If you google around, you can find instructions for replacing the AAs with a couple of dowels, screws, and connect them up to a wall wart that outputs 3VDC.
6 weeks seems very low...
I am wondering if the console is losing 'sync' with the remote due to noise or some other issue.
The next time it dies, try holding down the + key on console until it beeps twice. It will then search for the remote sensor.
If it comes back, my guess is that the remote is a tad too far from the console.