Lionel 153 IR module questions

Sounds very unusual. I have several on the layout that have been working for about 12 years with no issues. What voltage are you running them at? And they all exhibit the same problem?

Rod

This might help.  Open the case from the bottom.  Squirt contact-cleaner in the gap UNDER (see photo) the delay control as you rotate knob back-and-forth.  These control are so-called "open frame" (as opposed to "sealed") so over time gunk can accumulate on or between the moving surfaces of the control. 

Needless to say, once it's open, do the same to the range/sensitivity knob next to it.

Thanks guys for your replies. I did remove the bottom on one and try to clean it and that really didn't help. I will try it again.

Best to all, Jerry

You could also try:

https://www.azatrax.com/ir-model-train-detector.html

If you're the same Jerry A in the linked thread above, apparently you're willing/able to do some DIY component-level repair.  It could be that the 100K trimpot (trimmer potentiometer) simply went bad such that no amount of cleaning will help.  Finding the exact replacement trimpot could be an issue as described other thread.  

But it's easy to find a 10-cent generic 100K trimpot that would fit in the space.  It won't have the tall white knob so you'd use a screwdriver inserted thru the case hole to adjust it but this would be done once to set the delay time and you're done.

Thanks for the Z stuff information. I like those people

Much thanks for all the input

Hi all

I would be really interested in getting some of these potentiometers and see if I could dolder them in with my kind of poor eyesight. Could someone please advise where I could get them or if they had some I would be glad to pay for them and shipping obviously.

Thank you very very much for your input,Jerry 

As mentioned in the linked thread in my earlier post, good-luck finding the exact 100K trimpot with the extended white knob.  I do not see any manufacturer part number or markings on my 153IR.

But if you're determined to effect a DIY repair, as I suggested earlier you could simply insert a generic 100K trimpot that would not have the extended knob.  I showed an example of such a 10 cent trimpot and a listing from eBay.  It would require some soldering finesse to attach the 3-terminals of the trimpot to the 3-holes in the circuit board...not to mention removing the existing 3-terminal trimpot which can be a hassle without steady hands and the eyesight of a teenager.

The 3-holes are on a "standard" 5mm x 10mm grid for which it's easy to find a trimpot that would fit.  For example for a bit more you could use this 100K trimpot from DigiKey (US distributor).  Note that DigiKey shipping will be $4-5 so you'd end up paying more for shipping than the parts themselves!  No extended knob so as shown in previous post you'd have to poke a screwdriver into the case hole to adjust the trimpot...but you'd only need to do this once.

On the other hand, how about this.  If you look at the board and feel confident extracting the existing 100K ohm trimpot, why not just replace the trimpot with a fixed-value 5-cent resistor.  I believe you said you're just looking for a 30 sec delay which I believe is about half the maximum settable delay of 1 minute.  If this is the case then just insert a common 47K resistor (about half of 100K) across 2 of the 3 holes and you'll get a fixed (i.e., non-settable) delay of something close to 30 sec.  I don't know if you have an electronics DIY buddy or an electronics store (like a Radio Shack equivalent) nearby but it is easier to find a 47K resistor than a 100K trimpot.  

Hi Mark,

That would be fine except I had another email response or blog response saying that it would be very hard to install. I have pretty bad eyesight but I can still solder. What do you think?

Jerry

What about solder across the the pins.. Jumper..leave the pot in. Using. The 47k resistor.

Also it will tell you if it is the pot..

I with Stan ...

Jerry A posted:

 

... I am not able to adjust the time delay. 

So to be clear, does this mean you always get the max (1 minute or whatever) delay, zero delay, or some other behavior?

Riki makes a great suggestion.  As I see it, if you always get the long delay irrespective of the adjustment setting then you could simply install a fixed-value resistor without removing the trimpot.  This still requires some soldering handi-work but here's one way you might do it:

That's a 1/4 Watt, 47K resistor with its 2 wire terminals inserted into conveniently located "rivet" holes in the trimpot terminal connections.  I don't show the resistor soldered into place which you'd have to do.  If the trimpot is failing in the way I'm thinking (i.e., you're always getting the max delay), then a 47K resistor added as shown will give you a fixed delay of about 1/3 the max value or, say, 20 sec if the max is 1 minute.  You'd use a 100K fixed resistor to get a fixed delay of about 1/2 the max value or 30 sec.

If you don't have local access to 1/4 Watt resistors and are about to mail-order a few 5 cent resistors plus $5 shipping , let me know and I'll mail you some no charge.

How about getting an analog ohm meter across your old pot and sweep it and prove to yourself that it is really bad.  Depending upon what you need for sensitivity adjustment, you may be able to simply swap the2 pots installed in yours. 

Thanks for all your replies. I would like to delay it 20 seconds which would be fine for me. I will gladly pay for a few of the resistors necessary to do that. All I would have to do is wire the resistor as shown in the above picture right?

Thanks again, Jerry

Email sent to your profile address.  Check your junk mail folder .

No charge for the resistors and I'll even pay the postage.  Just report back to us how it works out!  

Edit: I made this short video where I solder a 47K resistor into the delay trimpot.  There is a close-up photo at the end of the video showing the desired outcome.  It does require some tight-quarters soldering...but I think this is a reasonable alternative to removing the existing trimpot.   It's happenstance that the trimpot has the two holes where the resistor terminal wires conveniently drop in!  You'll spend much more time dis-assembling and re-assembling the unit to access the trimpot than the actual soldering itself!