DCS Remote

What about it is not working?

 

Mine had a broken bracket inside and I had to order a new one from MTH and replace it. Selecting something was becoming very difficult.

 

I think some here have improved scrolling with a certain type of contact cleaner, can't recall what brand it was though? Might try a search here for this one.

This is a common part, the thumbwheel assembly, there is a small plastic tab the after being pressed too hard or dropped can crack, thats why I keep them in stock.  They can be ordered and depending on your soldering skills you can attempt it yourself.  Or you can send it an authorized tech and we can do it.  There are three wires that are soldered to pads on the board.  If you attempt yourself be careful when opening it, be mindful of the LCD screen , don't let it move too much, and there is a small board that you need to be sure not to disrupt.

 

I found the opening and closing of the remote to be the most difficult part of the wheel replacement. Opening it was pretty bad, then getting everything all back in there properly was a close second. I would not recommend trying this unless you have some previous type of experience with things like this.

I can no longer press or roll the roller button.  It is stuck down.

How do I open the remote case?

Opening the case is the hardest part of the repair. Do you have the replacement thumb wheel. Get it and then do the change out. My  Handheld never worked better after replacing The Thumb Wheel. Barry's book describes the way to open the case and what to watch out for.

YOu have to open the battery compartment, remove the screw, then... the hard part.  You have to pry open the two halves.  I use a small flat head screw driver to make a purchase point, then carefully I work my way around spreading until it pops open.  But I would agree with RTR12, unless yo have some experience, you can do damage if you are not careful.  keep me posted how you make out.  email in profile if you need to

You have to solder the new thumb wheel in also.  G

Sounds like a new thumb wheel is in order. Order it first before opening the remote as kgsouth suggested, no point in opening it twice. If you are not comfortable doing things like this, take it to your nearest MTH repair center, one of the techs here or send back to MTH.

 

Also as kgsouth says, if you do try it yourself The DCS O gauge companion (Barry's book) has detailed instructions on working with the case and component inside it. I recommend reading that before starting. I couldn't begin to describe it that well without coping from the book which would not be right (or legal). I would not have attempted the repair without the book and reading about it here in several threads.

Ok...I think I'll pass on trying to fix myself.

I'm now trying to back up my remote & transfer data to my other remote.

I follow all the steps and get to where the dcs loader program asks me for a save location.

I chose the save location, but when I click the save button nothing happens.

I'm stuck, please help.

Thanks - BC

my remote is acting up also..seems the thumb wheel has too many responsibilities

thats why I ordered the MTH wifi interface..I have 6 smart phones in my home...and a kindle and an Ipad...

seems silly to use the remote

 

but lest  get off on a rant..seems the remote is a little less than to be desired as far as construction...like maybe it was an afterthought..and not really designed to be the crucial link between man and machine  it is

The thumb wheel seems to be the weak link. A little sturdier mounting bracket would be nice. Other than that the remote seems sturdy enough to me and the layout of the keys is pretty good for one handed operation. At least for me it is anyway. The design is also what 12-13 years old? I expect the iphone apps and operation will replace it someday and I am not expecting an upgrade to the existing remote, but you never know?

Does anyone know the actual roller wheel part number.  I have tried to find the parts diagram for 50-1002 and does not seem to be there.  Is there a general test to know if the remote has addition problems other than the roller wheel.  Does MTH have that ability or equipment?

Thanks

Buzz

BG-5000000

The "test" of the remote is to exercise it after replacing the thumbwheel.

 

Blue Comet,

   Now if you really want to up grade your DCS hand held remote control,

get WillyGee (Bill Ingraham) here on the OGR to replace the wheel, and make the remote control a fully rechargeable entity, Bill did this upgrade to 2 of my hand held remotes, and they work fantastic, in this manner, and the rechargeable batteries stay

charged a super long time.

PCRR/Dave

I have 3 DCS remotes. one of the thumb wheels does Not click, the other two do. The one that does not click still works OK, however you can only adjust the speeds very slowly. If the thumb wheel is moved quickly, the speed does not generally change.

 

Do you think the thumbwheel that does not click is broken and could be repaired, or is that just the way some of them operate?

 

Thanks: JK

It can be repaired with a new thumb wheel installed BG-5000000.  Either the index ball is worn or some other internal issue with thumbwheel.  Thumbwheel replacement is common after a certain period of heavy use.  G

am having issues with mine. I bought the part, $16.

will attempt to repair this week

opened DCS remote

the rear frame portion was cracked..

so I got out my "worlds greatest glue"  and problem solved

Keeping the thumb wheel for futre repair or based on MTH service issues..might be able to ransom it nicely..LOL

If you refrain from opening the remote (or for that matter doing anything) because you lack experience, then you will never attain the experience. 

 

Did I read somewhere on the forum that the wires that come on the replacement wheels have a different color pattern than they sued to?

 

Aside from the flimsy wheel assembly and the flimsy battery cover, I think the design of the remote is quite good.  Unlike a tablet, it can be used in one hand.  Unlike a tablet or smart phone, it does not have an easily breakable screen.

 

I have several non-train devices around that have similar wheels, like car radio volume controls.  They all occasionally don't cause the reaction they should.

IMO, the thumbwheel could have been a hall effect or optical device and have been more reliable and predictable.  It's unfortunate that seems to be the one major weakness of the DCS remote.

Can't disagree, GRJ, but would it have had an adverse effect on cost and durability?????

Only MTH can answer the cost issue, but I don't see how it would have affected durability.  With no contacts, optical or hall effect solutions are the preferred industrial solution for high reliability applications.  I used a lot of optical position sensors in aerospace cockpit equipment, I would have never even considered a contact based solution for the task.  I never used hall effect devices, but they're also capable of very high reliability.

 

I had an 88 Ford which used Hall effect for the crankshaft position sensor.  Had no problems---ignition issues were elsewhere that year.

Replaced my wheel a couple weeks ago and it was wire for wire and color for color same as the old one, identical. What a difference it made too! I also like the design or the remote.