Remote Control oddity.. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Reese · 11-14-2005, 05:53 PM

This seems like the closest forum to my little problem so here goes..

I have a universal remote for the TV in my room, and I'd been noticing that some nights it'd work fine but other nights it wouldn't, I figured the batteries were bad so I planned to get new ones but until then I tried to figure out what was wrong, I narrowed it down that when the remote is left upside down (buttons down) for any length of time it'd stop working, but when left button side up for 20-30 minutes it'd start working again. This made absolutely no sense to me, The batteries are in the same position it doesn't matter if the remote is upside down or not but I replaced them a day or so later and they worked, so I flipped the remote upside down and left it on the table for the rest of the day and when I came back it had quit.

Now I'm sitting here waiting for it to start working again, I'm about to pull it apart to see if I can find anything that would lead me to believe it actually knows when it's upside down.. I'm all out of ideas here... It's just a cheap remote and doesn't have any kinda brand name/model number and google hasn't been any help... I'm really wanting to know why it quits!

ok I found out it's an RCA Systemlink 3, RC-300D.. apparantly the big logos on mine have rubbed off

I got a little more info about the remote.. but I'm still stumped..

Pragma · 11-14-2005, 06:31 PM

I think the problem would most likely be that there are leads/wires inside of the remote that have a very tenuous connection and if the remote is left in a certain position, the contact is broken - but leaving it in the opposite position lets gravity pull them back together again.

I agree it's kind of a weird problem, and my guess is just that - a wild guess - but it does sort of make sense, to me at least

flat5 · 11-15-2005, 09:33 AM

as above.
most likely the xtal or what passes for one or a big cap.
maybe the led. check the heaviest component.

Reese · 11-15-2005, 11:43 AM

That's a good idea.. I opened it up and checked the all the contacts and nothing was obviously loose but I'm willing to bet that's the problem. Thanks

flat5 · 11-17-2005, 09:44 AM

It may not be obvious. It often takes some experience to see the problem.
Tapping the printed circuit board lightly with something plastic or rubber while operating the remote may help you locate the culprit.

flat5 · 11-17-2005, 09:53 AM

It may not be obvious. It often takes some experience to see the problem.
Tapping the printed circuit board lightly with something plastic or rubber while operating the remote may help you locate the culprit.

To fix the problem you'll need a low power soldering iron, about 15 watts and good soldering skills. You can Google on "soldering technique".

jujueye · 11-20-2005, 11:39 PM

Is it activating any buttons while upside down? (I know that happens to me, anyway...)

Martian · 12-13-2005, 05:02 PM

The easiest workaround to this problem would be to make sure that when you put the remote down, you put it down face-up.

Having said that, the only thing that makes sense is a loose connection. You can use above trouble-shooting to locate it and re-solder to fix it, but be careful. Those tiny little PCB's don't give you a lot of room to work with and sensitive elctronics + high heat = paperweights.

11-14-2005, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	Remote Control oddity.. This seems like the closest forum to my little problem so here goes.. I have a universal remote for the TV in my room, and I'd been noticing that some nights it'd work fine but other nights it wouldn't, I figured the batteries were bad so I planned to get new ones but until then I tried to figure out what was wrong, I narrowed it down that when the remote is left upside down (buttons down) for any length of time it'd stop working, but when left button side up for 20-30 minutes it'd start working again. This made absolutely no sense to me, The batteries are in the same position it doesn't matter if the remote is upside down or not but I replaced them a day or so later and they worked, so I flipped the remote upside down and left it on the table for the rest of the day and when I came back it had quit. Now I'm sitting here waiting for it to start working again, I'm about to pull it apart to see if I can find anything that would lead me to believe it actually knows when it's upside down.. I'm all out of ideas here... It's just a cheap remote and doesn't have any kinda brand name/model number and google hasn't been any help... I'm really wanting to know why it quits! ok I found out it's an RCA Systemlink 3, RC-300D.. apparantly the big logos on mine have rubbed off I got a little more info about the remote.. but I'm still stumped.. __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry Last edited by Reese; 11-14-2005 at 06:04 PM..

11-14-2005, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	I think the problem would most likely be that there are leads/wires inside of the remote that have a very tenuous connection and if the remote is left in a certain position, the contact is broken - but leaving it in the opposite position lets gravity pull them back together again. I agree it's kind of a weird problem, and my guess is just that - a wild guess - but it does sort of make sense, to me at least __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

11-15-2005, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	as above. most likely the xtal or what passes for one or a big cap. maybe the led. check the heaviest component. Last edited by flat5; 11-15-2005 at 09:36 AM..

11-15-2005, 11:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	That's a good idea.. I opened it up and checked the all the contacts and nothing was obviously loose but I'm willing to bet that's the problem. Thanks __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

12-13-2005, 05:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	The easiest workaround to this problem would be to make sure that when you put the remote down, you put it down face-up. Having said that, the only thing that makes sense is a loose connection. You can use above trouble-shooting to locate it and re-solder to fix it, but be careful. Those tiny little PCB's don't give you a lot of room to work with and sensitive elctronics + high heat = paperweights. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

11-17-2005, 09:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	It may not be obvious. It often takes some experience to see the problem. Tapping the printed circuit board lightly with something plastic or rubber while operating the remote may help you locate the culprit.

11-17-2005, 09:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	It may not be obvious. It often takes some experience to see the problem. Tapping the printed circuit board lightly with something plastic or rubber while operating the remote may help you locate the culprit. To fix the problem you'll need a low power soldering iron, about 15 watts and good soldering skills. You can Google on "soldering technique".

11-20-2005, 11:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
jujueye alpaca lunch for the trip Location: in my computer	Is it activating any buttons while upside down? (I know that happens to me, anyway...)