DCS Remote

Take your time, it's a little tricky.  You have to disassemble the old one and unsolder the wires in order to get the new cradle on.

@RJT posted:

I got some sad news over the weekend after over 25 years of use my original DCS Remote appears to have the Wheel Cradle break.

How did you get a DCS remote 6 years before it came out? 🤨

I've done one of these before, you'll cringe a bit if this the first time you've taken the remote apart. Just don't be to forceful and take your time.

Rick, sounds like it served you well!

@H1000 posted:

How did you get a DCS remote 6 years before it came out? 🤨

I've done one of these before, you'll cringe a bit if this the first time you've taken the remote apart. Just don't be to forceful and take your time.

I got my DCS system very early when they were first released I guess I was a little off with how long it lasted instead of 25 years it only last about 20 years, my bad.

As stated, the first time a remote comes apart, it's pretty difficult to separate it.  The next time is much easier.  Don't to gorilla on it or you'll break the tabs.

If you do some hunting on the OGR forum you can find some good past posts on how to replace it all the details.

The one tip I have is if you are not good at soldering small circuits is I took mine to a local electrical repair shop and they had the skills and tools to quickly for a little $ correctly solder the new wires on.

Soldering the wires isn’t as much of a problem as desoldering and resoldering the circuit board that has to be removed to change the cradle.

I truthfully don't give the soldering a second thought as I do that kind of stuff every day.  I know I had to take apart more than I expected to replace the cradle.

I have a few spare remotes and a spare thumbwheel, but I’m too chicken to solder the spare thumbwheel into my first remote.  I have “fixed” the cradle (twice) using crazy glue.  It works…for a while.

The glued cradle repairs never seem to last very long, I gave up on those.

@RJT posted:

I got some sad news over the weekend after over 25 years of use my original DCS Remote appears to have the Wheel Cradle break. I was so proud reading and hearing about all the folks that had issues with theirs and how mine just kept on keeping on. Well time finally caught up with it. I am glad I picked up several extra cradles along with a entire wheel and cradle assembly when I acquired a second remote. So does anyone have any tips/do's or don't when replacing the cradle?

Wow! Consider yourself lucky. I have never heard of one lasting that long. The thumbwheels have tended to be problematic.

Pat 

@irish rifle posted:

Wow! Consider yourself lucky. I have never heard of one lasting that long. The thumbwheels have tended to be problematic.

Pat

I don't want to jinx anything, but my original remote is still going strong.  I try not to press too hard on the thumbwheel and have been very careful not to drop it.  It still works like a charm.

@irish rifle posted:

Wow! Consider yourself lucky. I have never heard of one lasting that long. The thumbwheels have tended to be problematic.

Pat

Like Strap Hanger I treat it gently and the only issue I have had with it is the battery cover which as been broke for 10 years held in place with a rubber band and electrical tape.

I want to THANK everyone for their advice and tips on repairing it. GRJ I have had it apart once because I thought the cradle was broke that was when I ordered the spare parts so that part should not be to bad my decision would be save the wheel assembly and just replace the cradle or replace the entire assembly? I am inclined to save the wheel assemble for when I have no choice since I have two remotes.

Well, it's far easier to replace the whole assembly.  If the thumbwheels are still available, that's how I'd go if you're not good at soldering.  When thumbwheels were not available, I replaced the cradles as that was the only option.

After I got my DCS, I was at the LHS and heard the talk about the thumbwheel.
so I ordered a complete assembly.
And true to form, my cradle broke…so I installed the new one, repaired the broken one…and waited.
I went to buy another assembly, but could only get the components-not the complete assembly.  
Then I got a second DCS TIU with Remote from the “auction site that shall not be named”, and the thumbwheel was ready to fail, among other issues.
So, I’ve still got Spare parts..

Plus I bought a new DCS Remote when they were last offered.
I went back for a second one, but they were sold out.

That thumbwheel selector all in one button was a good idea in theory, but it would have been a better design if there was an independent selector button.

If someone could create an add on, that was attached on the back side of the case, they might make a small fortune.

As far as replacing the thumbwheel, some solder wick to remove the existing solder is a plus

And take a photo-to be sure you put the wires where they belong

@1drummer posted:

That thumbwheel selector all in one button was a good idea in theory, but it would have been a better design if there was an independent selector button.

If someone could create an add on, that was attached on the back side of the case, they might make a small fortune.

I remember a post where someone put a small button on the front and wired it to the switch contacts to replace the press the thumbwheel button.

I replaced the entire thumb wheel assembly and it was a piece of cake to do. After that I removed the wheel assembly for the broken bracket and installed into a new bracket and that was not to bad either. Thanks everyone for the advice and guidance specially you GRJ.

FYI I photographed the wiring on the old wheel assembly and installed the new one the same way. Don't do that the wheel will run backwards up will be down and down will be up. Follow the instructions that come with the new wheel assembly they are there for a reason and pay attention to wheel direction as the instruction state.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I remember a post where someone put a small button on the front and wired it to the switch contacts to replace the press the thumbwheel button.

I also remember that post, but not having any luck finding it through the Search app.

@John H posted:

I also remember that post, but not having any luck finding it through the Search app.

Shouldn't be rocket science, just replace the switch that is under the cradle with the aux switch in the location of your choice.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I remember a post where someone put a small button on the front and wired it to the switch contacts to replace the press the thumbwheel button.

It took me half the day to find it but I finally did:

   DCS Thumbwheel Push Switch Alternative | pennsy484

Mike