hey guys. I just got what looks like a pretty new/un-used MRC Controlmaster 20 walk-around throttle at a train show today. It was such a stupid steal of a price that I didn't think to test it out there.... ($35). Anyway, i took it home and hooked it up to my layout, and it doesn't work.
However, when I plug it in, and turn it on, i can hear it humming inside. The indicator light does not come on, though. BUT, on the throttle, when you put the momentum on, a green light is supposed to come on, and that does come on. It goes off when I unplug the throttle from the main station, so thats how I know power is coming through.
The weird thing though is that every time I change the direction on the throttle, I hear a click come from in the main station.
The manual says that the indicator light wont come on if theres a short inside, but I hooked the track bus back up to my original MRC and it ran fine.
Did something get knocked loose? Should I call MRC themselves? I did everything I was supposed to do with starting it up, afaik.
any help would be AWESOME
The CM20 uses a relay to switch directions. That would be the click you hear.
The light on the base unit should vary with the voltage being sent out. The one I used to use had the fan die on it, but I never got close to it's rating, so I didn't worry about it.
Call MRC, see if they can help you.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
yeah i know that the light is supposed to change with the throttle, but it doesn't come on whatsoever, even when I have the throttle at full power.
Do you think it could just be a broken solder joint in there? i mean, its getting power to the throttle, so its not dead....
I'm with WSOR. You should contact MRC. I'm not a fan of their DCC stuff, but their DC power packs have a very good reputation so the odds are they'll help you out. Only if they don't, would I even consider looking for the problem myself.
yeah word, alright. i just need to get some time to call.
I also just realized that the fan doesn't turn on, either, when I turn the power on. Also, when i throw the power switch, I hear like... sort of like an old TV turning on kind of sound.
Do you think this is a bunk unit?
Ahhhhhh its fixed now. I emailed MRC about it, and they told me that there is supposed to be something bridging terminals 3 and 4, for an ammeter i think. There wasn't anythign there, so i hooked a wire up to them, and viola.
Weird, though, that you can't start from 0mph with the momentum switch on; you have to be moving, and THEN turn it on.
That doesn't sound right. We had one of those at the club I used to belong to, and you could start from a dead stop with the momentum turned on.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
DeadheadGreg...Weird, though, that you can't start from 0mph with the momentum switch on; you have to be moving, and THEN turn it on.
Are you givnig it eough time? I don't have a Control Master 20, but I do have another MRC power pack that has momentum. If I have the throttle turned all the way down and turn on the momentum, when I turn the throttle up, at first it does not appear to be working because the engine will just sit there. What is happening is the voltage is slowly rising and the engine will not move until the voltage gets high enouugh to move it.
I don't have a control master either, but I do have a Tech II Locomotion series controler that I used to use when I first got into the hobby. It does take time for the locomotive to start, and you shouldn't use that feature unless you have a lot of track, and never with a Broadway Limited Blueline Loco. (They have that feature built in, and it takes less time.)
I *DO* have a Control Master 20, somewhere I might even have the documentation for it. Anyway, the momentum does (or should) work from 0 volts. It will, however, take a moment or so for the voltage to come up enough to start a train moving. Personally, I never use it, I control the voltage myself slowly. Any questions feel free to ask or email.
Brad
EMD - Every Model Different
ALCO - Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
CSX - Coal Spilling eXperts