Lionel VisionLine Triplexes Repaired

Joe,

     Never assume, you should know what that means. Test the second Triplex would be my suggestion.

Good luck

JohnB

I just received an e-mail today with the same Diagnosis "Switch PCB for Better Communication" and Part replacement.  Mine should be on the way back home soon.  I will update once I receive it.  They also said I needed to update to V1.32 Base firmware (which I already did the other day), so fingers crossed!

Since I have a class light out and no whistle smoke, I guess I'll have to box mine up as well and send it in.

@Alabama Joe posted:

I purchased TWO VisionLine Triplexes,  one I had opened and tested.    It all ran great except for the 4-digit addressing and weak Whistle Smoke.    After speaking to Dave Olson I sent both engines in for repair.  One I tested for 5 minutes, the other was still factory sealed.      

Lionel  found issues with both engines and  replaced the ‘switch pcb’ for better communication between the tender and loco in 4 digit area.  In one of the Engines the Tender Smoke Unit was replaced after the Engines were tested by Lionel Service.  

Upon receipt of the Engines I tested one of the Triplexes. 4-Digit addressing worked as designed.   No wheel spin in opposite direction.   Not sure what else the technician did, but my Whistle Smoke works GREAt, much better than when I sent it in.  

Engines traveled from Alabama to North Carolina and back. No Damage.       Other than waiting for Nine weeks….    I am a happy camper.      I haven’t tested the second Triplex yet but assume it’s all good.    

Joe,

Was your whistle smoke weak or none at all?

Mine blows, but you have to hold the whistle button down for a couple of seconds.

Thanks!

@vrf201 posted:

Joe,

Was your whistle smoke weak or none at all?

Mine blows, but you have to hold the whistle button down for a couple of seconds.

Thanks!

Probably needs to be adjusted (thermistor distance) and also some had the seal at the hole misaligned and blocking the hole.  Mine was the same way until I fixed it.

@vrf201 posted:

Joe,

Was your whistle smoke weak or none at all?

Mine blows, but you have to hold the whistle button down for a couple of seconds.

Thanks!

Agree with @Sean’s Train Depot.     He identified the problem early and posted on the ORG site how to resolve as he stated above.          

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Probably needs to be adjusted (thermistor distance) and also some had the seal at the hole misaligned and blocking the hole.  Mine was the same way until I fixed it.

Sean,

Did you post any pictures of how you fixed it?

Thanks!

P.S. Great YouTube channel you have.