E-unit burn out

[ejm50]

Recently I constructed a new layout and bought a used ZW transformer.  The common with the A power doesn't work so I used the B common with the A power.  Two of my engines that were running all of a sudden wouldn't start and they just sit there in neutral.  Did I burn out the e-units?????

[Stourbridge Lion]

ejm50- Welcome to trains.com!

[MisterBeasley]

You'd be better off posting on the Classic Toy Trains forum.  The Lionel guys mostly hang out over there.

Many of us here are "reformed" Lionel guys, now modeling in HO or N scale. 

[phillyreading]

The common for all four terminal posts on a ZW are joined together inside the transformer by a copper strip, so you should be safe. Try to move the silver lever on your engine to a differant position and see what happens. DON'T put two of the A to D terminals together, you get too much power, or double voltage. Use one A to D and one U or common terminal for all track & accessory power.

[cwburfle]

It is very unlikely that you've done any damage to your e- unit. As has already been posted, just make certain the e-unit lever (switch) is in the correct position.

Once again, as has already been posted, all four terminals on the top row (U) are connected together. It is not uncommon for more than one of the terminals to break away from it's power bar. You may be continuing to have problems because you have moved the wire from a "U" terminal that was completely disconnected to  another "U" terminal that has an intermittent connection.

(don"t overtighten those binding post nuts, doing so contributes to the problem)

An experienced Lionel train repair person can replace any bad terminals without any difficulty.

[lionelsoni]

Connecting the A and D terminals together will not give you "too much power" or "double voltage".  It will give you a large fault current that can easily destroy your transformer, regardless of whatever problems you have with the U terminals.

[EIS2]

I assume you are talking about the older mechanical e-units rather then the modern electronic e-units.  The best way to troubleshoot the issue is to remove the engine shell and observe the e-unit operation.  Make sure the e-unit lever is in the proper position to power the coil.  The drum should move 1/4 revolution with every application of power.  Sometimes the pawl doesn't drop due to either friction or a mechanical restriction.  Sometimes the e-unit doesn't rotate due to either excess friction or worn teeth on the drum.  The most likely causes of e-unit problems are a dirty drum, dirty contacts, or the e-unit fingers not touching the drum.

Good Luck...

Earl

[lionelsoni]

The drum turns 1/8 of a revolution each time, not 1/4.