Setup guides, frequently asked questions, and troubleshooting help for your TriggerLink.
Quick Start Guide
1
Unbox and inspect
Your TriggerLink box contains: the TriggerLink module, one 3.5mm adhesive IR emitter (bug), one USB-C power cable, and a quick-start card. Verify all items are present before proceeding.
2
Power the TriggerLink
Plug the included USB-C cable into the TriggerLink and connect it to a USB power source (wall adapter, power strip USB port, or your AV rack's USB port). The status LED will illuminate solid to indicate power.
3
Connect the trigger input
Run a 3.5mm mono cable from your processor's 12V trigger output to the TriggerLink's TRIGGER IN jack. This is the signal that tells TriggerLink when to fire.
4
Attach the IR emitter
Peel the adhesive backing from the included IR bug and stick it directly over the IR window on the device you want to control (your amplifier, receiver, etc.). Plug the IR bug's 3.5mm connector into TriggerLink's IR OUT jack.
5
Learn the IR command
Press and hold the LEARN button on TriggerLink for 2 seconds — the status LED will blink rapidly. Point your device's original remote at TriggerLink's IR receiver and press the Power button. The LED will flash three times to confirm the code was learned.
6
Test the system
Turn on your processor (or source device with the 12V trigger). TriggerLink will detect the 12V signal and fire the learned IR command to your target device. Both devices should now power on together.
7
Optional: Connect feedback loop
For full state synchronization, connect a 3.5mm cable from your target device's 12V trigger output (if available) back to TriggerLink's FEEDBACK jack. This tells TriggerLink the current power state of the target device, preventing double-toggle issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
TriggerLink is a hardware module that converts a 12V trigger signal into an IR (infrared) remote control command. It bridges the gap between modern AV processors with 12V trigger outputs and legacy equipment that only responds to IR remotes.
TriggerLink Base is a single-device bridge with three 3.5mm jacks total — one 12V trigger input, one IR output, one feedback sense input. TriggerLink Pro is a full automation controller with eight 3.5mm jacks: 1 trigger source input, 3 12V trigger outputs (staggered per-device power-on), 2 independently programmed IR outputs (control two devices), and 2 feedback sense inputs (one per IR device). Pro also has an 8-LED front panel and a DIP switch for configurable per-device delay (2, 3, or 5 seconds between each device).
No. Neither TriggerLink Base nor Pro requires WiFi, an app, or an internet connection. Both are completely standalone devices. Configuration is done via the physical Learn button and (on Pro) a DIP switch for per-device delay selection.
TriggerLink Pro controls two independent IR-only devices (each with its own learned ON/OFF codes and feedback sense input) plus up to three 12V-triggered amplifiers. Every device is staggered — each waits the full DIP-switch delay (2, 3, or 5 seconds) after the previous — so amplifier inrush is distributed cleanly. On shutdown, the sequence runs in reverse.
The 2-position DIP switch sets the per-device delay — the time between each device in the power sequence. Both OFF = 2 seconds, position 1 ON = 3 seconds (default), position 2 ON = 5 seconds. Example with DIP=2s: T=0 trigger in → T=2s TRIG1 → T=4s TRIG2 → T=6s TRIG3 → T=8s IR1 → T=10s IR2 → T=13s feedback check. When the source trigger drops, the whole sequence runs in reverse. The DIP switch is read at power-up, so change the switch and power-cycle to apply.
The two blue Sense LEDs mirror the real-time power state of your two IR-controlled devices. When a device is on and asserting its 12V sense output back to TriggerLink, the corresponding Sense LED lights up — updated every loop for continuous at-a-glance status.
Yes. TriggerLink uses optically-isolated inputs to completely separate the 12V trigger circuit from the microcontroller. There is no electrical connection between your processor's trigger output and TriggerLink's logic — they communicate via light through PC817C optocouplers.
You need 3.5mm mono (TS) cables to connect between your processor's trigger output and TriggerLink. The IR emitter bug is included in the box. USB-C power cable is included.
Yes, stereo (TRS) cables work fine in the mono jacks. TriggerLink only reads the tip and sleeve conductors.
Press and hold the LEARN button for 2 seconds. The previous code is overwritten when a new code is received. The status LED flashes three times to confirm.
Stick the adhesive IR emitter directly over the IR receiver window on the device you want to control. Most receivers have the IR window on the front panel, often behind a tinted plastic strip.
Check: (1) Is the trigger cable connected to the correct output on your processor? Some have multiple trigger zones. (2) Is TriggerLink powered? The status LED should be solid. (3) Did you teach TriggerLink an IR code? Re-learn the code and try again.
This happens if your processor's trigger output bounces or if TriggerLink fires while the target device is already on. Connect the feedback loop cable to use state synchronization, which prevents double-toggle. On TriggerLink Pro, you can also configure a longer per-device delay via the DIP switch.
Make sure the IR bug is firmly attached directly over the target device's IR window. Try repositioning it. If using a long cable run (over 10 feet), signal strength may be reduced — use the included short cable for testing.
A steady rapid blink means TriggerLink is in Learn mode waiting for an IR signal. Either point a remote at it and press Power, or power-cycle TriggerLink to exit Learn mode.
Most modern AV processors and receivers include 12V trigger outputs: Arcam (AV41, AVR30), Anthem (MRX, AVM), NAD (T 778, M33), Marantz (AV10, SR series), Denon (AVR-X series), Rotel, Parasound, and Integra all offer 12V trigger outputs on most models.
Yes. If a device responds to an infrared remote control, TriggerLink can learn and replay that command. It works with 38kHz IR signals, which covers the vast majority of consumer AV equipment.
Yes. While the Marantz SR7005 has a 12V trigger input but no trigger output, TriggerLink is designed to receive a trigger from another device (like your Arcam) and send an IR command to the Marantz. The Marantz is the target device in this scenario.
Yes. You can connect the trigger output of one TriggerLink to the trigger input of another, creating a chain of automated devices from a single trigger source.
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