DCS Remote Problem Turns itself off

I have had that problem intermittently.  It is almost always in the TIU.  Try the simple checks first.  Make sure none of the TIU fixtures are getting hot on you.  Next, check all your leads into the fixed and variable ports.  Mostly, this will solve the problem for me.  Somehow and mysteriously, things get loose or you find a connection that isn't tight enough.   TIU's are too sensitive to these things, but, when they work, it's fabulous.  

Next, are you getting "check track" messages from your remote?  These may indicate that your track is not getting enough power for a myriad of reasons.   The guys will usually recommend you trying the aux port for powering up the TIU with a RS 18/24 adapter.

JerryG

I am not the guru, but I don't think the TIU can have anything to do with your problem. There is a time out setting for the remote; check that first. Also, put more foam on the battery cover to keep the batteries firm in the case. If your batteries are low, the remote will show BAT, so you should be able to rule that out. One other possibility is that hte board is not totally mated. I think that is describe in Barry's book.

MENU/SYSTEM/REMOTE SETUP/REMOTE POWERDOWN

Bob,

It is almost always in the TIU.

On the contrary, this is never the TIUs issue. You should disregard that statement and the rest of that post.

John (post above this one) has it almost right. However, it has nothing to do with a floating transceiver board. There is a section that discusses the problem of a remote turning off on page 155 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

• If the DCS remote tends to turn itself off in less than the preset Remote Power Down time (refer to section Part II - DCS Is An Operating System for Your Trains!, DCS Menus, System Menu, Remote Setup) there could be a problem with its batteries. If the display shows a (BAT) or simply fades out, replace the 4 AAA batteries with fresh Alkaline or fully charged rechargeable batteries. If the DCS Remote turns off when placed down on a hard surface, open the battery compartment and ensure that the foam backing is in place inside the battery compartment door and that the batteries are properly seated in the battery compartment. Note that no loss of data will occur if the batteries are temporarily removed. 

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 was 100% right, though, when I said I wasn't the guru. Thanks for the clarification.

BobNJ1,

    I fully eliminated this problem by having my DCS Hand Held Remote upgraded to fully rechargeable, works like a million bucks. Further these rechargeable batteries are just little bigger and seen to stay in the Hand Held Compartment better also.

PCRR/Dave

Thank you for the suggestions, I do not get a message that the batteries are low or any other message. The remote just fades out and I have to press the on button and wait for it to power up again. It happens while I am holding the remote in my hand.   I made sure all the contact points are clean and have no rust or other corrosion on them. I will add more foam to keep the batteries tight. I will advise if the foam solves the problem. I will also check the remote settings.

Thank you for the help.

I have to put a thin piece of foam in any DCS remote to keep the batteries in place.  If the foam is not there, just gently setting it down will sometimes cause it to power off.  This is just a battery compartment design issue.

Bob,

I do not get a message that the batteries are low or any other message. The remote just fades out

Do you get a "(B)" coming up on the right-hand side of the display? That's the low battery warning.

Regardless, if the display truly gets lighter and fades out over several seconds or more, rather than the remote just abruptly turning off, the batteries need to be replaced or, if they are rechargeable batteries, they need to be recharged.

Low batteries  if things gradually fade out...  I don't think it's the  power down remote" option" under remote set up.(  anywhere from 60 minutes to 1 minute)

I have new batteries in the remote. I have it set for 60 minutes and I added extra foam. I do not get any messages, I do not put the remote down the screen just goes blank. The foam has helped the remote stays on longer before it goes blank. I will try adding even more foam.

Gently stretch the battery springs and ensure that the batteries are securely seated.

Thank you Barry, the combination of additional foam and stretching the springs did the trick. The remote stays on even when I put it down.