I have two MRC Tech 6 (2.0 and 6.0) sound controllers with handheld throttles. One is about two years old, the other, about two months. They both, after a month or two of use, have begun to "skip" speed steps as you advance the throttle using the knob. On the older one (2.0), sometimes a full turn or more is required to make the steps advance. Sometimes heavy pressure on the knob while turning makes it more responsive, sometimes you gotta PULL on the knob to make it work. The buttons (=/-) always work fine. Anybody else ever had this problem, and is there a possible fix "I" can do? MRC doesn't seem to give a rat's a**. I don't really see the need to replace them with two more (possibly) faulty handhelds. They are typically supposed to advance a speed step with each"click" of the knob, right? Well, they did when they were "brand" new! Any ideas?
Mike C.
Cheap Chinese digital encoders. If you can open up the handheld and find a part number on what is likely a little square block with a shaft sticking out of it to hold the knob, you can find said part at one of the various electronic suppliers like Mouser, Digi-Key, or jameco, and repalce it. have to unsolder the existing one and solder in a new one in the correct orientation.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Should You need it:
http://www.mouser.com/catalogviewer/default.aspx
Frank
My friend has a Prodigy DCC system and has the same problem. Before attempting to replace the encoder, see if there is an opening in it to spray an electronic cleaner in it. Joe