Simulate Remote Button Press

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm working on a project with the ESP32 where I want to simulate the push of a button on a remote control. Instead of recreating the same IR signal, I want to simulate the push by connecting directly to the remote.

I don't have any space constraints and, for various reasons including the components I already have, I wanted to do this simply by using a relay. I connected two wires directly to the physical button on the remote (I know this is an overkill solution for this specific case).

The curious part is that the system does not work. I can activate the relay and the button, but the gate, which should open with the remote, does not open. I have also changed the time before activating and deactivating the relay, but the result remains the same. Even connecting the two wires manually (as shown in this video), the result does not change. The LED on the remote lights up, but the signal does not trigger, and the gate does not open.

Does anyone have any suggestions on why this might be happening and how it can be resolved?

Thank you very much!

2

The button on the remote will have two contacts. What are they connected to on the remote ?

3

Rather than resistance change (0 ohms vs infinity), the remote may work on capacitance change between two elements. I'd be looking for a part number to research the device, if there's an identifiable part on the remote's board, not just an epoxy blob.

4

But pressing the button it still works and opens the gate?

5

Unfortunately, I don't have the remote with me at the moment, so I can't take a picture of the other side. I will be able to do this in a couple of days. However, I can confirm that the button still works when pressed, and it does open the gate.

In the case of a button that works on capacitance, what should I do? Hopefully, things will be clearer when I can provide a picture of the other side of the remote.

Thank you again for your help!