I have NOS K-Line operating milk car. Really like slow operation works well on operating track section. But I can not get it to work with remote, also NOS. Both are K-line by Lionel. Any ideas?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Check the batteries in the remote, make sure they're good for starters.
Check to see that the slide switches on the car are set the same as the remote buttons you are using for that particular car.
If you do not have the directions for your milk car, I have attached one below.
As stated above, check the battery and check the programming under the milk car. I would purchase a new 9V battery to ensure you have a fresh charge. Only one switch in the A, B, C section and only one switch in the 1-8 section should be in the ON position. For example, move the switches for A and 1 to ON, and leave all other switches in the OFF position. Turn the remote on (a light should come on over the power button.) Address the milk car by pressing A, then 1 and it should work.
In order for the milk car to work with the remote, the track needs to be powered. If you are running a conventional layout (train runs on a transformer), when you power down the track to stop the train, you lose the power required to run the milk car. The fix is to use either an operating track or to isolate a section of track with a dedicated power drop. If your layout uses a command control system, make sure the power to the track is at least 8 volts for the milk car to work.
If all of the above fails to work, and you feel competent to work on your remote, unscrew the the controller. Look for any loose debris, cold solder joints or pinched wires. My remote quit working, and upon inspection, I found loose flashing and a pinched wire.
Keep us posted as you work through the issue.
Attachments
Files (1)
Thank you. I have done all you suggested except look inside remote. The milk car is the only K-line by Lionel I have so cannot check with other operating cars. I do have a Williams log dump car and a Williams remote and the Williams remote works for the Williams car, but not the K-line. It had been suggested they might have been made intentionally incompatable,imagine that!! I will take remote apart and look
The K-Line remote control cars are a 'hot mess' as they say on reddit.
My experience has been something like one out of three cars do not work with the remote, with them all being K-Line branded and made.
Then there is some issue that the K-Line system would not pass FCC and Lionel had to redo it, breaking compatibility. My version of the story is shaky, either search the forum or perhaps someone will chime in. So it is possible that the K-Line remote does not operate K-Line by Lionel cars.
I believe there is a way to park made by K-Line cars over a magnetic uncoupling track and activate the action, if you are trying to conqunqure and divide.
I converted one car using a Mini-Commander, and of course I didn't take good notes. I got carried away with LEDs.
There is likely a pin switch bank or pin code inside the remote that has to be set to match the receiver's. Those things aren't always set to match at the factory.
Remote & modules you could adapt for replacing the present one can be found on DaBay for sure. Maybe even wallmart etc. as a wireless doorbell,light control,etc. if your the mad scientist- dyi type. Converting to command control is just as easy really.
Appreciate all your helpful suggestions. I am not very techno savvy, 73 yrs old, still wish I could live in the black rotary phone era! Nuff said on that. My layout is the SL&T Railroad- six loops & a trolley. Now all MTH DCS do really like command control for the layout.
Back to the milk car, a project that I have left on the shelf for a couple of years, now taking it up again partly ' cabin fever motivated. Will try suggestions, let you know.
Thanks to you all, New to the Forum really helps a lot!
P.K.
