Having trouble with one remote it keeps shutting off, It sometimes happens when I don't put it down gently. Batteries are always tight in there. Is it time to reseat the board again ?
Clem
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My issue is the battery cover doesn't have any foam to hold the batteries in place and they are always getting dislodged. I've used small bubble rap to hold the batteries in place.
But if you are sure your batteries are in tight, then you might have to re-seat the boards.
I would take a look at the battery connections. You may have to gently pry out the negative connections with a small screw driver... All batteries are also not created equal... some are a tighter fit than others....I would do anything to avoid opening up the remote.
What do have the shut off time set for?
I have my original remote that does this. It seems if I place it face down, it's much better. It's so bad, that if I squeeze the remote, it also shuts down. I have worked inside to try and fix it.
I have a zip tie going around it completely now and it's behaving much better.
Clem,
If the added foam in the battery compartment does not work, open the remote and make sure everything is seated properly.
Dave
Clem & Dave,
Is it time to reseat the board again ?
f the added foam in the battery compartment does not work, open the remote and make sure everything is seated properly.
The transceiver board being loose is absolutely not the problem with the remote turning itself off when set down too hard.
Typically, this issue occurs for one of the following reasons:
- The batteries are not well-seated in their compartment. Reseat them.
- The springs that hold the batteries have lost their tension. Gently stretch the springs to re-tension them.
- Their is insufficient foam padding affixed to the battery compartment door. Add additional padding, however, be careful not to make the battery compartment door "bulge" out.
- Some batteries are actually just a hair shorter than others. Try using a different brand of battery.
The battery compartment is not the best design feature of the DCS Remote.
 | This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store! |
Thank you..... It just might be the batteries, I switched to rechargeables.
Seems like I tried rechargeables in my DCS remote some time ago and had problems. I went back to regular batteries. It could have been battery size in my case, I have had that problem before with rechargeables being slightly smaller.
It's almost surely the battery cover. I have three remotes, all of them needed more foam in the back of the cover to hold the batteries in place.
Seems like I tried rechargeables in my DCS remote some time ago and had problems.
I've been using nothing but rechargeable batteries in all 5 of my remotes for 10+ years will great results.
I also have usd a small piece of strapping tape to keep the batteries tight in the compartment . & new piece of foam!
Barry, what kind are you using? I might give it another try. I was going to try the Tenergy (I think it was) that GRJ liked and used, but never got around to ordering any.
Barry Broskowitz posted:Clem & Dave,
Is it time to reseat the board again ?
f the added foam in the battery compartment does not work, open the remote and make sure everything is seated properly.
The transceiver board being loose is absolutely not the problem with the remote turning itself off when set down too hard.
Typically, this issue occurs for one of the following reasons:
- The batteries are not well-seated in their compartment. Reseat them.
- The springs that hold the batteries have lost their tension. Gently stretch the springs to re-tension them.
- Their is insufficient foam padding affixed to the battery compartment door. Add additional padding, however, be careful not to make the battery compartment door "bulge" out.
- Some batteries are actually just a hair shorter than others. Try using a different brand of battery.
The battery compartment is not the best design feature of the DCS Remote.
This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!"
This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!
Barry,
I wasn't clear. I was not talking about the RF board. I recently had a remote that had been sent away for service and was not put back together properly. It looked OK but was shutting down all the time. The main PCB was out of position. (yeah I know that sounds impossible) but true.
Dave
what kind are you using?
I've used several in the past, including EverReady, Duracell, EBL, and a few others. All have worked quite well, however, some of the EverReady batteries tend to not do real well in the longevity department when used with my rapid charger.
Barry Broskowitz posted:Seems like I tried rechargeables in my DCS remote some time ago and had problems.
I've been using nothing but rechargeable batteries in all 5 of my remotes for 10+ years will great results.
Same here panasonic eneloops. My remotes have charge jacks.
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Thanks, I have had some Duracell AA's That were pretty good, I will look around for some in AAA. I have been using regular old Duracell Alkaline in my DCS remote with good success and they last quite a while.
I think I may have some Eneloop AAA's around here somewhere, I'll give those a try as well.
Thanks.
WillyGee,
Bill Still using my rechargeable set up you made for my DCS hand held remote control, everything still work perfectly, having you upgrade my units and make them fully rechargeable was one of the best improvement to the DCS handheld remote control we ever did, IMO MTH should supply the DCS Hand Held Remotes in this configuration to begin with.
PCRR/Dave
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Pine Creek Railroad posted:WillyGee,
Bill Still using my rechargeable set up you made for my DCS hand held remote control, everything still work perfectly, having you upgrade my units and make them fully rechargeable was one of the best improvement to the DCS handheld remote control we ever did, IMO MTH should supply the DCS Hand Held Remotes in this configuration to begin with.
PCRR/Dave
Thanks Dave...mine(2 remotes)
works perfectly. as a matter of fact rechargeables are 3 years old.
I just benefited from this 4 year old thread. This morning my "newer" DCS Remote showed "BAT" in the display. I replaced the 4 batteries with a mix of new ones. 1 CVS and 3 Energizer. Nothing changed. When I turned it on, it would still either just flash on then go off, or not turn on. I checked the batteries voltages and they were fine. I stretched the springs...no joy. I was thinking maybe the boards in the remote need to be reseated. Something I did want to do unless no other alternative existed. I replaced a thumbwheel in my old remote...an experience I hope I never have to repeat. Pulling apart one of these remotes is no fun. Then I read this string and learned that batteries of the same "size" like AAA could be a different physical size. I replaced the 3 Energizer batteries with all CVS brand batteries. The remote fired right up! Although I carefully looked and pushed on the batteries to determine if they were different in size I could not tell...but, they were. Thanks to the great folks on this Forum for once again, providing sound advice and solutions.
ant time you have remote dying or just shutting off the FIRST THING TO DO IS PUT 4 BRAND NEW BATTERIES! 100% OF THE TIME THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM!!!!
ALAN
@Alan Mancus posted:ant time you have remote dying or just shutting off the FIRST THING TO DO IS PUT 4 BRAND NEW BATTERIES! 100% OF THE TIME THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM!!!!
Actually, the top suspect is not the battery replacement for the remote shutting off when you set it down, it's the battery compartment. The fix is foam or some other method of holding the batteries in place.
@Dave Hikel came up with this great little 3D printed bracket to hold the batteries in place, I picked them up at York a few years ago. These work great! You don't need foam pressing against the battery cover and potentially breaking the latch, and the bracket is designed to avoid contact with the stock piece of foam in the battery cover. All in all, a pretty clever design.
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@gunrunnerjohn posted:Actually, the top suspect is not the battery replacement for the remote shutting off when you set it down, it's the battery compartment. The fix is foam or some other method of holding the batteries in place.
@Dave Hikel came up with this great little 3D printed bracket to hold the batteries in place, I picked them up at York a few years ago. These work great! You don't need foam pressing against the battery cover and potentially breaking the latch, and the bracket is designed to avoid contact with the stock piece of foam in the battery cover. All in all, a pretty clever design.
Too funny. Was happening to me exactly as you described GRJ. If @Dave Hikel is monitoring this thread, please let me know if you're still selling the battery compartment brackets. I'm in for 2 and my brother-in-law is, as well.
I would like to buy a couple of these brackets as well!
I put a link to his profile so he'd see the alert. I don't know if he still has them or not, but I suspect he might.
I bought a couple of them from Dave at York in October. He can be a hard man to get a hold of since he is often on the road with train layouts. The best way of getting a hold of him is calling his number (206) 920-9647. His battery holder contraption made a huge difference and much more effective than the foam in the battery compartment trick.
I saw Dave, but I didn't think of those when I was talking to him.
