Recently i had to replace the TachReader in my MTH Bavarian S3/6. This is my only MTH loco. Now, to my immediate problem, after about 10 min. of running my DCS remote either sticks on a speed setting, unresponsive to the thumbwheel. Doesn't happen overtime, but it's getting annoying. As far as I can tell everything else works, even when I use the thumbwheel to scroll through menus, etc. I don't understand what's going on? Do I need to replace the DCS remote? thanks.
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Thumb wheels are replaceable. May be going bad. But since only one engine, do a reset of remote and change the batteries to make sure that is not the issue. G
If the thumbwheel works smoothly scrolling through menus and any other function, I'd be thinking signal strength issues might be the problem.
You can try to change the operating mode of the remote to see if signal strength is affecting the operation. MENU, SYSTEM, REMOTE SETUP, OPERATING MODE, SPEED.
This will change the remote operation so it doesn't look for replies from the DCS engine. It just sends the commands blindly and continues on. If the thumbwheel suddenly works properly, it's not the thumbwheel.
FWIW, I took two of my remotes apart that did have thumbwheel issues and used contact cleaner on them, good as new.
Another possibility . range problem caused by a loose transceiver in the remote. Try it tethered with the curly phone cable. (if you have one). The one that goes from the hand piece to the phone base.(not the one that plugs into the wall) must be 4 wire.
After 10 minutes it starts to misbehave??? Battery issue??
This is my only MTH loco.
what else is on the tracks at the same time? (I'm going with the signal idea.)
If the thumbwheel works smoothly scrolling through menus and any other function, I'd be thinking signal strength issues might be the problem.
You can try to change the operating mode of the remote to see if signal strength is affecting the operation. MENU, SYSTEM, REMOTE SETUP, OPERATING MODE, SPEED.
This will change the remote operation so it doesn't look for replies from the DCS engine. It just sends the commands blindly and continues on. If the thumbwheel suddenly works properly, it's not the thumbwheel.
FWIW, I took two of my remotes apart that did have thumbwheel issues and used contact cleaner on them, good as new.
I removed the screw in the battery compartment. I tried to pry apart the remote case, but stopped when it seemed if I went further it would crack. Is just brute force or is there a better way to separate the case?
This is my only MTH loco.
what else is on the tracks at the same time? (I'm going with the signal idea.)
Nothing running. two Legacy engines on sidings, but they are in standby mode only. i reset the remote to "speed" as was suggested by gunrunnerjohn but the thumbwheel still did not change speed smoothly and did in fact stick at a speed no matter which direction I rolled the wheel. I'm trying to pull the case apart now as GRJ suggested to clean the roller contacts...that's assuming I don't destroy the case in the process.
I'm betting it's the signal. Try running a signal strength test on the engine before U tear into the remote.
I'm betting it's the signal. Try running a signal strength test on the engine before U tear into the remote.
How do I do that?
put your engine on track, then use remote.
press menu/track signal/press thumb wheel straight down and remote wil read track signal on remote!
good luck
Alan
It read "8". Thanks for the help.
I would have bet that the Lionel engines in standby, (or something else,) were messing up the signal.
your welcome!
alan
Dirty track /wheels or loose connections can be a problem however why do things run smoothly for the first 10 minutes ? or do they??
Track cleaning is overdue.
Recently i had to replace the TachReader in my MTH Bavarian S3/6. This is my only MTH loco. Now, to my immediate problem, after about 10 min. of running my DCS remote either sticks on a speed setting, unresponsive to the thumbwheel. Doesn't happen overtime, but it's getting annoying. As far as I can tell everything else works, even when I use the thumbwheel to scroll through menus, etc. I don't understand what's going on? Do I need to replace the DCS remote? thanks.
Was the Clickity clack the problem??
All is working now. I had the volume set too low to hear the clickers-clack. Track is on plywood only. Thanks for your help.