I am having a problem. i just finished laying my track. I am a beginer at model railroading so i have a relativily simple layout. I bought a transformer [tech4 MRC 220] and hooked it to the track i am positive that i have it connected properly, but whenever i put the engine on the track and try to run it no matter what speed i put the transformer up to it doesnt move at all. I have tried other transformers but i keep on having the same problem, the engine just wont move. I have no cars attached to it to weigh it down either. I’m stumped maybey you can help me. [%-)]
First you’ll have to know if current is going to the track and for this a simple voltmeter will do the job,or you can fabricate a test lamp with a 12 volt bulb and two wires.First step would be the power supply outlets(variable DC) wich should read increasing voltage when you increase throttle setting.If not,the control is faulty.
Then check if current is showing at the track connections,then the track right next to the connections then the next track section and so on.If you get current readings throughout your trackwork,a little track cleaning may be in order.
If all this fails,the only component left is the loco itself.Make sure the wheels are clean first.Read voltage by touching the wheels,then remove the shell and verify voltage at each contact points going towards the motor.You probably haver a case of dirty electrical contacts or broken wire on the way to the motor.
hey thanks im going to try that
Does the loco make any noise when you put it on the track? Does it hum, or if you touch it can you feel any vibration? If so maybe there’s something jammed mechanically. If not, then follow jacktal’s suggestions.
Does the wall outlet work?
Are you sure the wires are connected to the variable voltage side of the power pack?
Are the connections on the power pack and track tight?
Does the yellow light come on when you turn on the power pack?
Does the green light come on when you turn the throttle up?
Does the red light on the power pack come on when you throttle up?
Is there voltage to the track? (use test light or multi meter)
Are you sure the direction switch is fully to one side or the other?
Is the momentum switch off?
Are you using switches to route power to the track?
Do you have a reverse loop?
Do you have a wye?
What brand of turnouts are you using?
Are you sure you don’t have feeder wires crossed?
Have you tried another locomotive?
I vote for the problem resides in the loco, do you have another engine to try?
I have a P2K GP7 that had a wire that kept breaking off at the soldering point, I eventually replaced the wire with a new one, works fine now
If you do and the same prob. occurs then the problem is in the track or power pack.
To quickly test the power packs: you need 2 alegator clip wires and one 9" piece of straight track. Clip the wires to the track and to the power pack, put a loco on it. if it moves the the problem is the track wiring on your layout.
hope this helps
I think that there is a problem with the controler, I dont think that i wired anything wrong becasue my layout is very somple im going to contact the transformer company. If I still have the problem I’ll let you know.
Sounds like there might be a short somewhere.
Have you tried reading voltage at the transfo without anything connected to it?If you do have a short somewhere on your layout,you won’t read voltage at the transfo as the short protection kicks in and cuts power off upon detection of such a problem.
If you don’t get a reading(or test lamp “on”),then you have a defective transfo.I dont know about all transfos but it is possible that it has an internal fuse that’s blown.Read the unit’s manual to know if there is such a fuse inside.
i solved my problem it turns out i had a reverse loop like gsetter said previously, thanks everyone for you help.
I have a bit of a problem too.
I just got my set-up running, and I am using my old transformer. I used to use the transformer with my G setup and now I am using it with my N setup.
Basically, my throttle goes from 1-100, but I only go as high as 50, because that’s full power for my little locomotive.
The problem is when I want to go on the slower speeds I get a jerking motion. The engine slowes down then goes a little faster then slows down. I didn’t want to play around with this too much, because I didn’t want to ruin the engine on my little loco.
It runs like this from about 10 - 30, then 40 - 50 it runs smooth.
Do you think I simply need to go and get a new transformer? The one I am using now is about 10 years old, and spend a good 5 or so out in the shed…
Just wanted to know what everyone thought. (the locomotive and track is all new.)
It looks like it’s time for a newer control indeed.It was designed for high powered locos thus pushing higher voltage,and that explains why you can’t exceed 50% throttle,and after being used for some time dealing with higher amperage,it has lost some of it’s "fine increments"controlling feature.Add some wear to this plus being idle for a long time collecting dust and/or humidity,I’d guess it’s time for a new one.
You could try dismantling it and clean whatever contacts there’s within but I doubt it would solve the problem.About buying a new one…before you do…why not consider switching to DCC…just done that…and LOVE IT!!!
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I figured.
…that’s what I have to think about now is DCC, or No DCC…