Virgin Tivo box Remote Control

[Radio Fixer]

Not a bad cable TV box and does all we want.  It is not the latest and so if you get a failure or a bad control I dont think you get a new one.  You get one from somebody else who has upgraded (at extra cost of course).

Anyway we got a replacement and it still has bad keys.  So taken the original apart for a clean to see if that can be improved.

Minimal number of components to drive this infra red device.

My question is should there be some kind of gel between the keypads and the insulated tracks on the circuit board?  If so it was not spread on all keys but just on some. Anyway, cleaned the cct board with IPA and put the rubber membrane and case through the Ultrasonic Cleaner. See how it goes.

thanks Gary

[ppppenguin]

No gel AFAIK. If it doesn't work, you'll need to put tiny amounts of aquadag on the rubbery bit of the key that contacts the PCB. Too much and you'll have problems with it transferring to the PCB and causing phantom button presses. Guess how I know this

[Radio Fixer]

Well it doesnt work at all now  

Take it apart later and try again.

Gary

[ppppenguin]

It may not be working because all that cleaning stripped everything conductive from the rubber. When I fixed my burglar alarm control panel I simply cleaned the PCB with an eraser ; the buttons with a cloth and IPA. I still needed dag. Used far too much the first time and had great problems with the alarm seeming to be inhabited by demons.

[Radio Fixer]

Think the gel was possibly from a leaked battery but very clear and no corrosion: strange.
Pads measure across between 3K and 10K.  Not working at all prob due to not getting the battery connections in the right place.  Its this wonderfully clever, very accurate snap together case.  Been levered open a few times now and has my blood on it.  Think its for the bin  

thanks Gary

[ppppenguin]

In the battle of man vs remote.......

Remote, 1 : Man, 0

I'm sure you know this already, but many mobile phone cameras can "see" the infrared from remotes. Quick way to confirm that something is happening.

[Refugee]

If you buy the right component tester it can "eat" the IR signal and display the taste of it on the screen

[Crackle]

Virgin media have always sent out a replacement when I have asked. We have 2 now to save passing the remote between us.
Mike

[Radio Fixer]

It has a small LED as well as the IR devices so you get a flash from that if the key is working.

Like the tester a lot but have normally no need for one.

Yes! thats how I got the one we are using Mike but are they new? Or what we might call refurb, that is a clean from someone who has upgraded? Anyway I will try for another: took months to get the one we are using, "Owing to Covid we are short staffed etc

thanks Gary

[Radio Fixer]

Well just ordered another one and they do use the word "new" although it isnt in caps. Cost me a tenner this time as they not long ago supplied another replacement... Bit of a cheek really as some keys on it dont work or not well. But cant be bothered to take it further.

Gary