New to the hobby. Inherited a basic O27 Lionel set from 1953 (2037 loco), and have been slowly expanding (RW transformer, multiple switches, various accessories--all postwar) on temporary on-floor layouts.
Purchased a 145-54 Gateman (1951 model, I believe--no base-mounted light, matches this image exactly: https://www.tandem-associates....l_trains_145_acc.htm). Salesman also sold me a 153C contactor, rather than the (more compatible?) 145C. Ran into wiring problems and am wondering whether the contactor is the issue. According to the relevant page from the Tandem Associates site, "The No. 153C could work with any accessory that used the No. 145C contactor..." Assuming that's not the case, however, could using the 153C instead of the 145C be my problem (before getting into any other possible issues with the wiring configuration)? Here's what happens:
The second the Gateman is connected to the transformer with the throttle off, the light goes on, the man pops out, loud solenoid/plunger buzz--with no loco on the track yet, so no motion or weight-change over contactor. Altering placement of the contactor on track relative to distance from accessory makes no difference. Neither does adjusting the contactor nut. Have also tried alternate track-power method using lockon, as well as experimenting with different transformer posts to keep voltage down: same result (RW is connected to track at B and U posts). Haven't got the hang of insulated blocks yet. Is it just that I have the wrong contactor, or am I doing something else wrong? Or maybe this particular Gateman itself is the problem?? (Other accessories work just fine (e.g., crossing signals), as do 022 switches and remote track.) . Have consulted the relevant pages in Greenberg's--http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/accs/acc145p1.pdf--as well as the newer owner's manual--https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/71-4091-250.pdf.
Any help to a novice would be greatly appreciated!
