E unit

If you bypass the E-unit and wire the motor directly to the track, does it run?   If the motor will run in both directions when wired directly, the problem is in the E-unit itself, and not the motor.  Hope this helps!

@RailhammerJohn posted:

Concerning these E units. Can someone tell me how to check the windings to be certain it’s working properly.  Please explain using a meter and the settings.  What to look for and how to determine if it’s bad.  I have one that when installed won’t operate the motor.  I have double checked all my wire connection but all it does is hum.  I just don’t understand it.  It’s real frustrating.  Any comments are appreciated.

RailhammerJohn

Try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzSXRMRIp7A

To test an e unit, separate the e unit into its two circuits and deal with them separately. One circuit is the coil. Its wiring is all on the fiber terminal board where the lever that turns the e unit on and off is. I connect a source of power to this plate so I can easily operate the e unit. For the e unit to operate properly it needs to be sitting upright, with a few rare exceptions.

The second circuit is the fingers. On the four finger board there should be three wires coming off it. One wire from each of the two outside contacts. These wires are typically green and black. The single center wire is either yellow or blue. On the two finger board there is one wire coming off of it.  The wire is usually yellow or blue.

To test the e unit connect the black and green wires to a power source that you can use to light a light bulb. Connect the two yellow and/or blue wires to a light bulb. Turn on the light bulb power. Every time the e unit is cycled by apply power to the coil, the bulb should either turn on or off. If this happens the e unit is good. If the lamp only turns on every third operation or not at all the e unit is defective.

Some notes and graphics on E-units.  This page also shows how to wire the motor directly for testing.