Short Tester for HO

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I recently read a brief article on how to make your own track short tester for HO. It even gave me the list of items to buy from Radio Shack: (1) 12VDC Piezo Buzzer, (1) 9V battery snap connector, and (2) micro alligator clips. Then I realized I had tossed the article [red]<DOH!>.
I’m kinda in the dark here. Anyone out there seen this article or know how to tell me to put this tester together???

Thanks!!!

Ted Colucci, Rochester, NY

2

Ted;

For less $$ you can get a digital multimeter that will tell you awhole lot more.
See:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33499
while you are at, if you don’t have a pair of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47257

To make the buzzer described above, you will also need a 9V battery and some wire. This project does involve soldering. Get the stuff.

Check to see if the buzzer is polarity sensitive.
If it is, connect the + wire from the battery connector to the the + terminal on the buzzer, if it isn’t connect the + wire to one of the terminals on the buzzer…
Connect the - wire from the battery connector to one of the 'gat0r clips.
Cut a lenght of wire to suit, connect one end to the other terminal on the buzzer, connect the other end to the 2nd 'gator clip.
Now to test.
Make sure the two clips are not touching each other, or the same piece of metal.
Plug in the battery. Should be no sound.
Touch the two clips together, should buzz.
Remove the battery, tape up all the connections, put it in a box if you want.

3

i agree with nfmisso, buy a cheap digital multimeter from WALMART. I use a high dollar FLUKE, because i need it for my job.

4

Do the right thing. Buy your tester from your hobby shop or small electronics retailer. For only a couple of bucks more, you help to ensure there will BE a viable retail sector when you need and want one.
Happy New Year,
Mike[:)]

5

I assembled and use the little buzzer you are inquiring about. It works well. Here is the page I got the instructions from.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track.htm

Personally havent had a need for anytihng better.