I have a built up, pre DCC version of the Walthers 90’ turntable. On two occasions I have programmed the bridge to stop at the several radial tracks leading to/from the pit. It works fine for a while but if left unused for a few weeks, it seems to lose sight of the targets. I have to clear all of the settings and re-program the indexing.
Does anybody else have this problem? Does anyone know the cause? Can the problem be eliminated? How? Reprogramming isn’t especially difficult but it is pesky.
I bought one of the new DCC 90’ turntables and it would not index at all. never mind some of the time.
it was still usable though, once you got used to lining up the rails by sight is would quite well. About a 70% accurracy rate, If i overshot the rail, a quick move back would usually line it up properly.
I did want the indexing feature to work properly, so when Walthers let me know when the parts would arrive (no replacement parts for the Turntable were available until Nov 2012) I sent my unit in for repair, still waiting for the uni to be repaired, layout sure looks empty without the Turntable in place.
I am informed by a few of the members of the local Model Railroad club that the Walthers turntables are prone to losing their settings after a short while and will need to be re programed on a regular basis.
Once again I forgot to mention the scale, which is HO.
I have followed the thread about not needing indexing but unfortunately, even though my turntable is fairly close to the layout edge for good viewing, the overall area is high enough that it is difficult to impossible ti line up the tracks by eye. I suppose the operator could stand on a step stool but I am afraid about someone either falling off of it or tripping over it.
The bottom line is that I need the indexing to work.
Mine seems to do the same thing from time to time. I finally decided that it needs to be run through a complete cycle of indexed positions which I will do everytime I turn on the power. It’s a pain but less of a pain that lining everything up again and again.
That is a pain, and that is what I wound up up doing with my Walthers 130’ indexed turntable. It was a real pain because I had set 14 indexed positions.
I finally cleared all of the indexed positions, and now I just align the positions manually. It works just fine and, quite frankly, it is a lot faster since I no longer have to wait as it stops at each indexed position.
Rich
Although I could line up the track by eye, I did send the turntable bridge and controller back to Walthers to fix the indexing feature. For what I paid for it I want it to work as advertised that that means to properly index.
Will see how it works once it comes back from Walthers,
It sure is taking them a while to locate my turntable though, seems to have been misplaced.
don7,
How frustrating! They misplaced your turntable? They should be sending you a new one.
Please let me know how it works if/when you get it back.
I really miss not having the turntable. The yard looks weird having the roundhouse and no turntable in the pit.
I used to start my operating sessions by selecting one of the engines out of the roundhouse and running it. Later I would select another engine or two and would end the session by taking one of the engines I had been operating and running it to the roundhouse for servicing.
Now I just start in the yard, really miss accessing the roundhouse.
I will send a “what’s up” to Walthers and see if they have any news for me.
It’s pretty early as I read this so maybe I missed it. Have you tried the ‘zero’ button now and then to keep things in alignment? I’ve noticed my 90 footer will start to get a bit off but pressing this button and letting it automatically realign itself seems to cure the problem.
Mine is the non dcc version.
Jarrell
Jarrell,
Thanks for the tip. I just re-read the instructions and found that I had overlooked that. The TT is behaving at the moment but the next time it is out of alignment, I give the zero button a try.
Roger
Jacon 12,
It happened again. After re-indexing my turntable a couple of weeks ago, I went to use it last night and the indexing had moved about 40 degrees. I have three tracks leading to the turntable in 10 degree increments. On the far side of the turntable I have nine radial tracks, also at 10 degree intervals, the center three of which line up with the three lead tracks. Thus, I have18 programmed stops–one for each end of the TT bridge to stop at each of the nine radial tracks.
What causes the shifting index points? I tried pressing the zero button but it didn’t seem to do anything. When is it to be pressed? While the TT bridge is moving? When it is at a stop, even if it is not lined up with any track? When it is manually stopped at a track?
Any tips from anyone will be appreciated.
The zero button can be used at any time the tt is NOT in motion already. Press the button and hold it a couple of seconds and release it. The tt should then move on it’s own to line up with the small sensor that is located on the wall of the tt pit and will automatically stop when it has done so. Then the tt should be properly indexed to stop at your preset positions, i.e. the radial tracks when you press one of the two arrow buttons (clockwise, counter clockwise)
If if will not automatically do the above it’s time for a call to Walthers. About once a month I zero mine just to keep things in proper alignment.
Our club 130’ turntable seems to have lost all of it’s indexing again. I plan to clean the contacts again and ‘zero’ it. If that fails, I have a ‘working’ bridge to swap for P/D. I am looking to get a new power supply as the club is using an old Tyco power pack for the turntable power. I think that may be part of the issue. If I get it running, then a new wall wart PS is in order - Otherwise, a call to Walthers and send it in for service.
Jim
Jacon 12,
Thanks for your clear instructions. Unfortunately, when I press the zero button for a couple of seconds, the bridge begins to turn but never stops until I press one of the direction buttons. I guess it’s time to call Walthers. Oh, joy!
Roger, I’m assuming there is nothing… such as a piece of tape, covering the sensor. Right? The reason I ask is that, trying to remember when, 3 or 4 years ago I installed mine, the instructions said to cover the sensor when setting up the TT.
It’s been a while and maybe I have that wrong.
Nope, the sensor is clear. I sent an email to Walther’s customer service department today. We’ll see what they have to say. Stay tuned…
I hope that yours comes back.I have been waiting for mine since I sent it in the end of November.
It seems that my bridge and controller unit is no where to be found at Walthers. I was sending notes to Walthers for a while, but now they have stopped responding and want the tracking numbers.
I forgot to stress to the fellow who took them to the post office and mailed them for me to bring back the receipt for tracking. Without my receipt I am out of luck. Once he had paid to send the parcel and the postal worker took the package he left and did not think of getting a receipt
It was just before Christmas and the post office was a mad house and the poor guy spent over an hour in line to do me a favour by mailing it for me. I do not go out much in the winter as I am a bit of a clutz and have not managed to keep my balance on ice or slush. So I did not mail it myself.
AFter spending an hour in line to post, I most likely would have left with out a receipt my self once the package was paid for, He mentioned that he had the exact change for the parcel.
One of the fellows at the local model railroad club is giving me his old Walthers 90 turntable which came as a kit. Apparently it was working great, no power, just turn by hand. I is supposed to be easy to line up.
I can not afford to buy another of the Walthers built up truntable sets until the fall at the earliest so will make do with the manual bridge. AT long last I will be able to till the big hole in the yard.
Don, that is awful. What a horror story.
Remind us, which Walthers turntable do you own? The 90’ or 130’ ? The DCC version?
Did you send in the entire turntable or just the bridge?
Rich