I have a built up, pre DCC version of the Walthers HO scale 90' turntable. Up until a few months ago the indexing would "migrate" an eight to a quarter of an inch within a few weeks of my setting the stop positions. With the advice of a couple of respondents to my query at the time that problem seems to have gone away.
However, continuous AC power appears to be required. Two days ago we had a two hour power outage causing all of the indexing to disappear. Not so bad when caused by a power outage--we don't have that many. But I would like to cut all power to the layout when not in use. Any suggestions here of how to save the indexing when power to the turntable is turned off?
Buy a small computer UPS(Uninterruptible Power Supply) for about $40-60 and plug your turntable power supply into it. I have one rated fro about 32 minutes with a 180 VA computer attached - it should run for two hours or so with a small DC or AC load on it. Actually we are thinking about doing just this at the club, for the same reasons.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I have two 130' Walthers turntables yet to install. So, are we saying that every time I power off I have to reset both these turntables?
bsteel4065 I have two 130' Walthers turntables yet to install. So, are we saying that every time I power off I have to reset both these turntables?
You beat me to it. I was going to ask the same question.'
I always turn off power to the layout, and I have never lost the indexing.
I have the non-DCC version, so is there a quirk in the DCC version,, or is something wrong with the OP's unit?
Rich
Alton Junction
I have the 130' non DCC version and have turned power off for past 3 years and not had any problem with indexing. I did notice a couple of stalls not lining up last week though (most likely dust on gear) so I ran the home/zero function and it found the home position and all is good again. Love this turntable!
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Cheers Rich and Bob!
So, I take it that this post completely incorrect?
Thanks
Barry
bsteel4065 Cheers Rich and Bob! So, I take it that this post completely incorrect? Thanks Barry
Dunno, look forward to hearing back from the OP.
farrellaa I have the 130' non DCC version and have turned power off for past 3 years and not had any problem with indexing. I did notice a couple of stalls not lining up last week though (most likely dust on gear) so I ran the home/zero function and it found the home position and all is good again. Love this turntable! -Bob
Ditto. I have one of the first run of the built-up indexed TT's from Walthers, and routinely shut off all power to the layout, the TT included. I have never had the creep problem in the indexing, but I have had some unexplained stops as if the entire programme were suddenly switched 180 degrees. I have tried swapping bridge ends, but the problem persists. I usually just return the bridge to its apparent meant-to-be stopping point by lifting and setting it down carefully aligned. Power off, power on, and it seems to work okay. A mystery, and a bit unsettling of course, but otherwise it works very well for me. I haven't run mine in about 18 months now, and it won't be run for another two or three months at least while I finish the yard module.
Crandell
Per the installation instructions my turntable control box is powered with a stand alone wall wart. The track, of course, is powered through my DCC command station. I always turn off the track power (and everything else on the layout) but if I turn off the TT control box power, the indexing is lost.
skagitrailbird Per the installation instructions my turntable control box is powered with a stand alone wall wart. The track, of course, is powered through my DCC command station. I always turn off the track power (and everything else on the layout) but if I turn off the TT control box power, the indexing is lost.
Contact Walthers and tell them that if you turn off the power, indexing is lost and see what they say.
Let us know.
Yes contact Walthers and let us all know the response. If true, very disappointed. These TT's are not cheap and keeping them powered on all the time is not a good solution.... wasted energy, care for the planet etc,etc, etc............
I've e-mailed Walthers.... I'll let you know the response guys.
This isn't the first time I have read about this problem and mine was a little more unusual. When I first installed the TT I had the very same problem. In fact, I was constantly resetting the indexing and I got so I would just control it myself. Well, I moved the TT and the problem went away. I haven't run the layout too much this summer so I just turned everything on and the T working fine. There are a couple things that come to mind - when I moved the TT, I reset all the factory settings and started over. Also, the plug may not have been fully seated in the old location. Other than that, I have no clue but everything works fine.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
bsteel4065 I've e-mailed Walthers.... I'll let you know the response guys.
Call them.
They take forever to answer emails.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll call Walther's but probably not until late next week. Grandchildren are coming tomorrow for several days. Gettin' ready today. I'll post the results of the call.
I have pressed the ZERO button until the POWER light flashes, then released. The turntable begins to turn...and turn...and turn... . I suspect my control box is defective. Hopefully Walther's will be able to trouble shoot or replace it. Stay tuned.
I have received the following from Dennis Y at Walthers .........................
Mr. Steel,
The program indexing isn’t lost when you turn the power off. I repair the turn tables and you can rest assured indexing isn’t lost when the power is turned off.
bsteel4065 I have received the following from Dennis Y at Walthers ......................... Mr. Steel, The program indexing isn’t lost when you turn the power off. I repair the turn tables and you can rest assured indexing isn’t lost when the power is turned off.
And, that is what we all have been saying,
From the OP's most recent post, it is apparent that something is defective in that particular unit.
Yep! So that's the end of that one..................
Cheers Rich.
Progress report: A few days ago I finally had the time to reach a very helpful support fellow at Walthers. After running through several troubleshooting steps, he agreed with several of you that the unit is defective. The good news is that Walthers will replace it (no charge) with the upgraded DCC electronics (no earlier versions are available). The bad news is that I have to remove the TT from the layout and send it back. Now I am glad I don't yet have any scenery materials down. I only have to remove eight roundhouse/garden tracks and three lead tracks. I wish I had put the track feeders further away from the TT pit.
Thanks again for the many comments and suggestions.
So glad your problem is being fixed. Sent some scares amongst us with TT's we had yet to install. (Not cheap and we have waited a LONG time to finally get them.)
Hope it's fixed soon and all OK.
Best regards
Bsteel4065