Box
IR Receiver
XANTECH CORPORATION
SYLMAR, CA 91342
+12V
+12V
OUT
OUTPUT
GND
GND
Equipment
Mounted Behind
Closed Doors
780-10
J-BOX RECEIVER
ROOM 3
291-10
IR Receiver
(See Text)
X X
OUT
PWR
CB12
Connecting
Block
RCVR
IR
VGS
3-Conductor
Room-to-Room
Cable
(unshielded OK)
a terminal block or other
means. Then connect the extension cable to the 3-terminal block on the CB12.
Refer to Fig. 4 and the table below to identify the leads for correct connections.
291-80
RED
+12V
GND
BLACK
SIG
WHITE
7 Foot 3-Conductor Cable
with Mini Plug Removed
3-Conductor
Extension
Cable
3-Terminal Block
(not included)
Fig. 4 Direct Wire Connections
2
VGS
CB12
RCVR
IR
OUT
PWR
Table Lead Identifications
PLUG
RING
SLEEVE
Stereo Mini Plug
CABLE LEADS CIRCUIT ITEM
BLACK
TIP
WHITE
RED
Sleeve
Ring
GROUND
SIGNAL
+ 12 V
Tip
Insulators
291-80