Culvert loader and SC2 problem

You can't use Position 1 on the SC2 for Fastrack Switches otherwise accessories are okay.

You can use all positions on the SC-2 with a simple mod.  You just cut the extra ground trace on the top that was designed to power the SC-2 from old tubular switches.

Here's the thread that image came from: https://ogrforum.com/t...617#9173459931058617

That's where your error was.

The SPST switches hot, not ground like the SC-2 does.

To connect to the SC-2 and your SPST, you need to hardwire the "switch" connections "closed" or "on"(kind of like it is now after the failure). Leave the hot side of your ACC transformer connected to one transformer post, connect the other(ground) to the center common connection of the SC-2, and then connect either the "on/off" or "momentary" terminal of the SC-2 to the remaining loader connection. That will give you remote capability.

Now, take your SPST switch, and connect it to both terminals of the SC-2 that you are using. This will let you control it with the switch.

I made the same error with my culvert loader last Christmas. 

The internals are not very robust in the current configuration with these newer releases.

One wrong step and the board is fried.

@Graz:  Indeed!  The "Switch" terminals on both the culvert loader and unloader don't carry power.  They are just a low voltage, low current, jumper across some of the electronics on the circuit board.  I just got out my voltmeter to see what's going on with my SC2 (which is configured for 6 accessories and 0 switches).  Positions 2 thru 6 are simple on/off as expected.  But position 1 seems to have the full 18 volt power on it.  So when I connected the "Switch" terminals to position 1, the full 18 volt power obviously blew out the culvert loader circuit board.   I've looked in the SC2 and Culvert Loader manuals -- there's nothing saying not to use position 1.  Graf -- did Lionel make good on this for you?

@gunrunnerjohn:  I guess cutting the trace solves this problem for position 1 on the SC2.  Have you ever seen anything in the Lionel documentation that using position 1 unmodified will smoke the Culvert Loader or Unloader?

@ADCX Rob:  Yep -- this is the way I have it hooked up now, since the "Switch" connections are effectively jumpered "closed".  So I have a workaround that's OK, except that the light inside the building doesn't stay on.  But previously, when the culvert loader was working correctly, hooking up the SPST toggle switch and SC2 in parallel on the "Switch" terminals will work as well.  If the toggle switch is "on", or the SC2 position is "one", then the culvert loader will operate, which is what I wanted.

I'm going to contact Lionel tomorrow to see what they say about this.  Seems like other customers could easily be running into the same problem unless there's a warning somewhere that I'm missing.

I hadn't yet had mine repaired as I wasn't completely sure of the issue. Now that I've read your post and the assessment, I would hope that they would cover the repair even though it's out of warranty.

Thanks for digging into this.

Are you going to cut the trace on your SC-2? Is there any real downside beyond the resale impact? I always use the AC wall plug for power anyway so I may make the cut as well.

Thanks,

Mike

Other than potential resale value, which I don't spend a lot of time worrying about, I can't imagine any downside.  If, for some strange reason, you wanted it back again, it's simple to solder a jumper on to bridge the gap.

To close the loop on this thread, Lionel agreed to fix my culvert loader.  It's been to Lionel and back, and it's now working again correctly on my layout.  They replaced the small PCB inside with all the electronics.

Interestingly, they also wanted to take the SC-2 for "modifications", after which they said it would be required to be powered from the AC wall plug.  That mod wasn't going to work well for me as I don't have AC power handy where the SC-2 is located.  So I did not get the SC-2 mods done.  I'll just be careful about using position 1, or I'll cut the trace per gunrunnerjohn's instructions.

That's the only "mod" I can think of, and it's easy to do.

Glad to hear that they took care of it. I ended up just paying my local repair guy to get mine back in order with a new board. I'll probably make the SC-2 mod the next time I unbox it.