Anyone ever have the backlight burn out on them on a Radio Shack 15-2104?

I've replaced the batteries (twice!) and even restored all settings on the remote and then uploaded my codes again via JP1 ... still no backlight!

Can that little thing burnout? After only a year (of admittedly heavy use?)

MIght as well closeout my own thread.

Search at JP1 group did turn up that this is a commone failure probably related to a transformer damaged if the remote is dropped.

Robman is looking into ordering this part from overseas for those who need it.

And some people open up their perfectly healthy remotes and use a gluegun to cover the transformer a bit better so that it will better withstand a drop.

The BL on my 1995 got flaky recently and finally wouldn't light anymore. I opened 'er up and found that there was a little film on the metal contacts of the EL sheet. I rubbed them a little with a pencil eraser and made sure they were nice and shiny. I found all the screws and got the remote back together. I also tried to make the screws that go through the contacts of the EL sheet extra tight. The BL seems to work normally again.

My wife has confessed to giving the 15-2104 a big 'old drop a week ago so I may not be so lucky. I'm going to wait until my newly ordered 15-2117 gets here then open 'er up and see what's what.

If you like the 15-2104, why not just buy a new one, they're practically giving them away at Radio Shack right now as they have been discontinued. Last time I checked, the price was about $18.

Rob

Hehe, when the BL was acting funky on mine, my wife approached me to find out if I had dropped it. It's funny how she rejected it at first but now she's so attached to it.