HELP! Lionel Nickel Plate Road Transformer

[Penny Trains]

rrswede

Penny, that is a 4090

Ooops!  Got my digit inverted! 

[sir james I]

I assume by the original post above he is working with a simple oval.

[lionelsoni]

I don't know how much track is involved here; but when it's a lot, a "binary search" can be faster than trying each piece individually.  Just divide the total track into two approximately equal sections and test one of them to see which one has the fault.  Then subdivide that section, and so on.  For example, a short circuit in a 32-piece track can be found in 4 tests.

[sir james I]

If the transformer is clicking on/off you have a short somewhere. Start by checking the track. Pull them away from the lockon section and add one piece at a time with the track power on.

[lionelsoni]

Here's the user manual: https://www.lionelsupport.com/media/servicedocuments/70-4060-250.pdf

It has a 7-19 volt RMS AC output and a 6-17 volt DC output, which is apparently just the full-wave-rectified AC output.  There is a switch for reversing the DC polarity.

The locomotive has a can motor and an electronic e-unit.  It should run on either AC or DC.

[rrswede]

Penny, that is a 4090. I think the one he has is like in the attached link.

https://marketplace.trainzauctions.com/offer/details/Lionel-6-4060-Ac%25Dc-Transformer-146357

swede

[Penny Trains]

aboard!

Looks like this?

I found the manual in pdf: https://www.lionelsupport.com/media/servicedocuments/70-4090-250.pdf

 

[rrswede]

First off, bambino, welcome to this forum.

I am not familiar with either the locomotive or transformer but since you indicate the transformer clicks and only clicks, I believe an electrical short is present. The circuit breaker inside the transformer shell is opening (click) because of the short, closing (click) when the circuit breaker resets, opens (click) when it senses the short, etc.

The short could be internal to the transformer but I suggest you take a close look at your wiring and track layout. Verify the two wires from the transformer are not touching someplace and also that there is no metal connection between the center rail and either of the outer rails.

swede

[bambino]

I apologize if I am posting incorrectly, but I need help. I have a 1988 Lionel 8617 Engine, Nickel Plate Road train set. I have held on to it forever and my son is now obsessed with trains. I am trying to run this thing and the 6-4060 ac/dc transformer just keeps clicking and no movement. When I first set it up the train was running backwards and I was trying to fix it and now I get nothing. Any suggestions? Appreciate it!