norman Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 (edited) I bought this set a few years ago to use on a garden railway but it never happened. So I want to use it now but find the range is less tan 1m against a claimed 100m. there is obviously something wrong but what? Any help advice will be appreciated. Norman Edited February 27, 2020 by norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 If this is the old mk1 MobileControl from the early 2000’s, you might want to check the battery condition. The battery may have degraded due to lack of use and charging. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi Ron Yes it is the Mk1 ESU mobile control version 1 from 2003. The 3xAAA batteries are fine - new ones fitted this morning! Norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 The original Mobile Control didn't have a dedicated battery pack, and batteries weren't supplied, at least according to the 2003 manual. Users had to buy their own AAA batteries, either Alkaline ones or rechargeable NiMH ones. Have you installed new batteries and made sure that the terminals are clean anf free from corrosion? If you have, then it may be a problem with the handset or the base unit, or possibly radio interference on the chsnnel that it's using. So try changing to use a different channel, the manual says the radio system has 10 channels, but doesn't actually say how you change them and implies channel selection is automatic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony566 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Have you contacted ESU or tried the ESU forum ?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hello Going (strange name) Yes I' have the manual and the handset and the base unit. The radio frequency is fixed at 433 MHz There are 10 channels but it is automatic selection only. I appreciate you throwing out suggestions but I was hoping someone with expert knowledge of the device might respond. Norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 I have emailed ESU today but not yet received a reply. The unit is no longer in production so I'm not hopeful of receiving support from ESU. I will try the ESu forum too.Thanks for the suggestion. Norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 2 hours ago, norman said: Hello Going (strange name) Yes I' have the manual and the handset and the base unit. The radio frequency is fixed at 433 MHz There are 10 channels but it is automatic selection only. I appreciate you throwing out suggestions but I was hoping someone with expert knowledge of the device might respond. Norman Strange name? Look at my avatar, London Transport '38 Tube Stock. Now you'll realise why I chose it. The product is now so old and been out of production for so long that I doubt that you'll get many replies. I can't remember when anyone last asked about the original Mobile Control on ESU's forum, it's so long ago. The manual can still be downloaded, that's where I got my information about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 I have emailed ESU today but not yet received a reply. The unit is no longer in production so I'm not hopeful of receiving support from ESU. I will try the ESu forum too.Thanks for the suggestion. Norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 Just a quick update. I have found an expert who tells me it's probably just frequency drift. Apparently, some of the components used to generate the wireless frequency age and drift off. He thinks he can fix it so .......................... I'm surprised no one on here had much of a clue though. Norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 Good news South West Digital aka the lovely Caroline and Steve have offered to send it back to ESU for repair. Norman 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium njee20 Posted March 12, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 12, 2020 On 04/03/2020 at 16:16, norman said: Just a quick update. I have found an expert who tells me it's probably just frequency drift. Apparently, some of the components used to generate the wireless frequency age and drift off. He thinks he can fix it so .......................... I'm surprised no one on here had much of a clue though. It's a poorly regarded 17 year old product, and you were pretty short with those who replied. Why exactly would you expect people here to have "much of a clue"? Frequency drift sounds like a dubious excuse to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveArkley Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 42 minutes ago, njee20 said: Frequency drift sounds like a dubious excuse to me. If it's 17 year old the crystal has probably.... crystallised. I consider this to be like people trying to resurrect and use a Zero One or a H & M Clipper - not sure it's worth it. Each to their own though. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted March 13, 2020 Author Share Posted March 13, 2020 Hi njee20 and Dave I appreciate all your friendly comments and advice, it's really well received. Good technical help from experienced guys who want to help me. The ESU mobile control Mk1 is a good piece of kit that hopefully I will be able to use with my ancient Lenz set in the garden quite soon. Cheers Norman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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