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Lionel 97C Controller Woes

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  • Member since
    December 2017
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Lionel 97C Controller Woes
Posted by golden lover on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 10:44 AM

Does anyone know how a Lionel 97C controller, used for the Lumber Mill accessory, is properly put together inside? I decided to replace the cruncy wires on mine and took the screws out to get insdie and solder new wires. I did not record disassembly, which I should have since I thought I would get right on the project and finish it but the controller has sat on my work bench for over a year and I have since forgotten how it goes back together.  Thanks for any help you can give me. The Greenberg repair manul does not show much. Steve

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Posted by cwburfle on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 12:28 PM

Do you mean a postwar 464 saw mill?
If so, it came with a 364C, which is a slide style on-off switch.



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Posted by golden lover on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 1:41 PM

cwburfle,  My controller is a 97C-2 based on the embossed numbering on the inside of the cover.  The off/on is on the left outside of the cover.  Thanks, Steve

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Posted by teledoc on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 4:05 PM

If you have a Greenberg Service Manual, or can find a copy, the sketchy wiring can be found attached to the Lionel 164 Log Loader, on the second page.  Another option is to contact Jeff Kane (Toytraintender.com), who has reprod 97C controllers for $19.50, or ask him how it is wired.  Jeff is very helpful with questions, and can probably explain it to you over the phone. (585) 229-2050 phone number.

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Posted by BigAl 956 on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 11:00 AM

I think your description is confusing people. You have a #164 Log Loader? The controller has 1 button and a dial. The dial is on/off. the button trips the load.

Someone posted a schemaitc here. https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/97c-controller-questions

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Posted by golden lover on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 11:33 AM

Thanks for the reply and I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.  My only issue is with how to put the remote control back together properly.  What I have is a typical sized remote controller, the same size as the ones used for uncoupling/ unloading tracks.  The controller I am asking about has embossed letters on the inside as follows: RCS-C22 and 97C-2. It has an on/off dial on the left side of the top of the controller and a red button for "unload" on the right side of the top. The controller has a 3-wire hook-up.  One wire is soldered to a thin metal layer via a solder lug, the second wire goes to another thin metal layer via a solder lug and the third wire is soldered to a thin brass layer via a solder lug which fits around the bottom end of the dial and button.  There are three square pieces of plastic that appear to fit between all three layers probably for insulating them from one another.  I need a schmatic or drawing of the inside of this controller.  Thank you for your patience.  Steve

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Posted by teledoc on Friday, March 2, 2018 3:21 PM

I don’t know if you have a Service Manual or not, but look up the RCS controller, and it shows the layers of the solder tabs & the insulators, in their proper order.  If that is what is holding you up.  Presuming you know which wire goes to which tab.

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Posted by BigAl 956 on Friday, March 2, 2018 3:54 PM
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Posted by golden lover on Friday, March 2, 2018 4:27 PM

BigAl 956

Yes but I put it on E Bay.  It had the 97C controller which got left behind.  After contacting the buyer he said he had one and did not want it.  That is why I have the controller! When I disassembled the controller to replace the crunchy wires but did not get back to the project and that is when the trouble began. I checked out your link and saw the diagram.  Thanks. Steve

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