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Both of these companies have long since gone out of business.  I bought several relays from each company at train shows in the mid-90s, but never got around to using them before digital control arrived.  However, these relays, specific models, still could be useful.  I dug into my storage box and picked out one from each brand that is supposed to operate highway flashers and others.  Recently, I modified an AF #760 highway flasher to match the wiring of a Lionel #154 flasher (or was it #164?) so that I could eventually get it to blink.  So, each bulb is wired separately.  I have tested the bulbs and they work, meaning no ground problems.  Thus, one of these relays would be perfect to get the bulbs to blink.  Problem is I can't get either one to work.  Thus, I don't know if the relays deteriorated from age and are no good or whether I have made a mistake hooking them up.  I do have the instructions and wiring diagram and it appears I hooked it up correctly.

 

Has anyone here used or using these relays?  If so, what is your experience?

 

Bill

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Originally Posted by mort1345:

I have several of the depotronic relays.  Have you checked the fuses?  Have you tried powering up and using a test light to see if they are working, and is the timer set.?

 

Mort

 

 

Mort, the specific relay I am trying is the Electro-flash, Jr.  I also have an upgraded version called Electro-flash II Plus that is supposed to operate more accessories.  But I'm only interested at the moment in operating a single highway flasher.

 

The fuse is good.  However, no mention in the directions of a "timer".  There is no adjustable items on the board.  I did a voltage test on the bulb wires where they are connected, but there was none.  So, it appears the device is not outputting.

 

I guess I could try the more advanced board, but it would not surprise me if that didn't work either, since I also tried the Burns Bulb Flasher.  The Burns relay is much more simple, at least outwardly, being a solid block with 5 wires: red & black for ac power; orange for common (connects to grnd on the signal); and two white wires, one for each bulb.

 

I've read and reread the directions for both relays and can't seem to find that I have hooked up incorrectly.  But, obviously, somethings wrong.  The only good news so far is that apparently no visible damage has been done to the relays.  No sound can be heard when power is applied.  It's as if the whole device is dead.  The relays have been stored in a climate control environment, so heat damage from storage should not be an issue.

 

Bill

Bill,

You say red and black for input wires.  Sure this device is designed for AC power?  A lot of times, red and black is used for DC power (red +, black -) while some other colors types (blue/yellow, orange/green etc) might be used for AC where there is no specific polarity involved and the device converts AC to DC power internally if required.  Might these devices be meant for HO,N,Z where DC power is used for engines?

 

Just a thought.

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