System not workig

[LIONSAM]

Hi all,

I've just joined 2 ovals 40x60 lionel fastrack, used some other items 

2 Lionel 6-12018 FasTrack O-36 MANUAL SWITCH RH,  

2 Lionel 6-12017 FasTrack O-36 Manual Switch LH,

a few 6-12014 FasTrack 10" Straight Tracks, 

6-12020 FasTrack Uncoupling Track,

6 

-12029 FasTrack Accessory Activator Pack, 

2 terminal tracks, 

2 isolated tracks (brakes the same track side) and in between a 

6-12027 FasTrack 1

0" Insulated Track.

I have 2  CW40s supposed to operate what came in my Penn. Flyer  and Santa FE sets.

The CWs are operating, the 

Lighted Bumper 6-12035 lights on - the tracks probably have power - BUT 

The system doesnt work.

I put the trains on the tracks but nothing happens.

Please help

[lionelsoni]

I think you're going to have to tell us how all this stuff is put together and exactly what electrical terminals are connected to what.

[rtraincollector]

You say you have 2 transformers, My first thought could you have them wired back-wards to each other and if your not using any isolation track you only may want to start with one. also i would start with just a circle and hook one transformer to it and see what happens there and check each engine separate and it may sound belittling but not really trying to but make sure your trains are all on track correctly where the wheels are not off line and maybe shorting out also if it don't work also try swapping transformers. if theres a switch on the engine usually underneath the cab on those throw it the other direction as it might be locked in neutral. there a few things that it could be.

[LIONSAM]

Well I've tried all,

Started with just a circle and hooked one of the2 PowerMaxPlus transformers 40W (120V input) to it, at the beggining just the front light of the engine lighted on - NO MOVE at all-...what happened next ,smoke started coming out from the transformer so I've unplegged it immediately. 

Then hooked the other transformer to the circle and just the front light of the engine lighted on - NO MOVE at all...-  I've tried the other engine and happened exactly the same. No burning transformer this time but still NO MOVE. 

[rtraincollector]

its real hard to try and tell you whats going on over the web its like calling a grage and trying to eplain what your car is doing my best sugestion is to take engines and power packs to a dealer and have them test them.

other option is get a volt meter and see what type of volts are coming from your transformer. if to much it could be that i still think somehow your engines are locked in nuetral but your transformer smoking gets me to wondering if you don't have bad transformers seems to me there were some bad powermax transformers produced some years back also.  They would work for a while then die.

Wish bob nelson would chime in on this item

[lionelsoni]

I agree that the transformers are suspect.

[LIONSAM]

 

Hi, well I ' ve taken the 2 CW 40W Transformers, both engines and power packs to a dealer have them tested. Both Transformrs are off but can be fixed.

I decided to join the 2 40x60 ovals fastrack again.

Please give me some advice so to avoid any mistake. Do I have to follow the instructions of the Big Book of Lionel -CHAPTER 7 - on How to run two trains by dividing the ovals in Blocks and using ON/OFF switches and insulating fiber pins? 

How can I join the ovals in a safe way and ran 2 engines without making electrical damage to the transformers as well ?

 

[servoguy]

If you connect the transformers so that the transformers are connected together (red to red and black to black or, horrors, red to black and black to red) you are going to get more smoke, and it won't be from the engine.  Transformer outputs should never be connected together.  This is one of Bob Nelson's many pieces of advice about wiring blocks using multiple transformers.  It shouldn't be done.  A single transformer and switches will not create problems, assuming it is done correctly.

Bruce Baker

[rtraincollector]

If you want to run 2 loops and connect the loops and run the trains independent you need to one get a isolation piece of track to go between the 2 loops and I recommend a transformer that will run 2 or 4 trains at one time. running two isolated tracks and two transformers even if looks wired correct could be wired reverse there's some that have black and red backwards. doing what I suggest above will eliminate a lot of head aches