Remote control care

[sidvee]

Guys - in Hyderabad we are experiencing 40-41 degrees c daytime temps. already. Though I use ac while listening in my main system room which is on average 2 hours a day, the rest 22 hours there is no use of that room. So the remotes (I have many - 2-3 for music and 4-5 for HT) are just sitting there with interior temps hitting 34-35 degrees. I already had batteries in my remotes leak in the past summers - even the so called leak-proof ones, Duracell etc. So now I take out all the batteries and insert them only when using the remote. This is fine for remotes that have a sliding battery compartment, but I have some fancy remotes which use a screwed in battery cover and these are a big pain to insert batteries each time. Any suggestions on how to avoid this removal and reinsertion of batteries every time? Or is there a way to leave the battery inside without leakage, or is there a recommended brand that is really leak proof?
Cheers,
Sid

 

[rikhav]

Hi Sid
Maybe you can keep the remotes in some other room where there is no direct sunlight and good cross ventilation
If I am not wrong your listening room has no windows so no way for heat to escape
How much ever one does the walls do heat up and increases the temperature of room

 

[Vivek Rao]

Sid, Are your remotes in some kind of a plastic cover which seals them completely ? I too have had battery leaks and am currently experimenting in allowing them to "breath" a bit with holes in my protective cover

 

[sidvee]

Hi Sid
Maybe you can keep the remotes in some other room where there is no direct sunlight and good cross ventilation
If I am not wrong your listening room has no windows so no way for heat to escape
How much ever one does the walls do heat up and increases the temperature of room

No Rikhav, my listening room has windows, but I keep them closed to prevent dust - which is a bigger problem for electronics. Perhaps as you suggested I will consider storing them in my bedroom, which has ac at-least 12-14 hours in a day so on average it is a lot cooler.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Sid, Are your remotes in some kind of a plastic cover which seals them completely ? I too have had battery leaks and am currently experimenting in allowing them to "breath" a bit with holes in my protective cover

I used to do that Vivek, but now I removed all the covers, because I suspected the same. Still I have observed leaks.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[prem]

Keep them in a vacuum flask or any insulated box designed to keep food

 

[sidvee]

Keep them in a vacuum flask or any insulated box designed to keep food

Ok thanks Prem. Will a thermocol box work?
Cheers,
Sid

 

[prem]

I suppose so Sidvee. Any box that is insulated will not allow heat to get in. However I think a vacuum box will be a better idea and longer lasting. I don't know if thermocole box will last long

You get these insulated lunch boxes. They will work

 

[rikhav]

Hi Sid
What Prem has suggested is very good option
Still to be on safer side till peak summer is there better to store in room where ac is on for good part of the day

 

[Nikhil]

Sid,

This is a tangent but I am also looking at some "Heat Reflective Paints" for our building.
These treatments are supposed to provide about 20 degrees of protection from exterior heat.

Might be something to take a look at ...

Regards.

 

[venkatcr]

This might sound funny, but one of the best places for RC to avoid heat is in a small plastic box kept inside the fridge. The plastic box will protect the RCs, and fridge will keep them cool.

We also have high temperatures here in Chennai, but I have never faced this issue. Strange.

Cheers

 

[venkatcr]

I had an issue with my batteries in wall clocks that use to go bad quite often. I was told by a clock mechanic to stop using Duracell and just use simple batteries from Panasonic or Eveready. That is what I do now. And, these batteries are half the price!!

Cheers

 

[harry123456]

Why not keep the remotes in a plastic box which is kept in the refrigerator?

The remotes should be covered with a tight shrink wrap kinda thin polythene sheets which are available to avoid any moisture ingress,

 

[sidvee]

Sid,

This is a tangent but I am also looking at some "Heat Reflective Paints" for our building.
These treatments are supposed to provide about 20 degrees of protection from exterior heat.

Might be something to take a look at ...

Regards.

Nikhil, these are exaggerated claims. I have been using a white heat refelective paint on my terrace for the past 3 years. At most I have seen about 2-3 degrees difference from unpainted concrete. I have had it applied this year as well.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

I don't have any issues when the remotes without the batteries are in my listening room, only when the batteries are in the remote, and the remote has not been used for 4-5 days then I have an issue. I leave the batteries lying outside in the room without any problem.
Well ,I will try some other batteries, lets see how it goes.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Amitkg]

I had an issue with my batteries in wall clocks that use to go bad quite often. I was told by a clock mechanic to stop using Duracell and just use simple batteries from Panasonic or Eveready. That is what I do now. And, these batteries are half the price!!

Cheers

Even I have stopped using Duracell. Whether or not they last 7times longer, it's a matter of debate but it would most likely leak in scorching summer. In different note, life expectancy of these AA/AAA batteries has drastically gone down. We have been using a simple Ajanta quartz wall clock for 18 years. Even 8/10 years ago, one ordinary Nippo/Novino/Eveready AA battery would last 12/13 months but nowadays batteries hardly lasts 8 months. Presumably, serious cost cutting is affecting the life-expectancy of these batteries.

 

[Soundstage]

I've been using Energiser batteries without any problems for many years now. I do remove the batteries from the remotes whenever I'm travelling. Never used Duracell, so can't comment on them.

Cheers!

 

[viper08]

I have replaced all batteries to rechargeable sine last 2 years.except wall clocks. Initial cost is high but works well and pays later. Plus helps environment.

Never had heat/leaking issues even kept unused up to 2 months too. (Some gadgets being used rarely). But all are well branded

 

[reubensm]

I had the same trouble some time ago and all I did was switch to alkaline batteries. A bit of a drain on the wallet when it comes to the initial investment but they last longer and have never leaked. I also maintain a small chart for all batteries in use at home, for remotes, clocks, etc. We open the battery compartment and take a look, once every 3 months, just to make sure that the batteries are not showing signs of leaking. Keeping remotes in a plastic or thermocol box reminds me somehow of Michael Jackson and the hyperbaric oxygen chamber story

 

[IndianEars]

sidvee, I have never had a Good Leakproof battery (like Duracell) leak unless it is almost fully discharged.

I live in Mumbai and our summer temperatures are also high, and the humidity oppressive, still I have never faced a problem.

I would suggest that you ensure:

1. You buy fresh stocks of Duracell. Do NOT buy those on sale, which typically are 1 year or more old (manufacture date and Use Before dates are stamped on the cardboard package)

2. Please always place your remotes with the Buttons UP, and no other object on the remote. This is ensure that the remote is not operational when lying around. This discharges the battery and then causes a leak.

If the above fail to resolve the problem, I would simply change the battery (using Rs 10 each Indian Leakproof batteries) once a month.

Personally I would refrain from repeatedly opening the plastic a hatch for the battery compartment too often, since if the retaining plastic pip breaks, the remote will be ruined.

Just my 2 cents. I understand and appreciate that YMMV.

Cheers !