I Fixed My Remote

[toobfreak]

Back in 2016, I bought a universal remote. I wanted a programmable one to replace a few other remotes, one in particular which I need to operate one of my DVRs. As with everything else, the choices out there were poor in selection and quality, so I finally settled on the Interset 4:1 remote as the best choice. It is a little small making all the buttons small, and the underside is rounded like a log for good hand feel, but it can easily roll off your lap as a result.

The thing was reasonable (like $29.00), programmable with a broad database of codes, the buttons lit up, and generally did its job and worked well once all set up. My caveat was about 6 months after getting it I started to have trouble with some of the buttons working. I had to press harder and longer until a few just stopped working altogether after a couple years. Fortunately, there were workarounds using other buttons to get where I needed in menus.

The past several years, I could barely get the thing to work and I was resolved to throw it away and replace it. I considered super deluxe remotes up to $180.00 with very advanced features far more deluxe than I needed. I found 1-2 remotes that looked like alternatives but the best one was cheesy at best and did not even light up. Having to turn a light up everytime you need to press a button is a deal breaker.

So just now, I finally resolved to take it apart and fix it. It now works like new again.

1. Removing the batteries, I used a sharp pocket knife to carefully crack the two halves of the case apart.
2. I separated the layers with the
   • Top cover
   • Inner rubber button layer
   • Plastic isolator sheet
   • And circuit board laid out.
3. I washed the top cover.
4. I used Q-tips to wipe dead skin and dirt away collected along the case seam and elsewhere.
5. I wiped down the isolator sheet with a tissue and some cleaner. This layer keeps the rubber button pad apart from the circuit board.
6. I then sprayed a little WD-40 in a glass, a whetted Q-tips with the WD-40 then one by one, first wiped the carbon contact on each button, then dried it with the clean side, replacing the Q-tips often.
7. I did the same thing where the buttons contacted the board. This is where I could feel an accumulation of dirt on the board from the buttons.
8. I put it all back together being careful to note the proper order and sides, then put fresh batteries in.

I just tested it. It works like new. No need to buy another remote, especially one costing $80.00 or $180.00.

 

[1srelluc]

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[scruffy]

Back in 2016, I bought a universal remote. I wanted a programmable one to replace a few other remotes, one in particular which I need to operate one of my DVRs. As with everything else, the choices out there were poor in selection and quality, so I finally settled on the Interset 4:1 remote as the best choice. It is a little small making all the buttons small, and the underside is rounded like a log for good hand feel, but it can easily roll off your lap as a result.

The thing was reasonable (like $29.00), programmable with a broad database of codes, the buttons lit up, and generally did its job and worked well once all set up. My caveat was about 6 months after getting it I started to have trouble with some of the buttons working. I had to press harder and longer until a few just stopped working altogether after a couple years. Fortunately, there were workarounds using other buttons to get where I needed in menus.


View attachment 1200244
The past several years, I could barely get the thing to work and I was resolved to throw it away and replace it. I considered super deluxe remotes up to $180.00 with very advanced features far more deluxe than I needed. I found 1-2 remotes that looked like alternatives but the best one was cheesy at best and did not even light up. Having to turn a light up everytime you need to press a button is a deal breaker.

So just now, I finally resolved to take it apart and fix it. It now works like new again.

1. Removing the batteries, I used a sharp pocket knife to carefully crack the two halves of the case apart.
2. I separated the layers with the
   • Top cover
   • Inner rubber button layer
   • Plastic isolator sheet
   • And circuit board laid out.
3. I washed the top cover.
4. I used Q-tips to wipe dead skin and dirt away collected along the case seam and elsewhere.
5. I wiped down the isolator sheet with a tissue and some cleaner. This layer keeps the rubber button pad apart from the circuit board.
6. I then sprayed a little WD-40 in a glass, a whetted Q-tips with the WD-40 then one by one, first wiped the carbon contact on each button, then dried it with the clean side, replacing the Q-tips often.
7. I did the same thing where the buttons contacted the board. This is where I could feel an accumulation of dirt on the board from the buttons.
8. I put it all back together being careful to note the proper order and sides, then put fresh batteries in.

I just tested it. It works like new. No need to buy another remote, especially one costing $80.00 or $180.00.

The Chinese are mad at you. You're supposed to throw it away and buy another one.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Back in 2016, I bought a universal remote. I wanted a programmable one to replace a few other remotes, one in particular which I need to operate one of my DVRs. As with everything else, the choices out there were poor in selection and quality, so I finally settled on the Interset 4:1 remote as the best choice. It is a little small making all the buttons small, and the underside is rounded like a log for good hand feel, but it can easily roll off your lap as a result.

The thing was reasonable (like $29.00), programmable with a broad database of codes, the buttons lit up, and generally did its job and worked well once all set up. My caveat was about 6 months after getting it I started to have trouble with some of the buttons working. I had to press harder and longer until a few just stopped working altogether after a couple years. Fortunately, there were workarounds using other buttons to get where I needed in menus.


View attachment 1200244
The past several years, I could barely get the thing to work and I was resolved to throw it away and replace it. I considered super deluxe remotes up to $180.00 with very advanced features far more deluxe than I needed. I found 1-2 remotes that looked like alternatives but the best one was cheesy at best and did not even light up. Having to turn a light up everytime you need to press a button is a deal breaker.

So just now, I finally resolved to take it apart and fix it. It now works like new again.

1. Removing the batteries, I used a sharp pocket knife to carefully crack the two halves of the case apart.
2. I separated the layers with the
   • Top cover
   • Inner rubber button layer
   • Plastic isolator sheet
   • And circuit board laid out.
3. I washed the top cover.
4. I used Q-tips to wipe dead skin and dirt away collected along the case seam and elsewhere.
5. I wiped down the isolator sheet with a tissue and some cleaner. This layer keeps the rubber button pad apart from the circuit board.
6. I then sprayed a little WD-40 in a glass, a whetted Q-tips with the WD-40 then one by one, first wiped the carbon contact on each button, then dried it with the clean side, replacing the Q-tips often.
7. I did the same thing where the buttons contacted the board. This is where I could feel an accumulation of dirt on the board from the buttons.
8. I put it all back together being careful to note the proper order and sides, then put fresh batteries in.

I just tested it. It works like new. No need to buy another remote, especially one costing $80.00 or $180.00.

My God, where did you spend that much? I paid $10 for my universal remote and it does about ten times what that one will do, Someone must have seen you coming and said there is a sucker if they had ever seen one!

 

[1srelluc]

....but it can easily roll off your lap.

In this thread we find out that the OP does not have a lap.....Set on top your belly OP and you will be fine.

 

[scruffy]

The trouble with these is I always lose (read: throw away) the instructions.

They work great till the first time I have to replace the battery. Then all the programming disappears. I put in the new battery, the device still works but now it won't connect to the TV anymore so I have to go find the instructions and get the list of brands and find my magic number so it can address the TV.... Sigh... Nothing is ever easy.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

The trouble with these is I always lose (read: throw away) the instructions.

They work great till the first time I have to replace the battery. Then all the programming disappears. I put in the new battery, the device still works but now it won't connect to the TV anymore so I have to go find the instructions and get the list of brands and find my magic number so it can address the TV.... Sigh... Nothing is ever easy.

Write down the numbers on the paper and save it.

 

[scruffy]

Write down the numbers on the paper and save it.

Hey, give Scruffy a break, he's only a dog.

Save it where? It ends up in a drawer someplace. In a good world we get one of those white Sharpie's and write the number right on the back of the device.

Lesson to self: have a white Sharpie handy when buying remote.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Hey, give Scruffy a break, he's only a dog.

Save it where? It ends up in a drawer someplace. In a good world we get one of those white Sharpie's and write the number right on the back of the device.

Lesson to self: have a white Sharpie handy when buying remote.

I have 4 remotes on my desk. The instructions are all in a drawer in my beside table in the other room. . It is just one of those things that never get thrown away. The universal remote that I have is for my DVD player because my daughter's dog decided to use the one that came with it for a chew toy!

 

[toobfreak]

The trouble with these is I always lose (read: throw away) the instructions.

These instructions are in a little folded booklet and I think you can download the instructions off their home page. And I've never lost any of the programming. Maybe there is an EEPROM on the board or a little battery to keep settings alive.

Other than the buttons fading out and the thing kind of eats batteries, I just wish the bottom was not so round, like a hemisphere, anything but a hard flat surface and you must watch it doesn't roll away on you.

 

[Natural Citizen]

I had a similar issue with my DIC recently when it quit working on one of my cars.

That's the so-called ''Driver Information Center,'' to be clear.

The buttons wouldn't work any more and sometimes even on the chance that one did work, it didn't do what the specific button was supposed to do but rather did what a different button was supposed to do.

I took the thing apart and this is what it looked like inside...

The copper data terminals were severely corroded on both sides.

Anyway, the car is 36 years old and generally speaking even a little piece of trim for it is like a hundred bucks at least, and that's if you can even find the stuff. The downside of supply and demand, I guess.

Once I got it all apart I gently scraped that thick, caked on layer of corrosion off of the data terminals on both sides of it with a 1mm flat head screwdriver and then cleaned it up with white vinegar and Q-tips, similarly to what you did, toobs.

Then hit it with some 90% isopropyl alcohol and applied some dialectric grease to both sides of the terminals after I got it all dried.


It cleaned up very well...

Reinstalled and everything works right again.

Was pretty simple. really, and only took about an hour.

With those data terminals being copper, they are more prone to corrosion as a result of moisture over time.

To simply replace that part with the same 36 year old used part, because nobody makes new aftermarket ones, would have cost me close to two hundred bucks and it likely would have had the same issue sooner than later, if not already.

 

[toobfreak]

I had a similar issue with my DIC recently when it quit working on one of my cars.
I took the thing apart and this is what it looked like inside...

Wow, the thing was filthy! At first I thought it had strips of that conductive foam like often used in calculators or meters to connect to LCD displays, but that was all just dirt and gunk!

Then hit it with some 90% isopropyl alcohol and applied some dialectric grease to both sides of the terminals after I got it all dried.

Seriously, those should have been gold contacts not copper. I have not ever tried using dielectric grease as if it gets in the wrong place, it could interfere with button operation, instead, I would have painted the copper contacts with something both conductive and able to seal the copper against further re-corrosion.

Some of the items I've looked into trying (but have not tried yet) to repair worn contacts and improve electrical conductivity in electronic contacts include:

Amazon.com : Idolon Tech Keypad Fix Clean and Restore Conductivity to The Carbon on The Keys and The Copper PC Board Pads : Electronics

Amazon.com : Idolon Tech Keypad Fix Clean and Restore Conductivity to The Carbon on The Keys and The Copper PC Board Pads : Electronics

www.amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Q7H36/?tag=usmb-20

Amazon.com: Conductive Paint, Graphite Conductive Paint for Electroforming and Electroplating, Copper Conductive Paint for DIY Projects, GraphitePaint – Suitable for 3D Prints, Resin Models & More – 2oz 60ml : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Buy Conductive Paint, Graphite Conductive Paint for Electroforming and Electroplating, Copper Conductive Paint for DIY Projects, GraphitePaint – Suitable for 3D Prints, Resin Models & More – 2oz 60ml: Paints - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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Though the first one looks most attractive.

I've also tried using some moly grease, but with mixed results.