Hi to all.
Recently installed the new Walters n scale 130' dcc turntable and appear to be experiencing inconsistent results with the turntable's operation (similar results occur whether I use the included control box or a dcc handset controller.)
The turntable programs new track positions OK, but on occasions it will completely miss a programmed position and stop at random positions. Interestingly, the problem is more evident when the turntable rotates clockwise. Have ensured all contacts are very clean, as the instructions suggest. Even tried a reset on a number of occasions.
If I do not connect dcc track (bridge/deck) power, the unit works fine. However, it seems when track power is connected, a "short" of some kind occurs as the bridge transits pasts the "no track power" zone. Even tried running the dcc track power function through an independent dcc circuit breaker.
Any ideas/suggestions as to a cause/cure would be very much appreciated. Thank you in anticipation.
Warmest regards, Chris (Australia)
Hi Chris
I have the HO scale 130'. I was having some contact problems to begin with. When they say to keep the contact surface clean they really mean it. I took a two inch square of 400 grit wet or dry sandpaper with some 70% alcohol and cleaned the contacts on the bottom of the post well and then applied the crc26 that they recommend, let it dry for a few hours, and then put it together. That took care of the contact issue. As far as the turntable forgetting where it is supposed to go, mine does that sometime,but not much. It seems if the sensor doesn't swing past the calibration point every few moves it looses track of its location. When it does that, I do a calibration and all is well. I also have a vacume cleaner by the layout , so I vacume the pit out regularly as the counting gear and teeth are quite sensative. all I can think of for your shorting problem is the outer contact feelers , which are the track power, might be too close to the feelers next to them, or on the contact post there might be a defect in the molding like a small piece of the copper is close to touching the other side of the split ring which would cause a short when it rotated past.
good luck,
Philip
I have had the Walthers 130' non-DCC HO scale turntable for several years now, but early on experienced some of the same problems as you on an intermittent basis.
I just think it is a quirk in the system, not a fatal design flaw or broken turntable in need of repair.
However, it was one of the reasons why I resorted to operating my turntable "manually" without resorting to the indexing feature.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi Philip and thank you for your reply and feedback.
I'll take your advice here and give the contacts another really good clean and CRC26 treatment. I'll also have a look at the "gap" on the split ring - perhaps it needs to have this gap widened very slightly, mindful that this will only make the "no track" zone that much wider. However, there are no tracks in this region, so it may be OK.
Have started installing the roundhouse stall tracks and approach tracks too, so we'll see how the unit's internal calibration and indexing holds up after a good clean. A small vacuum cleaner also lives close by too to keep the pit and gear ring spotless.
Notwithstanding a couple of "glitches" here, it's an impressive unit and certainly compliments the steam-era locos I'm running.
I'll update this thread in the near future.
Cheers from "Down Under", Chris (Australia)
Will take your advice and give the contact surfaces a really good clean.
Will have a look at the gaps on the split ring too - it may be worth widening this gap (very slightly though) to ensure that the internal polarity-reversing feature is not actually shorting out during this transition past the "no track zone".
Have started to add the approach and roundhouse stall tracks now, so it'll be interesting to see how this all goes.
Notwithstanding a few "glitches", it really is an impressive unit and certainly adds to the steam-era I'm modelling.
Many thanks for your thoughts.
Regards, Chris.