Remote Control Repair V1.01

Contents:


1) Introduction:

Here is the current version of my 'Remote Control Repair Notes'

Author: Samuel M. Goldwasser
E-Mail: sam@stdavids.picker.com
Corrections/suggestions: [Feedback Form] [mailto]
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995
All Rights Reserved

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2) Problems with remotes

Dead batteries
Solution obvious.

Corroded battery contacts
Wipe off chemical deposits. clean with pencil erase and/or sandpaper or nailfile.


The next few require disassembly - there may be a screw or two or the case may simply 'crack' in half by gently prying with a knife or screwdriver. Look for hidder snap interlocks.

Broken contacts
Often betweeen battery connections and circuit board - resolder.

Broken Crystal/Resonator
These die from shock when remote is dropped - replace.
Dirt/spills/gunk preventing keys from operating reliably
Dissassemble and wash rubber membrane and circuit board with alcohol or soap and water - dry thouroghly.

Cracked circuit board
Can be repaired as these are usually single sided with big traces. Scrape off insulating coating and jumper breaks with fine wire and solder.

Bad LED
Replace with readily available high power IR LED.

Bad IC
If it uses a custom chip, throw it away! This is usually quite unlikely. The following is from Duane P Mantick:

" An awful lot of IR remotes use IC's from the same or similar series. A common series comes from NEC and is the uPD1986C which, incidentally is called out in the NTE replacements book as an NTE1758. A lot of these chips are cheap and not too difficult to find, and are made in easy-to-work-with 14 or 16 pin DIP packages. Unless you have no soldering or desoldering skills, replacement isn't difficult. "


There are a large variety of universal remotes available from $10-$100. For general TV/VCR/cable use, the $10 variety are fine. However, they will not provide special functions like programming of a TV or VCR. Don't even think about going to the original manufacturer - they will charge an arm and a leg (or more). However, places like MCM Electronics do stock a variety of original remotes - prices range from $9 - $143 (Wow $143, for just a stupid remote! It doesn't even have high definition sound or anything exotic). The average price is around $40.

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