Original Remote Replacement

[phred]

The original remote for my Touch seems to be dying. Some of the buttons are not working. Since it appears that it's no longer made, and I can't find a replacement on eBay, I'm thinking about getting a universal remote as a replacement. Does anyone have experience with these? How would I program it to mimic the original remote's buttons? NOTE: I do not want a Harmony as a replacement.

Thanks for any input or suggestions.

[agbagb]

Don't forget that all SB-kit remotes work on all devices (with some differences in the available buttons....). And, on Ebay I'm seeing plenty of those mini-remotes - I've bought a couple of these, and they work fine, if in a limited way. The originals used to have a magnet in the case (was that for the Boom?) though these modern repro ones don't. They are between 10 and 15 USD.

[Redrum]

I might have one, or one for the radio, I'd have to check, but they both work on the touch. If you are in the US, I would be happy to send it to you. Note though that these remotes are as old as the players and suffer from the same "sticky" deterioration of the tactile coating.

Ok, I just found one (I might have another). I think it's for the touch, as it's bigger. It looks like it hosted a "battery leak party" at some time, so you would have to clean the corrosion in the compartment and contacts. The face and outside case are fine. Very mildly "sticky"

PM me if you are interested. Free to a good home. I would test if interested. If you are not in the US and still interested, please look into what the post would be. I am in New York (not the city), zip 14120

Jim

[Redrum]

I just re-read your initial post. You feel it's dying because some buttons are not working. It could be fixable if you can get the case apart. There might be some info on the forum as to how to do it.

The way most remote keypads work is there is a pad of silicone buttons/keys that have a conductive carbon on the bottom of each button. The pcb it contacts on press has a mesh of two copper traces. When the button is pressed, it shorts the traces. These can get dirty or oxidized. If you can get it apart, wash the keypad in warm water with mild soap, and use a pencil eraser to clean the copper pads. Before you put it back together, look at the carbon spots on the bottom of the buttons to see if they look ok.

Here's a picture for reference:

[phred]

PM me if you are interested. Free to a good home. I would test if interested. If you are not in the US and still interested, please look into what the post would be. I am in New York (not the city), zip 14120
Jim

Thanks Jim. Since I don't really need the number keys, I'm open to taking the original Touch (larger) remote, or as someone else in this thread said, the smaller one without the number keys if it does indeed work with the Touch. I have a Touch and a Radio and have been moving the one remote back and forth between the rooms.

I just looked at the remote to see about taking it apart and decide that if I do, I will probably wind up looking for -two- remotes. I see where the top and bottom are attached, but I'm afraid that if I try to pry it open the plastic will break. I also noticed some slight corrosion at one battery terminal so I'll be cleaning that today.

I'll PM you shorty. If you wouldn't mind testing whichever remote you'll be sending, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm also willing to pay for the remote and/or shipping. You can let me know in the PM.

Thanks again.

[kidstypike]

Thanks Jim. Since I don't really need the number keys, I'm open to taking the original Touch (larger) remote, or as someone else in this thread said, the smaller one without the number keys if it does indeed work with the Touch. I have a Touch and a Radio and have been moving the one remote back and forth between the rooms.

I just looked at the remote to see about taking it apart and decide that if I do, I will probably wind up looking for -two- remotes. I see where the top and bottom are attached, but I'm afraid that if I try to pry it open the plastic will break. I also noticed some slight corrosion at one battery terminal so I'll be cleaning that today.

I'll PM you shorty. If you wouldn't mind testing whichever remote you'll be sending, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm also willing to pay for the remote and/or shipping. You can let me know in the PM.

Thanks again.

You won't break it.

Just insert a thin blade (mind fingers) and prise at the lug positions (arrowed) on one side.

[phred]

Thanks kidstypike. I think I'll wait until Redrum sends me one before I tackle mine. I appreciate the photo.

[agbagb]

.... or as someone else in this thread said, the smaller one without the number keys if it does indeed work with the Touch.

The mini remote, without the number keys, does indeed control Radios and Touches (which are the only devices I have.....).

[phred]

The mini remote, without the number keys, does indeed control Radios and Touches (which are the only devices I have.....).

Thanks for the confirmation.

[Redrum]

You won't break it.

Just insert a thin blade (mind fingers) and prise at the lug positions (arrowed) on one side.

I found 2 and will send phred the one that works. The other one that survived a battery leak party doesn't work, even after contact clean. I'd like to open it up for further cleaning/inspection. @ktp, I tried your technique and had no luck. When you get the thin blade (screwdriver, metal scale, etc) in between the case halves, do you twist or pry up? I don't want to bugger up the plastic too much. I'm not usually this much of a klutz

Jim

[kidstypike]

I found 2 and will send phred the one that works. The other one that survived a battery leak party doesn't work, even after contact clean. I'd like to open it up for further cleaning/inspection. @ktp, I tried your technique and had no luck. When you get the thin blade (screwdriver, metal scale, etc) in between the case halves, do you twist or pry up? I don't want to bugger up the plastic too much. I'm not usually this much of a klutz

Jim

A good while since I opened a Touch remote (the one in the picture) and I've since sold that Touch and remote, I do have another Touch but no remote for it. (I have 2 SB3 remotes).

I remember starting at the top near the IR LED and working down the RH side (viewed from the front), it wasn't difficult I recall, pry the bottom piece's side in the direction of the arrows it's thick plastic and requires a firm hand!

[Redrum]

it wasn't difficult I recall, pry the bottom piece's side in the direction of the arrows it's thick plastic and requires a firm hand!

Direction of the arrows - so do the two half slide apart as opposed to opening like a clam shell? I think if we had a photo of the back, it would be obvious, but we don't I guess I don't understand the direction of the arrow. If I were to "pry" it would be up and down (as in in and out of the paper/image)

I don't need to fix this, I just have a habit of fixing things that are not right (or frustrating myself), regardless of if it's worth it or not

Jim

[kidstypike]

Direction of the arrows - so do the two half slide apart as opposed to opening like a clam shell? I think if we had a photo of the back, it would be obvious, but we don't I guess I don't understand the direction of the arrow. If I were to "pry" it would be up and down (as in in and out of the paper/image)

I don't need to fix this, I just have a habit of fixing things that are not right (or frustrating myself), regardless of if it's worth it or not

Jim

Prise the RH side of the bottom part of the remote out to the right in the direction of the arrows. The arrows show the positions of 4 lugs, once they are clear the top part of the remote just lifts off.

Lugs just visible in the zoomed up pic below.

[Redrum]

Prise the RH side of the bottom part of the remote out to the right in the direction of the arrows. The arrows show the positions of 4 lugs, once they are clear the top part of the remote just lifts off.

Lugs just visible in the zoomed up pic below.

Got it, thank you. I had to use a thinner pry, used the xacto flat blade in the picture.

I thought I would add a picture showing why (probably) it isn't working and what happens after a battery leak party. I bought a couple touches second hand years ago and just tossed the remotes in a box. Next time I'll take the batteries out first

[kidstypike]

Got it, thank you. I had to use a thinner pry, used the xacto flat blade in the picture.

I thought I would add a picture showing why (probably) it isn't working and what happens after a battery leak party. I bought a couple touches second hand years ago and just tossed the remotes in a box. Next time I'll take the batteries out first

Quite simple when you overcome your initial fear.

Good luck getting it to work again.