Cougar remote battery

dmar · 11-30-2014, 03:34 PM

We bought a very clean 2010 Cougar 276rls 5th wheel a few months ago and have made two trips so far. Everything works as it should, except that we've gone through two batteries in the remote control that operates the slide, landing gear, etc. I made sure the remote was turned off when not being used, but after about a week the new battery was dead. I plan to remove the battery between trips from now on, but I'm wondering if there's a known problem with the remotes that would cause excessive battery drain. Thanks...

**chuckster57** · 11-30-2014, 03:55 PM

Welcome to the forum

Doesn't your remote have a charging port?

dmar · 11-30-2014, 04:19 PM

No charging port that I can see. The battery is a standard camera type (CR2) that isn't rechargeable. With the new battery it worked perfectly but after sitting in the camper for about a week (turned off) it was dead.

buckeyebobhockingcamper · 11-30-2014, 04:37 PM

mines a year and a half old and i use it a lot ,still original battery,

**JRTJH** · 11-30-2014, 04:44 PM

We have one member about 3 months ago that reported the same type of problem with his remote battery. Your issue and his are the only two that I am aware of. If I remember correctly, he resolved his problem by getting a new remote control unit from EBay. Dealership cost for the remote is about $100 on EBay they are about $25.

If I were you, I'd try one more battery, you could have just gotten a bad one. If the next battery also fails, you might want to consider a new remote. If you're in warranty, contact the dealer, if not, EBay is a good alternative.

Good Luck

dmar · 12-01-2014, 06:29 AM

"If I were you, I'd try one more battery, you could have just gotten a bad one. If the next battery also fails, you might want to consider a new remote. If you're in warranty, contact the dealer, if not, EBay is a good alternative."

That's what I'll do. 25 bucks for a new one will be lots cheaper than a string of batteries. Thanks, Don

concours · 12-01-2014, 07:24 AM

ours is now 2 years old and the battery is now low on charge for the 1st time i.e. has very low range, take note that it should turn itself of after just a few minuets which can be a nuisance when setting up if yours doesn't shut down on it's own then you need a remote but 1st I would try a battery also make sure the connection tabs are making good contact

SkiSmuggs · 12-01-2014, 07:27 AM

I believe that is the CR2 3 volt. I think it may come in another voltage as well. I did notice the Duracell was about half the price of the Energizer at Walmart.
Mine seem to be good for a couple of months.

Pmedic4 · 12-01-2014, 11:43 AM

Mine has worked for about a year and 1/2 also without needing a new battery. I also broke my original remote, so I ordered another from online for $27, if I remember correctly. It is fairly easy to program.

When I broke mine, I left it on the bumper of the truck, if fell off and I drove over it, cracking the LCD screen. I looked at fixing it, and it has like a 24 pin connection which would be a pain to try and fix! Still works, you just have to guess which function is selected since you can't see the screen....

dmar · 12-01-2014, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

I believe that is the CR2 3 volt. I think it may come in another voltage as well. I did notice the Duracell was about half the price of the Energizer at Walmart.
Mine seem to be good for a couple of months.

That's the one. Our little Walmart doesn't seem to carry them and we're a long way from another place that might. I don't know what they cost at Walmart but I ordered three Duracells from Batteryjunction.com (about $3.25 each including shipping to my house). I've used them before for dog collar batteries that weren't available locally and they came quickly. Pretty soon I'll find out whether I need a new remote or not.

jje1960 · 12-01-2014, 01:03 PM

We have been using ours on the same battery since picking the unit up in Fall of 2010, probably time to get a spare ready.....

fred1609 · 12-01-2014, 10:18 PM

Same here, our 2011, which we bought in late 2010, has the same battery in the remote. Good reminder to buy an extra one.

SkiSmuggs · 12-02-2014, 04:41 AM

We bought our 2012 in May 2011 and when we needed the remote for the first time this September, the battery was too weak to function. I had to pay $12 at a Radio Shack for a new one. My DW wants to know why I didn't get two.

jje1960 · 12-02-2014, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

We bought our 2012 in May 2011 and when we needed the remote for the first time this September, the battery was too weak to function. I had to pay $12 at a Radio Shack for a new one. My DW wants to know why I didn't get two.

Well, if the first lasts another 4yrs the 2nd may be dead by the time you need it!!!

SkiSmuggs · 12-03-2014, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jje1960

Well, if the first lasts another 4yrs the 2nd may be dead by the time you need it!!!

That is what I told her, and I don't stock up on batteries at Radio Shack prices.

Ayotte · 12-03-2014, 06:33 AM

ours is a 2012 bought in summer of 2011 and remote still working fine.

Quiroule · 12-03-2014, 01:01 PM

Our battery used to last about 1 year, travelling for 2 months a year. Then last summer we had this problem, changing battery every 2 weeks or so.

We bought a new remote and everything is back to normal. If you do buy one, I can send you the programming instructions, which does not come with it.

Good luck

dmar · 12-04-2014, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiroule

We bought a new remote and everything is back to normal. If you do buy one, I can send you the programming instructions, which does not come with it.

Thanks. I'm guessing a new remote is going to be necessary but I'm still hopeful.

dmar · 12-28-2014, 02:20 PM

I got a replacement remote from Ebay ($28). Everything seems to be working as it was, after some time working on getting it programmed. When we got the camper a few months ago (2010 Cougar 276RLS), the old remote only had 3 devices programmed (slide, front landing gear and awning). I'm not aware of anything else that should be on the remote, but there is at least one more relay in the front panel that clicks if I program a 4th position but nothing seems to activate. Does anyone know if there is anything else I could be programming for this unit?
Thanks, Don

Quiroule · 12-28-2014, 02:27 PM

I have a 2010, 291RLS and the remote works both slides, front and rear legs, awning and exterior lights. I can send you the programming instructions if you need them.

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