Boom Car Sound Just Stopped

MrMoe50OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Has anyone who has one of the TMCC Crane Car/Boom Car sets ever had a problem with the sound just suddenly stop working? The sound has worked fine since I purchased it. It was working last week, no changes to the layout, it hasn't even been handed....still sitting on the siding I parked it on when I was last finished with it.

I took the roof off, found the antenna wire was disconnected, so I resoldered that. Checked for other loose wires and connections, but couldn't find anything obvious.

I hear a slight popping sound when track power is applied, but I always heard that when it worked, then just static from the speaker. The static gets louder when I turn up the volume using the knob.

Verified that the Snd/NoSnd switch was working.

I have read that RS boards go bad from time to time. Is this how they go? One day it works, the next day it's done?

Any other ideas on what to check? I don't think there is any warranty as it was bought used from an aquaintance sometime last summer.

Thanks in advance.

3/3/134:57 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

First step is to reseat all boards and connectors. Pull them apart, then plug them back in.

Next step is to obtain a PLCC chip extraction tool and reseat the two PLCC chips on the audio board. Do NOT try to pry these out without the correct tool! I've had a number of RS boards where the chip contacts develop oxidation over time and the sound either gets spotty or dies totally.

3/4/139:46 AM

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GreggOGR Forum Member

We had our boom car setting in a yard along side parallel tracks coupled to the crane. The crane worked fine so I never dreamed the boom car failed because of a poor tmcc signal. Try holding your hand over the boom car (not easy by yourself) or a different location.

That fixed ours.

3/4/1312:12 PM

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MrMoe50OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Gunrunnerjohn and Gregg,

thanks for the suggestions. I'll try them and report back.

3/4/136:56 PM

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MrMoe50OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Solved!

After following gunrunnerjohn's suggestion of pulling everything apart, then plug it all back together, the sound came back but as soon as I moved the car on the track it would stop...crap! However, this time, when I started the crane again the sound would start up again, then stop as soon as I moved the car. Ahhhh, must be a power pick up problem, so i flipped the car over and the wire from the front pick up roller was loose. It was not completely broken off, so was hard to spot under the shrink tube. Resoldered that and all is good.

Thanks for the ideas.

3/5/138:11 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Happiness is a problem solved.