His last post says his issue is solved.
Springfield PA
I would send them the module as well and let them test both before they send you another replacement, that way if it fails again it'll be on their dime and maybe they can then figure out what's wrong.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
That was pretty quick. 3 replacements in a couple of weeks.
Glad to hear you got it running. Any pics?
Finally got the problem solved and it looks like there were two conditions affecting the operation - I had cut a very narrow slot in the facade of my Walthers Silver Springs Terminal and I noticed that when I put the newest sign in the slot it didn't work right so I widened the slot so the sign had plenty of clearance on both sides and attached it at the bottom with hot glue (didn't use any CA glue) so I think it was a comination of the CA glue possibly getting on the contacts AND the narrow slot compressing the two sides of the sign together too much. This sign is a little unique in that it is two sided. Anyway, its in and working just fine. I can't say enough good things about Miller Engineering and their rep Chris - they were very helpful and worked with me until the problem was resolved, actually replaced the sign three times. Good customer service is still alive and well.
You say the bus station sign is animated - are any of the other signs on your layout animated as well ? The flasher controller on the circuit board requires a pure source for power (like batteries). Your wall-wart may not be filtered and is messing with the flashers circuitry.
Did you try plugging the bus station sign into a non-animated output just to see if it would still illuminate ?
I can't find any of the instructions from the ones I have, but I do recall reading against using certain types of paints and adhesives on them.
Your best bet is to tell the folks at Miller Eng EXACTLY what you are doing, including the exact specifications of your power source, glues, paint, anything that may contribute to the problem.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I don´t have that sign but some other Miller billboards. All of them has worked flawlessly except for one of them, a theather marquee. It had been working alright until a week ago when it all but died on me...
I had glued it to a substructure that had a gentle curve (as in the instructions), I used CA glue.
When inspected, it had delaminated on the edges (probably due to the glue or the curve or a combination of both).
After a mail to Miller, they just posted a replacement sign (lucky for me, as I had it as a gift from my wife...).
Kudos to Miller Engineering for the super customer service they have!!
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
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dadretMiller is going to send me another sign and a new module to see if this fixes the problem.
This time check the sign operation with the batteries before and after installation. Then hook it up to your module and see if it still operates.
So did they charge you for another sign?
I would try an alternative glue. Maybe some testors plastics glue. But still have to be careful with those contacts.
Good luck, and report back when you get the new sign.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Thanks for all the input. Miller is going to send me another sign and a new module to see if this fixes the problem. I'm just about convinced that the super glue is the problem and that it somehow got onto the contacts and when I hooked it up to a power supply it fried the electronics. In fact it looks like it probably did it twice and I just didn't make the connection between the two the first time. Miller should probably include a warning not to use super glue, at least noplace where it could attack the contacts. The glue I used contains a warning not to use on "polyethylene and polypropylene plastics" but I don't really know what the signs are made of. It does look like there might be a slight discoloration of the sign where it is attached to my structure and this may indicate a problem. Miller makes great products and they are really helpful and good people to work with as some of you have mentioned.
MotleyI used superglue on mine, it works fine. In fact, when I first called them when I got my sign, I was asking how to glue the aluminum support frame to the sign. They said to use superglue. But they explicity said if you get glue on the contacts then it will permamently damage the sign.I bet you got a bit of superglue on those contacts.
I used superglue on mine, it works fine. In fact, when I first called them when I got my sign, I was asking how to glue the aluminum support frame to the sign. They said to use superglue. But they explicity said if you get glue on the contacts then it will permamently damage the sign.
I bet you got a bit of superglue on those contacts.
Time to get out the magnifying glass and do a close visual inspection, even the fumes of that stuff can reek havoc try some time and see what it can do to a piece of extruded foam.
I didn't see anything on their website warning against it. Has anyone else?
Those Miller Engineering signs are on an extremely thin substrate that can be dissolved by Super Glue. The use of Super Glue has probably destroyed all of the ones you've been installing.
No it no longer works with the batteries either.
The fumes from super glue (CA) will etch some material. Super glue windows in a caboose and in no time the "glass" will be fogged. You may have a edge connector problem due to the glue.
Does it still work with the batteries?
The module is connected to a wall wart with 9VDC output through a pair of Atlas Connectors (on-off switches) and the individual signs connected to the connectors terminals, a set up that has worked fine for a long time. I did disconnect some of the other signs but the bus sign still will not work - does not light at all.
Probably not. Can you try just the failing sign alone on the module? Disconnect the others. It's possible you hit the limit of the supply.
I have this sign along with five other Miller signs connected to Miller's #4804 Converter Module - the other five work fine and have for two or three years so I don't think the power supply is a problem. I secured the sign to my building with super glue (CA) - could this be causing a problem?
It still might be the problem.
The actual sign uses 4.5 volts DC. If the batteries worked than the issue would probably be the power source. What is the input voltage to the module?
Edit: Also what is the current rating of the transformer powering the module. He has 4 signs and the module can do up to 6, however the transformer has to be large enough.
HamltnblueLooking at the site it should be 4.5volts DC. Not AC.
Site says input to module 5 to 17 volts, AC or DC. http://www.microstru.com/Billboards.html He said he was using the 4804 convertor module.
Have you checked the voltage output value of the module, and made sure that you have the correct input voltage to the module? Maybe the module is at fault, and not the sign, especially since the sign(s) seem to work okay when tested with a battery.
If it worked with batteries, maybe the problem is with your adapter. What did you use as an AC adapter includig specs. Looking at the site it should be 4.5volts DC. Not AC. AC would probably damage it. I have one of their pabst signs and it works great with a radio shack supply.
I haven't talked to them about my most recent experience today but they are aware of the past problems - thought I'd see if anyone on here had any ideas first
When you spoke to the Miller people did you happen to discuss with them the problem you're having? Just asking.
I bought a Miller Engineering animated bus station sign (Kit #5882) a couple of months ago and it worked fine out of the box using batteries. I installed it on my Walthers Silver Springs bus termininal by cutting a slot in the roof of the building and then hooked it up to an AC supply though the Miller 4804 module (I have four other Miller signs connected to this module). When I turned it on only one side of the two sided sign worked so I returned it to Miller and they replaced the sign only. I got the replacement, tested it again with the battery pack, it was OK but when I installed it on my structure it worked erratically for a while and then quit working at all. I played around with it but to no avail so I returned the whole kit to Miller, they said I damaged it (which is possible) so they sent me a replacement and I paid the replacement charge. Again, I tested this kit using the batteries and it wokred fine. I removed the battery holder and installed it again with the same result - it worked erratically for a while and then quit completely. I was very careful not to damage it but I can't figure out what if anything I'm doing wrong. Any ideas? I could use some help. I've used Miller products for sometime and they are normally very reliable.