Loco Woes

Sounds like the MTH PS-1 engines could use a Reset 18.

VAGolfer1950 is pretty knowledgeable about MTH so I would go with his recommendations - see if you can get the reset done on the PS1s or upgrade them to PS2.  If you stay with PS1, you really want to get a BCR in each

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com...-Repl-p/jwe-bcr1.htm

 

As to the Lionel, if it sounds like gears grinding its probably something grinding.  It would not run it - just sure to make matters worse.  It may be difficult to find a good repair shop in the UK but I'd find a way to get it looked at . . .

Thanks gents.

 

@ VaGolfer: Hi there, alas I have tried this already on both locos and no change in their behaviour. I have a feeling there are some deeper issues.

 

Some of these locos don't get used for long periods, and as much as I tell Dad to take the batteries out if he's not gonna use them for a while, I think he tells himself that he'll get out the train shed more often to keep 'em happy... then real life gets in the way.

 

I have my suspicions it's gonna need new boards. Was hoping it might be something simpler but hey-ho...

 

@ Lee Willis: it had crossed my mind that an upgrade to PS2 might be a good idea, it's convincing my Father of the financial 'investment'! *chuckle*

However I was unsure if these two loco models had PS2 boards for accurate to their respective class.

 

Those BCR look good; any catches to their use, and what kind of life can you expect from them?

Sounds like a scrambled chip, you need to get the repair chip kit from MTH. if that doesn't fix it then the boards are toast.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com...Kit-p/mth-501023.htm

Tom,

Consider sending the locomotives to an MTH technician in the USA for service. There are a few who lurk on this forum.

Hi Tom,

          The Lionel T1, has this been run before?

Have you tried another tmcc loco to test if the system is operating correctly?

 

Are you running on 50Hz or are you running 60Hz from an inverter? 

 

From the symptoms I bet you are running 50Hz. Sounds like a coffee grinder... I have the missile launch engine also from 2000 and this acts the same on 50Hz.

Runs fine on 60Hz. 

 

The tmcc base power supply, how is it conected to the mains? 

It is also critical that the command base transformer (wall wart) is correctly earthed.

 

Regards

Nick

In the United Kingdom how different is the power supply?

 

Are you able to use the same transformers used in the USA?

 

Andrew

UK is 230V 50Hz. You can use most of the US specification transformers with a 230V to 120V step-down transformer.

 The CW-80 was a problem until the new QC50-OK model was introduced (still needs a step down transformer but now works fine on 50Hz).

 

TMCC has it's own 50Hz issues. Mainly down to which boards are in the loco. There was an issue with items of 2000-2004 vintage that are pretty much uncontrollable on 50Hz.

But some other items of different vintage can also have issues.

 

As for the TMCC base wall wart you have to make sure you have earth continuity between it's earth pin and the UK mains earth. 

 Some step-down transformers (if you run 50Hz) or pure sine inverters (if you run 60Hz) might not have the earth connected internally? Always worth checking.

 

The UK is pretty unique in using Ring main wiring in homes. The US and Germany use Radial wiring. I am not a electrical expert but I think that this might be the cause of some TMCC/Legacy issues. Need more research, early days yet.

 

Regards

Nick

Tom,

 

Don't forget that if you do need repairs done then the place to go is Tennents Trains

near Birmingham.Their technician Rob is a great bloke, knows heaps about Lionel and MTH and charges in my opinion, very low prices to fix things up.

 

MIKE

Gentlemen, I can't thank you enough for your advice - that loco chip resetter looks like a sound investment, at least worth a try and I had no idea about the AC frequency issue.

 

We currently run 2x Z-4000 & the TMCC off 2x construction site 110v transformers if I remember correctly - is this not wise? What are the alternatives?

Tom:

One possible source for power compatible with al US transformers and sngines:

A "Constant on" Backup Power Supply. Such a supply or "UPS" (Uninterruptable power supply) Charges the battery from the mains, 50 Hz won't bother that.

Then it converts the battery DC to 60 Hz AC in a clean sine wave.

 

That's the important part. It must make a sine wave, not a square or stepped wave.

That's also the expensive part as it requires more circuitry and filtering.

 

Good Luck

Russell, some people like Nick over here do that already by using a US inverter connected to a 12v supply from a transformer and this let's us run the trains as if they were across the pond. Regards, Neil