DIY Infrared Controlled Power Switch

I had been looking for an IR controlled power solution for the Schiit Aegis in my living room set up. I'm using a Safabaton X1 universal remote system (closest thing I found in production to the Harmony Elite system) wanted a single remote solution to power on/off the Aegis. It needed to be IR controlled so I could program the IR command to the Sofabaton universal remote. There are plenty RF controlled power options available, but all of these would require a separate remote to power on and off the amps. After a long search, I could not find any complete products that would do what I needed, so decided to DIY a solution. I've got it up an working now and thought I would post this in case anyone else is looking for something similar.

I used the following parts, all in about $50:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WV7GMA2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QH6XP9P?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GD4ZQRS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

The surge protector has 2 "normally off" outlets that are turned on by a 12V trigger. The IR controlled relay is used to control the 12V trigger via included IR remote, which can be programmed to any universal remote. The 12V power supply can plug into the "always on" outlet and powers the relay.

Unfortunately, the relay did not come with any documentation and did not work as expected out of the box. I thought I would just be able to wire the red and black input leads to the power supply and the blue and white output leads to the 12V trigger and then the remote would control whether or not the 12V passed through to the blue and white leads, but this didn't work. Turns out the relay just opens and closes the connection between the blue and white leads. Simple fix but required some splicing and soldering. I soldered a jumper connecting the white relay lead with the red power supply input, connected the blue lead to the trigger's + terminal, and connected a jumper from the trigger's - terminal back to ground at the power supply. When the relay was activated, blue and white lead contact are closed triggering the 12V trigger. The relay's PCB has pads for the power supply next to the relay leads which allowed for tidy wiring. After testing to confirm this worked, I soldered up and heat shrieked everything and tacked the relay on the side of the surge protector and everything is working perfectly.

https://imgur.com/a/QYHUl2e

 

I like it! There really aren’t any good, affordable, IR controlled power options for HiFi gear that doesn’t have a trigger system. I’ve got a box of parts and more ambition than time to try and rig something up like you made, so might have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!

P.S. - I read your intro in the “new member” thread. I liked your comment about enjoying the low signal to noise of SBAF, but didn’t want to contribute to the noise by saying so.