Openin DCS handheld unit

From page 156 of The DCS O  Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:

 

Opening the DCS Remote can be extremely difficult and can cause problems with the DCS Remote! You should consider having this done by an authorized MTH service center! 

• Open the battery compartment door on the back of the DCS Remote and remove the batteries 

• Remove the Philips head screw inside the battery compartment 

• Before opening the DCS Remote's case, note that when the DCS Remote is opened, there will still be a black wire connecting the two halves of its case 

• Begin to separate the two halves of the DCS Remote's case by pushing outwards from inside the battery compartment while squeezing the bottom portion of the top of the DCS Remote. This requires considerable patience, particularly when opening a DCS remote's case for the first time 

• Once the bottom of the shell begins to separate, gently continue to separate the two halves of the case and open the DCS Remote like a book, taking care not to damage the wire connecting the two halves of the case 

• The transceiver board is located at the top of the DCS Remote behind the LCD screen. 

Do not under any circumstances lift up on the transceiver board or black wire! 

• Press down gently on the transceiver board to reseat it 

• Place a piece of soft, nonconductive spongy material on top of the transceiver board so that it will hold the board in place when the DCS Remote is reassembled 

• Carefully line up the two halves of the case and gently but firmly snap them back together 

• Replace the Philips head screw, the batteries and the battery compartment door.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Thanks for the help, I assumed there was a screw in the battery compartment that may be holding it together.  I will take a look if it's beyond my comprehension I'll just drop it off at my local MTH repair guy.

I would add to Barry's recital, carefully observe and remember how the PC board, rubber button mat, and switch fit with each other.  But it is doable by anyone with no more than 2 thumbs.

Do like Barry posted.  Stay clear of screwdrivers.

CMS1528,

    When my DCS Hand Held Remote Controls needed repaired, I had the guys here on the OGR not only fix the thumb wheel, I had Willy Gee up grade both of them to fully rechargeable units.  IMO you should spend the money to have somebody who is really knowledgable, fix and then upgrade your MTH DCS HHRC, others like to fix their own not me, MartyF, Guns, GGG and Willy Gee are the pros at this kind of work, I made my living in a different way, I do not transgress on their professionalism, I pay them for it.  

PCRR/Dave

If you have self confidence, only 2 thumbs, can solder, can recognize colored wire, then fear not and tackle the job yourself

Thanks everyone for your help, encouragement and advise.  Tackled it myself and problem fixed., love this forum.

Yeah Me too. Great.

So now you know YOU can do it!

If you're really brave, you could add this foam piece inside! ( It'll help with the extra pushy thumbs!)

Engineer Joe where did you buy that foam?

And is it sold buy the foot or what quantity?

Alan

 I got it a few years ago. If I remember right, it's a small roll of extra thick (3/4") door/window  insulation that came from Value home centers. I think it's just enough to do one door or at least one side of it.

 I had to replace the thumbwheel finally after about ten years. I put the foam back in for safety.

Barry and I had talked about bringing some remote halves to the DCS users meeting at York to do a short show and tell.  After you master opening the remote, it becomes very easy.  Anyone think this may be a good idea or something you might want to observe.

Marty, I think it's a great idea.  Going further, suppose we videotape the process and post the video on the forum.  I can volunteer to do that.

For crying out loud... Why not fix the thing so we don't EVER  have to take it apart.

Gregg, show me the device made up of components which never has a failure.  Remote parts fail in use, as does everything else.

 

One of my grandsons opened the remote by using a concrete floor.

One of my grandsons opened the remote by using a concrete floor.

LOL!! 

Gregg,  good luck with that thought.

yes Marty think it would be a great idea to demo how to take remote apart without causing damage especially for first time users . !!! Good Idea!

 

Alan

Can't  wait to see the video. Great reference for all to see

 

I know the first time I opened up one I was very careful as I already new not to separate the halves to far apart and possibly breaking a wire or trace from the transmitter board, I had already read somebody else's horrorr story so I was very careful!

Alan 

FYI for anyone reading this post.  Barry and others have stated many times the following.  When you open the remote and observe the transceiver board not sitting tight with the motherboard, do not pull the transceiver board.  Just push it down tight.  If you try to pull the board, you will lift the traces and your remote will end up in my remote junk box with many others.

Marty,

   Amen!

PCRR/Dave

Thank you all for your comments.  I did mine this afternoon, and I had been putting it off not looking forward to it.  It went without a hitch.     I did have a minor scare though, I installed a set of batteries in and started the remote.  IT WOULDN'T COME ON!!  Thought MAYBE its a bad set of batteries?  Sure enough! Got a fresh set and it came right on!