Home Automation FAQ: Can I convert an old PL-Link into an MCIR-Link?

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Home Automation FAQ :

HA Equipment :

Creative Control Concepts/HCS-II :

PL-Link & HCS-PLIX X-10 Gateways :
Can I convert an old PL-Link into an MCIR-Link?

Yes you can. The MCIR-Link and PL-Link were both based on a generic COMM-Link design used for many early HCS-II interfaces. By adding some parts and changing the firmware you can convert your old PL-Link to an MCIR-Link. Many users who have upgraded to the HCS-PLIX want to do this.

You should not have to remove any parts from the PL-Link. Q4 is used to drive the TW-523 and can be removed along with R16 and R17, but leaving them should not cause any harm.

You will need the following parts for the new MCIR-Link:

Qty Location Part

1 R9 1/4W 330 Ohm Resistor

1 R10 1/4W 240 Ohm Resistor

1 R11 1/4W 7.5K Resistor

1 R12 1/4W 1K Resistor

1 R13 1/4W 150 Ohm Resistor

1 R14 1/4W 22 Ohm Resistor

1 P1 5K 9mm Potentiometer

1 C10 0.1uF Monolithic Capacitor

1 C11 390pF Polystyrene Capacitor
Mouser has them

1 U2 MCIR-Link Firmware ROM (27256)

1 U3 62256 Static RAM IC

1 U3 DS1213 SmartSocket

1 U5 4047 CMOS IC

1 U5 16 Pin IC Socket

1 JP6 Right angle 1x2 header

1 JP6 Shorting Jumper

1 Q2 LM317 TO-92 Voltage Regulator

1 Q3 2N2907 TO-92 Transistor

1 Q5 Sharp IS1U60 IR Receiver Module

1 LED2 Visible Green or Red LED

2 LED3/4 QED234 IR LED

Simply install these parts in the appropriate locations. You'll need to install JP6 before you install Q5. Note J3 is NOT needed unless you want to mount your IR LEDs and receiver in a remote location.

Download the manual and follow the steps for installing the above parts. You'll need the latest firmware which you can download from Circuit Cellar's FTP site (if you can burn your own EPROMs).

WARNING! Do not power up the board without the firmware chip installed! This will cause the IR LEDs to stay on and this can damage them. They are overdriven since they are driven with brief pulses. Always ensure your firmware chip is installed before powering up your MCIR-Link.

Once your board is complete, follow the calibration directions in the MCIR-Link manual.

Enjoy your new MCIR-Link! If you cannot obtain the above parts, Creative Control Concepts can provide you with a kit of parts. Contact us at sales@cc-concepts.com.

Note that if you have performed a MAX813 reset modification to yourPL-Link, it will function just fine on an MCIR-Link.

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