MTH remote control thumbwheel button no longer "clicks"

There is a screw where the battery compartment is located. This is an ongoing topic. Do a search and there should be good advise and pictorials.

Joe,

From page 161 of The DCS Companion 3rd 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 Phillips 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.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “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 MTH's web store!

Part # BG-5000000 From MTH. $16 for the assembly and $15.05 to ship.

Thanks for the info on how to open the remote.

When the wheel looses it's click ability, can it be repaired, or is a new wheel assembly required?

thanks: JK

Joe, I have one that I can send you, that the plastic housing cracked on, but the rotary switch is still good. You can spread the wheel housing and push the rotary out then do a swap. Email me your address if your up for a challenge. Email is in my profile.

Thanks Barry. I have the DCS companion. I should have checked it out first.

I will get a spare thumb wheel and consider changing it out myself. 

I have an engine to send out for repair, so I may consider having the remote fixed at the same time.

Thanks: JK

Here is what they look like inside...i repaired this one..still going..but i wouldn't recommend it.

This is a great time for you to buy the Wi-Fi module and run the trains with your phone.  Once you use the phone the remote will get little use.

Son't mess with it, replace it.  Cheap money, done and over.  Not a bad idea to buy an extra.  Ray is correct.  I rarely use the remote.  John, where did that shipping number come from??

Ray Lombardo posted:

This is a great time for you to buy the Wi-Fi module and run the trains with your phone.  Once you use the phone the remote will get little use.

I have a very plain cell phone ($100/year), which works great for calls and texts, but nothing else.

What is the cheapest smart-phone that will work - just to run the trains? (It wouldn't have to have AT&T or similar service, would it?)

Thx!

Alex

AFAIK, it does not need service if you're only going to use it for wifi (or 911 for that matter). Just make sure it's capable of running the latest iOS or Android OS that the app needs.

Based on the above advice, I will have a technician change the thumb wheel for me. 

I have the Hikel system that was designed prior to the MTH wi-fi module. However, I like to run the trains with the remove, as it is simple for visitors.

How much is the wi-fi module, and how does it install? 

Thanks: JK

Marty,

John H posted:

Marty,

Or if you go to YORK you can pick up a replacement for just the 16 bucks and save on the shipping.  MTH parts booth in Orange Hall.

Joe K posted:

Based on the above advice, I will have a technician change the thumb wheel for me. 

It isn't that hard to do it yourself if you replace the whole assembly. Just get the remote apart and solder three wires.

John, that shipping number does not seem right.  Did you call and question it?  

I didn’t call, I just swallowed hard. I should have ordered two, but I can still use the old one, as I glued the mounting frame where it was broken. I’ll be more aware next time. A couple of years ago I called and got number board and didn’t have to pay the $10 minimum, so on average I’m not so bad off. 

Repair is definitely less expensive than buying a new remote or a wifi module.  Here is a video on how to open the remote.  You only have to watch the first minute and a half.  The rest is to fix a different remote issue.

Try to repair it... If you fail and destroy it, then you can always buy a new one or the wifi.  But you will never know unless you try.  And you will gain experience along the way.

Good Luck.

Ron