Hello again to all who assisted me before regarding my transformer questions....I ordered and received my ZW transformer and I love it! My main question is, I still seem to be having an issue with my Area 51 locomotive when running it, even by itself, and you hit the bell button, it brings the train to almost a complete stop even though I am not reducing the power on it. It's almost like a power drain and then it will accelerate back up to speed after the bell button is released. It does not do this when we press the whistle button. I have also noticed that it will not go in reverse, even when the switch on the bottom is turned to on. I have obviously come to the conclusion that it is now a problem with the locomotive and not power issue. (but I am still happy that I bought the bigger transformer!) I guess my question is, has anyone else come across this problem and if so, is it something easy fixed or do I need to find a service center (none that are close to me, I already checked) to send it to? The locomotive runs fine as long as you don't try to to hit the bell button or need it to go in reverse.
It should be easy to figure out whether it is the transformer or the locomotive: Swap the connections to the track. This should swap the bell and whistle functions. If the bell rings when you push the whistle button, but the train stops when you push the bell button, then the problem is in the transformer; if the whistle blows when you push the bell button, but the train stops when you push the whistle button, then the problem is in the locomotive.
If you have multiple blocks or any accessories wired up, it would be best to do this test on a separate, isolated track, with only that track connected to the transformer.
Bob Nelson
Misty, Do the lights on the transformer change (indicating a short?) when the Area 51 engine slows down? If they do then it is definately the engine (ie the engine sound circuit has a parrallel resistance to ground). If the lights do not change then it could be either the engine or transformer.
That said...since you have had this problem with other transformers....I would not run this engine any more before having a service center check it out. You might damage the engine further or damage the transformer (although unlikely). Also, I assume you are doing this test with no other cars on the track to isolate the problem component. One other idea for the brave is to pop off the shell and make sure all the wires are attached and secure on this engine. It sounds as if you may have a loose connection (or two).
Or it might be cheaper to just get a new engine on ebay (not sure how much this one cost or if it is under warranty).
Jim H
jimhaleyscomet wrote: Misty, Do the lights on the transformer change (indicating a short?) when the Area 51 engine slows down? If they do then it is definately the engine (ie the engine sound circuit has a parrallel resistance to ground). If the lights do not change then it could be either the engine or transformer. That said...since you have had this problem with other transformers....I would not run this engine any more before having a service center check it out. You might damage the engine further or damage the transformer (although unlikely). Also, I assume you are doing this test with no other cars on the track to isolate the problem component. One other idea for the brave is to pop off the shell and make sure all the wires are attached and secure on this engine. It sounds as if you may have a loose connection (or two). Or it might be cheaper to just get a new engine on ebay (not sure how much this one cost or if it is under warranty). Jim H
I have taken the shell off to look at the wiring, it appears that everything is ok, I made sure that the wires are all connected. There were a few loose ones and after I tightened them up, when I'm running the train and pressing the bell button, there is a slight drop of power, nothing like it was before. It still does not have reverse, even when I turn the button on. When I switch directions, it stops the train and then will continue going forward after I release the button. This has now become a puzzle to me that I am determined to figure out. My first question regarding the reverse, where the on/off button connects to the wiring, it has 3 prongs for wires to connect to however only 2 prongs are connected to any wires. Should the 3rd prong have a wire connected? It's difficult to explain without showing a picture of exactly what I'm talking about....however there are no wires that are hanging free so I'm inclined to believe that it's not supposed to be connected but just checking to make sure..
Misty,
Perhaps someone else can help more on what is inside. You are beyond my level once making sure all wires are tight and hooked up. It does seem that you have fixed the power drop/bell problem. I would not be surprised to see a slight drop in power when activating a bell. Does this unit have a bell?
The engine stops whenever you hit the reverse button and that is normal. Actually, whenever you hit the reverse button the transformer cuts all power to the track (to trip the e unit) no matter what engine you are running. As long as you hold down the button the engine will stop. It sure sounds like a problem with your E-unit.
One other thing to confirm....add a lighted car to the track and make sure it still does not reverse the engine. It should not make a difference on the new ZW but on other transformers it has been known to make a difference.
I would check extra careful for an unconnected wire. Or perhaps they left one off at the factory. I assume this does have reverse and that the on/off switch is not for something else.
One other thing. Many of us choose to only run in one direction (especially when running through blocks that cycle the power on and off). Before I spent a ton of money fixing this engine I would consider having this engine run in forward only. Lionel actually sold cheaper engines that had forward only operation.
P.S.S.
If I were going to spend $100 more on something....instead of making this one loco reverse, I would put it toward a $100 TMCC remote/command base so I could have remote control of all my conventional engines via my new ZW.
I don't believe this engine has a bell on it, at least not one that sounds! I plan on lubing it up and just letting my son play with it to pull his Area 51 cars...it runs fine forward and he usually has me turn off the reverse function anyhow. It was more or less just trying to figure the thing out for my own sake....I have to keep telling myself that this really is HIS train set....I just get to play with it when he goes to school...Now, I on working on hooking up the lights and working all the electrical for that. I kinda learn as I go which I have more fun with anyway!
jimhaleyscomet wrote: P.S.S.If I were going to spend $100 more on something....instead of making this one loco reverse, I would put it toward a $100 TMCC remote/command base so I could have remote control of all my conventional engines via my new ZW. Jim H
And yes, I've been reading up on the TMCC set up...that will probably be the next bigger investment we make for it. It's a little ways down the road, once we expand the layout when we finish remodeling the garage into the den/train room...I think my husband is catching the bug now!
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