How to disassemble the essence remote

12 replies
Is there any information on how to disassemble the essence remote? I acquired one on ebay, that was listed as for parts. It seems to work, but the left button and volume wheel are a bit sticky. I'm thinking something may have been spilled. I don't see any screw holes and I don't want to go randomly prying.
If you search on the archived forums you will find a post about this, but If I remember correctly it was next to impossible without damage since the ring is press fitted. one big gamble would me immersing the remote in a bowl of alcohol and hope for the best. … Maybe someone else has better advice…. They are super nice little remotes and without the full essence kit the wheely remotes can be used IR / Bluetooth with many beosound/play speakers!    
Short answer…I don’t know Long answer speculation mode….on obviously a service manual is required if there is one but looking at the battery side, there are 4 x 3mm holes next to the locking lugs. When I look down these holes with a loupe there appears to be a ball bearing at the bottom of each and an off centre plate thing.  I guess near to the underside of the touch pad? I wonder If the volume ring is locked in position with a spring clamp/bearing arrangement and is released in a similar way to early 1990 car stereos - I.e with 2 U-shaped coat hanger wire (but thinner of course) which are pulled apart in pairs to release the clamping spring? it may be that the Essence remote was never designed for service and a new module was matched to the expensive base? speculation mode…off
you find the screws under the plastic plate/keyboard to open the remote .... you must lift it up but please be very careful good luck

My B&O Icons:

Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovision-Eclipse.png Beovision-Eclipse.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound-Explore.png Beosound-Explore.png
Beosound-5.png Beosound-5.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoremote-Halo.png Beoremote-Halo.png
Beoplay-Portal.png Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-H95.png Beoplay-H95.png
Beoplay-H4.png Beoplay-H4.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
Cool info Beozip! Did you just carefully pry of the plastic cover ? it will not bend doing that?   For extra support / info you could also sent a message to the company https://ruwido.com They seem to be the company (located in Austria) contracted by B&O to have made the Essence remotes. They specialize in remotes and the name is found on the small print of the sticker on the essence plastic mounting plate….    
I have not try it for my self but with a little heat from a hairdryer can that maybe work. The pic is from a member thread out of the archive forum But no warranty from me ;)

My B&O Icons:

Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovision-Eclipse.png Beovision-Eclipse.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound-Explore.png Beosound-Explore.png
Beosound-5.png Beosound-5.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoremote-Halo.png Beoremote-Halo.png
Beoplay-Portal.png Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-H95.png Beoplay-H95.png
Beoplay-H4.png Beoplay-H4.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
The plastic button cover is attached to the black plastic disc (with the four screws) with thin double sided tape. You need to use a tool that looks like a guitar puck to separate the bond. Some very gentle heat would help but because as the button cover can easily warp. Slide the puck between the two parts and work around until the tape bond it broken. The battery tray on the reverse side can then be removed by gently straightening the four IR LEDs.  
Old thread, I know! Has anyone else had this problem (and what did they do)…….the wheel of the Essence Remote is not turning smooth (anymore)? I got me a (secondhand) remote, that I wanted to wall mount, but this is by far not as buttery smooth when regulating the volume. It does not seem, that any fluid was spilled on it. I did try the tip from Beozip - but with no results. I’d be gratefull for any information - how many remotes suffer from this, if any? I had to replace it with one of my other ‘wheelys’ - but I like that you can see the Bang & Olufsen logo, that you only have on the wall version. MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

Hi MM, why not just swap the plastic part so you get the B&O-logo on the functioning one?   I took the essence remote apart and posted pictures in the old forum. Reason? Same issue as you, MM. the wheel was not spinning properly, felt like it was sand inside it. it seemed to me that the lubricant that had been used in the ball bearing caused the plastic ring holding them in place to dissolve. I managed to drop all the metal balls out from the bearing, and did not have the tools (strong enough magnets) to get them in place again. it should be doable do clean of the old grease/lubricant and fit a new o-ring, but you have to be very careful. Chances of messing up is 85%
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