Ok, my DCC system just quit. The only issue that I had been having, was where the plug from the power supply plugged into the back of the command station. It seemed a little loose. This is an older unit completely out of warranty. Does anyone have any experience with sending a unit back to MRC for repair? If they do this, how do I do it? Is it more expensive then going ahead and buying a new unit? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you
the power input on the command station -might- have come loose …
check the power supply for voltage, if okay then dis-assemble command station and look at the power input
This is noit normally something that happens to a device that is plugged in and remains plugged in (on something like a laptop computer it can be a frequent occurance) but it is possible that the input jack came loose. If the board itself inside the unit is not broken, it’s a fairly easy fix to resolder the power jack to the board. If the board has actually cracked, it may still be possible for a DIY repair but finding a way to secure the jack will be difficult.
–Randy
My Prodigy is also old (2005) and the plug has always felt a bit loose. I constantly plug and unplug the power and output connectors and never had a problem. I leave the power supply in my control panel and bring the controller to my work bench when I’m working on DCC stuff, been doing that since I bought it.
I take it that you have checked the power supply, its green LED is on and you have 15 volts DC at the connector and when plugged in to the controller no green power LED on the controller with the power switch on.
Because it’s out of warranty I would make an attempt to fix it before returning it to MRC for repairs. The housing has four Phillips screws, if the connector has come loose and it looks like you can solder it back give it a try. If that works then glue it to the board with a strong epoxy (make sure it is aligned with the hole) before putting it back in the housing.
Mel
This is really strange! The green LED on the power supply lights up, the handheld comes to life, but the green “on” LED, on the command station, doesn’t light and I get no response from a locomotive when I try to use the handheld??? So I’m getting power to the handheld throttle, but nothing to the track??
Test the track with a multimeter, or even a bulb and a couple of wires. See if you have track power.
Multimeter would better, as it would show you how much power.
Mike.
The green LED on the controller is powered from the electronic fuse and flashes with track problems. Pull the green plug going to the track and see if the LED will light up. Check to make sure you have the track connected to the track terminals, the programming terminals do not have full track voltage on them.
As mentioned above check for track voltage. With you’re track disconnected it should have about 15 volts AC on the track terminals.
If you don’t have voltage on the track terminals and the handheld controller looks to be working its broke.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
I have no voltage to the track[:(] Handheld has power. Guess I’m sending it in. Calling MRC today.
Keep us posted please.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.