That Old Remote Control Could Be a Small Treasure: How to Reuse It

An old remote control often ends up in a drawer after a television is replaced, a button breaks or the device stops responding. But even when it no longer performs its original job, it may still hold a collection of useful parts.

Inside are a circuit board, buttons, contacts and an infrared emitter. The infrared LED at the front sends signals to a television or other compatible device, and people with basic electronics knowledge can remove it for experimental circuits. Combined with development boards and other components, it can help create systems that send commands from a distance.

The internal board can also provide practice material. It allows students or workshop participants to identify connections, contacts and electronic components without working on new equipment. The rubber buttons can become replacements for similar remotes, or small flexible keys in craft and electronics projects.

The casing has uses too. If it remains intact, it can serve as a compact housing for a board, wires or switches. A damaged remote may still contain valuable components, while two similar units can sometimes be combined by exchanging a casing or missing buttons. Schools, community workshops and repair spaces may also be able to use complete devices as donors. Batteries should be removed before any handling begins.