I just recently bought a Lionel operating track section and a log dump car the track section isn't activating the car. The uncoupling section works but it won't activate the car. Any suggestions
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Does the dump car include the contacts on the bottom of the wheel sets? Do they make contact with the activation rails? Are there any broken or disconnected wires under the activation track? Have you got any pictures? Are you using track power or an auxiliary supply? Are we talking about Lionel 6-12054? Do you have a volt-meter?
It is the Lionel 6-12054 and it does make contact with the activation rails. I have a Lionel kw and I have a automatic crossing gate, Marx spot light and Lionel coal loader. I thought it might not have enough power it runs of track power not external.
Do you know if the dump car works? There should be 2 slide shoes on the bottom of the car; one on each truck (usually on opposite sides of the car). Assuming that this car operates by energizing an electromagnet, you can connect the slide shoes to 14 vac to check it.
Turn off all accessories and try the unloading function. Touch the transformer wires directly to the sliding shoe pickup contacts to make sure the car is working.
Larry
You should have 14 VAC on your ZW transformer. Use posts C and D. This is constant voltage; not controlled by the throttles. Connect hookup wires to these posts and apply power to the two pickup shoes of your dump car (one wire to each shoe) for a brief period; not more than a couple of seconds. The electromagnet should buzz and a small pin should pop up from the center.
On the other hand, you may have a log dump car that uses a center plunger. That one works with the electromagnet on the activation track. The one I'm thinking of is from the 1950's that works with a small solenoid attached to the car. Sorry if I assumed too much.
Confirm that the button controller wires are connected. Test for voltage between the activation rails and the outside rails when you press the button.
If you follow the instructions for separate power wiring and connect to the KW post for fixed 14 volts, that may help. It's taking one red wire and connecting it to the fixed 14v post on the KW. Common is common for track and accessory, so it's already there.
I am thinking that a post war engine will only sit still at about 5-7 volts. A modern conventional engine is about the same or a little less. There may not be enough voltage to operate the dump car, but it may there.
