I hope this will be simple, here we go!
One of the screws on the front terminal where my power supply wires goes is stuck. My DB 150 has been having a over heating problem and will shut down when running say around 7 to 8 engines. I am guessing it is more to my poor wiring than anything.
Last night, it shut down again but this time I found one of the DB 150 power supply wires was lose.
So the questions is can I use oil to help get the screw broken free and not cause a problem when wire is reinstalled or should I use contact cleaner or both? I will have the power supply unplugged, that is a given!
Lets just worry about the screw for now, OK?
Ken
I hope it isn’t cross-threaded, Ken.
Maybe try holding an ice-cube to the head of the screw for about 30 seconds and then trying again. It may shrink just enough to help to get it unstuck. It would/should not hurt to try penetrating oil, but applied only with a toothpick…no spray!!
Crandell
CRC makes a product that freezes stuck bolts and screws without leaving an oil residue. Sorry I can’t remember the name of it right off
Ken,
Do you have a 1/4 inch ratchet?? I have one that will accept all screw driver heads… Sometimes,leverage,is the key…
Cheers,
Frank
Can this terminal block be removed by pulling on it? Many Digitrax units are like that.
If so. at least you will have a little more room and flexibility. Plus the added bonus of being able to buy a new one to replace it.
The screw is probably jammed. They may be captive so they won’t come out. A little oil might help, but be sure to clean it out afterwards, as it will only attract dust and cause electrical problems later.
If the wire was loose and it got hot it may have arced and spot welded it self to the threads. A little leverage might break it loose, just work t back and forth a few times to clear the spot on the screw. You have to check these wires every so often they seem to come to loose, did you tin them with solder or just put them in and tighten them down. They will work better tinned and the screws bite into them better for a better connection, Jim.
The terminal blocks are replaceable. They just pull out the front, the part with the screws is seperate from the part attached to the circuit board.
Most any Digitrax dealer should have them. Under $5.
–Randy
Hey Folks, thank you for all the answers! I will see in K-10 Model Train happens to have the terminal strip in stock Saturday. If they do, I will forces the screw and see if it will turn.
Randy, the terminal strip just pulls out, no screw or tabs?
For those that asked, yes I tinned the wires with solder.
Boy, it be sweat if the terminal strip was my power problem, but I am not holding my breath!
Thanks again, Ken
Ken, the terminal strip just pulls straight out from the face of the unit and pushes right back on. No screws or anything. I’d pay good money that you had some arcs going on at the loose connection and I’d also bet that fixing it will fix the overheat condition.
Dennis
Yeah, the terminal strip just pulls straight out the front. There are pins on the part that is attached to the circuit board that will be sticking out, the screw piece has the screws on top and sockets int he back that fit over the pins. There’s a little latch that holds it together, but there’s no release, it just pulls straight off.
I doubt that is why your DB150 overheats though. Has it been hot there like it is here? Is there adequate space around the heat sink for air to flow over it? Have you tested the voltage between Rail A and Ground, and Rail B and Ground - they should be nearly identical, unless you have address 00 set to some non-zero speed. If it’s way off, and address 00 is definitely not set, then likely one of the output transistors is blown. But you’d also notice that as reduced speeds on the trains.
–Randy
Randy what settings would I use on my meter to test the power output? I have one of the Harbor Freight specials.
Ken
I set my meter for AC, put one probe on Rail A and the other probe on Ground. I note the reading. I then move the Rail A probe to Rail B and note the reading there. On my DCS50 it reads 15v on both.
Randy and Jeffery, thank you for the answers. I will let you know what I find out.
Ken