Bad Menards Day

That was a bad day at the layout

I power my Menards buildings with a DC transformer, that way I can control the amount of voltage. The wall wort from Menards keeps the lights and signs too bright for me. 

Panther97 posted:

I really had a bad day with my items from Menards.  I was running my trains early today and noticed the Red Owl sign is no longer working.   It was working fine yesterday and I did not touch it.   Not a big deal...I can live without it.  Although, that was a selling point on the store for me.   A few minutes later I noticed my other Menards buildings were not working.   After a little investigation, it looks like my 4.5 3-outlet adapter no longer works.   Lastly, the electronics on the Maintenance Shed I just purchased are fried as well.    Is it possible the adapter went bad and friend my Maintenance Shed?  Is the 3-outlet adapter too much power for the Maintenance shed?  It's listed as an optional accessory under the Maintenance Shed on the website.  I'm really bummed out.  I love each of these items and they both went bad within a couple of months.  Ugh.

The 3-outlet adapter is not too much power. The voltage spec is correct and the 2000 mA rating is a maximum output based on the draw of what you hook up to it. It is likely not a regulated power supply for the price, so it is possible it supplied over-voltage. Have you plugged the original power supplies back into each building to see what still works? Since you were using a Menards adapter, I would ask them to make it right on whatever burned out.

George 

I know nothing about electronics etc. but I'm wondering if the problem isn't the buildings, but the quality of the adaptors, especially the 3 tail ones! There is another thread about problems with the hobby shop, the newest release and the adaptors! I am currently using a 3 tail and having no problems but it is an older model from Menards. The good thing is that Mark will do everything he can to get this figured out! That I know! Just a thought!

My Menards Red Owl store was replaced with a new one because of the sign not lighting or flashing. How many more are dead out there?

play trains posted:

I know nothing about electronics etc. but I'm wondering if the problem isn't the buildings, but the quality of the adaptors, especially the 3 tail ones! There is another thread about problems with the hobby shop, the newest release and the adaptors! I am currently using a 3 tail and having no problems but it is an older model from Menards. The good thing is that Mark will do everything he can to get this figured out! That I know! Just a thought!

That's my theory as well.  I wasn't trying to bash their product as I like them a lot.  Just wanted to see if anyone else had issues with the adapter.  I missed the other thread.  I'll check it out.

Plugged the Red Owl in couple days ago  to the  3 output. It worked correctly for about 20 sec then vents stopped turning. Took it back to exchange but the one on the shelf the sign does not light. Decided to keep the one I have hopefully the sign continues to work as that is my favorite part. You can hear motor trying to turn vents so I will disconnect it. I love there stuff so much just wish it was better quality. Still having dead shorts creep up from track I laid. Very disheartening every time I have to find the short and not play. 

MF J imports a 30 amp power supply where you can reduce down the votlage for DC.  They sell for 90.00 plus shipping on their website.  A ham radio store might have them. I find they work well for radios.  They do have good metres on them, so youcan get the output you need.  A second one could also work for LionChief trains.

It might be worth it to place a fuse in the powerline to the building.

I would look for a regulated multi tap power supply with 4.5v outputs that can support about 750ma load per output. I made one recently with an old laptop power pack and some DC - DC isolated power converters I found on eBay.

Do you know what the adaptor part # is you used? Menards had an original 3-wire adaptor that was discontinued - then they issued a new one from a different supplier. There was talk that the original had an unregulated voltage output - though I am not versed enough with electronics to know whether that could be the problem. Ray from Menards said the original adaptors are fine, but its worth the time to check what adaptor you were using.

Saw this thread pop up here. You all may want to take a Gander at this Thread:

https://ogrforum.com/t...-shop-is-back?page=1

I had problems with the Adapters and my research is quite interesting. There may be a problem with the Adapters Menards is selling having too high a voltage out put. You should use a Multi-Meter and Check the Voltage output of your adapters. Several I checked were putting out 10 VDC. Which is way more than what the buildings are built for. When I purchased an adapter from another source, which was putting out the correct voltage, my Hobby Shop worked fine.

I have sent a note to Menards on Saturday. Am awaiting a response when the Holidays are over.

There is another current thread where OGR Forum member Greenrail discovered his Menards power supplies were putting out too much voltage -- between 7.5 and 10 volts. It spoiled two of his Menards hobby shop buildings. I was leery at first, but I think he convinced me, and your problem reinforces his claim. It's likely a production run of new adapters that's the problem. Hopefully, Menards will look into the issue.

Here's the thread. The power supply discussion begins about halfway down the first page:

https://ogrforum.com/t...58#70552247115463358

Paul Kallus posted:

Do you know what the adaptor part # is you used? Menards had an original 3-wire adaptor that was discontinued - then they issued a new one from a different supplier. There was talk that the original had an unregulated voltage output - though I am not versed enough with electronics to know whether that could be the problem. Ray from Menards said the original adaptors are fine, but its worth the time to check what adaptor you were using.

Thanks for the info.  This is the adaptor I purchased:

Masterforce 4.5 V 2,000 mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adaptor

Model Number: EL4006WH

Panther97,

I'll try to replicate the issues you are experiencing.

In the meantime, contacting guest@menard-inc.com would be your best bet. If you don't hear back today, I will be happy to take the reigns.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Menards posted:

Panther97,

I'll try to replicate the issues you are experiencing.

In the meantime, contacting guest@menard-inc.com would be your best bet. If you don't hear back today, I will be happy to take the reigns.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Thanks, Mark.   I emailed them over the weekend.  All signs may point to a bad adapter.   I was thinking about it this morning while jogging and I did have the Red Owl Store plugged into one of the outlets last week.   I thought the was worked the day before I posted this thread but maybe it wasn't working and I didn't notice.  It's definitely not working now.  The shed has been plugged into the adapter since day 1.

I do not have any Menards products, but it is very refreshing to see one of the sponsors of the OGR Forum monitoring threads posted by their customers and offering to look into the issue.  

Richard

It's what Menards customers, of which I am one, have come to value and expect from them! I have no doubt at all that any issues will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction!

What a shame that you have had trouble; my Menards buildings and rolling stock have been rock solid. Hope to see Diesels from Menards in the future with the same price/performance appeal.

MG Brown posted:

What a shame that you have had trouble; my Menards buildings and rolling stock have been rock solid. Hope to see Diesels from Menards in the future with the same price/performance appeal.

Yep, definitely had some bad luck.  Although, I don't think it was a problem with the buildings.   I've had Grandpa's House for a year and I haven't had one issue.   I believe I may have a bad adapter.  Either way, I'm still a satisfied Menards customer!    I'll be buying another new building soon.       

I am interested to hear what Menards says about this...I  have 4 Menards adaptors and am in the process of testing output voltage. So far, the adaptors are putting out 7-8 volts DC, which is considerably more than the 4.5 volts they say they put out.

I've noticed that the lighting on all the buildings on display at my area stores (3) were all very bright at the beginning of the season.  Now they are all either dim, not working or only partially working.  

Just a follow-up on this thread.  I've been working with Mendard's support department.  They have been excellent and are taking the proper steps to help me resolve my issues.

When I was looking at the buildings at the Menards here I noticed the Red Owl Store sign was fading out on the display.

Gentlemen,

   Mark the train guy at Menard's has aways made sure Menard's stands behind their product line, no matter if the product happens to be rolling stock or layout buildings, Mark does his best to make things right, with our OGR membership.  Make sure you give the man a little time, and he always makes things right.

PCRR/Dave

Last night I noticed my Menards Cabinet factory & Hobby shop building signs were fading and can barely be seen. The voltage measured on both of the Menards three tail power supplies was 7.6 volts on one and 8.7 on the other. I have two wall packs & six buildings. I'll send them an email today. 

I've heard a lot about the LED lites going bad. Today, I went to my local Menards to see what was left in stock. All the buildings were still bright and all working. They have been running full time since two weeks before Christmas. I asked the head hardware man if they had  any problems or replaced any with new products. He said NO.. they didn't touch a thing all holiday season. I did notice they used off the shelf transformers for everything just like I do.  Bob

I purchased their power supplies - no issues yet

I wanted to post a follow-up on this item.  Something very odd occurred this weekend.  I posted that my Maintenance Shed had died along with the three-outlet adapter.  The reason I thought it was fried is that I tried it with two other adapters, one that powers a working Red Owl store, and it did not work.  However; Menards sent me a new adapter to replace the adapter that died.   I plugged Grandpa's House into the new adapter and it worked great.  Out of curiosity I plugged the shed into outlet two just to see what would happen.  To my amazement, the lights turned on but were VERY dim.  Grandpa's House went dim as well.   I was stunned as I tried numerous my Red Owl adapter and it didn't work at all.  I verified that is still the case.  Thus, my shed is not fried but will not work with my two single adapters that power my other buildings.   

Panther,

  You just found out some of this stuff is not compatible use the new adapter Menard's supplied you with.

PCRR/Dave

I bet when under load the voltage falls fast.

Panther97 posted:

I wanted to post a follow-up on this item.  Something very odd occurred this weekend.  I posted that my Maintenance Shed had died along with the three-outlet adapter.  The reason I thought it was fried is that I tried it with two other adapters, one that powers a working Red Owl store, and it did not work.  However; Menards sent me a new adapter to replace the adapter that died.   I plugged Grandpa's House into the new adapter and it worked great.  Out of curiosity I plugged the shed into outlet two just to see what would happen.  To my amazement, the lights turned on but were VERY dim.  Grandpa's House went dim as well.   I was stunned as I tried numerous my Red Owl adapter and it didn't work at all.  I verified that is still the case.  Thus, my shed is not fried but will not work with my two single adapters that power my other buildings.   

Which Is why you may want to test the Voltage output of any adapter you sue. I was looking at some Buildings at the Menards in Gurnee, IL yesterday. A very Nice 30 Sign engine Shed. Hooked up to a power adapter, was completely non functional. No lights, Switch didn't work. etc.

I actually can't tell anyone what to do. However, I would check the power supply output you have with a  Meter prior to connecting it to any Building. Just to be on the safe side.

I did hear back from Menards Guest Services. They advised me that they would be talking with their engineers next month about the apparent issue. So I guess we need to be patient and cautious, going forward.

As Greenrail stated in a previous post about Menard's adapters he found one that works his buildings' lights without any problems.  I recently bought two adapters at a Menards store outside of chicago and I'm afraid to use them thinking that they might "blow out" the lights in the buildings.  

If anyone can tell me if this one is OK to use I'd appreciate it:

Master Force 4.5 1000mA AC to DC adapter (#289-4005)

I also bought a 3 pigtail adapter at Lowe's - anyone have any luck with using this one?  It is a "Carole Town Collection" adapter #0672921 - 4.5V - 1000 mA volts, input: 100-240 V  (Model E319583)

Any help is appreciated

Paul                                 

Harleylito posted:

As Greenrail stated in a previous post about Menard's adapters he found one that works his buildings' lights without any problems.  I recently bought two adapters at a Menards store outside of chicago and I'm afraid to use them thinking that they might "blow out" the lights in the buildings.  

If anyone can tell me if this one is OK to use I'd appreciate it:

Master Force 4.5 1000mA AC to DC adapter (#289-4005)

I also bought a 3 pigtail adapter at Lowe's - anyone have any luck with using this one?  It is a "Carole Town Collection" adapter #0672921 - 4.5V - 1000 mA volts, input: 100-240 V  (Model E319583)

Any help is appreciated

Paul                                 

 

 

I would use a Multimeter to check the output of those before connecting anything to them. The ones I tested in the store were putting out 10 volts DC.

Watch close for AC output. Wall warts come in AC flavor too.

  With a 1000ma draw on one I. bet your close to 4.5v.. Your testing an unloaded wall wart power supply. Not necessarily a very stable thing to begin with. But even a slight draw is likely to draw that reading down hard.

 You don't even know your draws, and are pigtailing power on 1000ma?

The answer to what works where can easily vary. So without knowing what kind of regulating circuit or filtering is inside each building, it isn't out of the question they might be fed to much voltage or current. Or not enough if they use close mated power pack choice to regulate power. You might even get differences over time.

The boards would just be simple. Maybe resistors, capacitor, maybe diodes, or a regulator? Maybe nothing but 12v.diodes?

I honestly expect some to need max 6v and others to need at least 4.5v and . max at. maybe 13v.

The one that "doesn't work" might need more power ..or a cap. Or a filter.

Adriatic posted:

Watch close for AC output. Wall warts come in AC flavor too.

  With a 1000ma draw on one I. bet your close to 4.5v.. Your testing an unloaded wall wart power supply. Not necessarily a very stable thing to begin with. But even a slight draw is likely to draw that reading down hard.

 You don't even know your draws, and are pigtailing power on 1000ma?

The answer to what works where can easily vary. So without knowing what kind of regulating circuit or filtering is inside each building, it isn't out of the question they might be fed to much voltage or current. Or not enough if they use close mated power pack choice to regulate power. You might even get differences over time.

The boards would just be simple. Maybe resistors, capacitor, maybe diodes, or a regulator? Maybe nothing but 12v.diodes?

I honestly expect some to need max 6v and others to need at least 4.5v and . max at. maybe 13v.

The one that "doesn't work" might need more power ..or a cap. Or a filter.

Absolutely, make darn sure that any Power Adapter you plan on using are DC output. Without a doubt. Regarding voltage. Going back to he good old days, one could start a car that had a six volt system with a 12 volt battery. However, you would quickly burnout the electrical system on that car if you left the 12 volt hooked up more than just a few seconds. To me , at least, the same principle would apply here. That is why when one plugged in one of these adapters to he buildings ( as I had - see some of my earlier posts) the lights all worked for a while and then quit working (primarily the automated ones.)

From what I have seen in the stores, it is very possible that over time, due to  a "too high voltage" application, the buildings don't even light up at all. This would indicate that over time, the electricals are overloaded and will fail. Its simple electricity here. Too much voltage (i.e. "pressure") will overwhelm the electrical system in these models.

This is why I measured the voltage applied to make sure it matches what is stated on the Model Packaging. It will be interesting to see what the Folks at Menards come up with as they will be looking into this.

Oh by the way, I bought the Red Owl Store Yesterday and added it to my system this morning. 2 hours running so far and no overheating of my third party adapter. Working well.