MRC Command Master 20

Dick:

Do you know if the problem is in the hand held controller, or one of the components in the case?  The reason I'm asking is that I have two units (6 amps each) that are part of an estate I'm handling.  The family inadvertently threw away the hand held  controllers, so they have very little value.  If you think that you can use one of the these, contact me off line with your address.  If it works for you, you can send me a $20.00 check made out to the estate, plus shipping.

My email is >wesmorgenstern@verizon.net<

Do mean MRC Control Master 20 ?

I have 2 of them, But I dropped one and broken some wires inside.

MRC uses tamperproof screws I cannot find anywhere, or a tool to remove them.

If MRC no longer supports this product, then the screws will have to be drilled or ground off to open the case for repair.

I took the screws out with pliers.

Dick

MRC made 2 versions of the CM 20. The first with a cooling fan, second without. I couldn't tell you what MRC did to compensate for no fan.

I imagine a good electronics repair shop (if it exists) can troubleshoot it. did you ask MRC if they can provide a wiring schematic?

totrainyard posted:

Do mean MRC Control Master 20 ?

I have 2 of them, But I dropped one and broken some wires inside.

MRC uses tamperproof screws I cannot find anywhere, or a tool to remove them.

If MRC no longer supports this product, then the screws will have to be drilled or ground off to open the case for repair.

Would you like to rid yourself of them? cbqer@aol.com.

Dick

$165 plus the old one for a replacement unit?

Boy, what's the street price on that replacement?

What did those MRC CM-20 units cost?   I have one, but I have no idea what I paid. (I think it has a fan)

The Command 20 was about 150 and the list on the second it 299.

Dick

Thanks! I purchased mine new for my sons use when he was into HO / N gauge. 

It was put away in good order, I'll have to make certain it stays that way.

I’m several years late to the party. I have a power master 20 that I used for 30 years on my outdoor layout. I never had a problem. My son and adult grandson set up an outdoor layout and all of a sudden it doesn’t work. They said the engines started then died. I finally got here to look at it. I was thinking the fusible link. When I turned it on the fan was making noise and then stopped followed by the power shutting down. I used my rotary disc to cut slots in the screws. Then I was able to open it. I was thinking that the fan was dry but the blades were jammed against the grill. I backed off the bolts securing the fan and pulled it away from the grill. I turned the power on the fan was quiet and I was able to bring the voltage up to 20 on the track power. I ran it for 5 minutes with no problem. Before I call it a fix I am going to put the Colorado Southern on the track and try a prolonged test. That’s for tomorrow. Before I  do that I’m going to install flat washers between the fan and the grill.

Thanks for the update.

Maybe I will finally get around to repairing my unit.

So many projects... so little time.

I installed two washers on each screw of the fan mounting to provide more clearance between the fan blade and the grill. The fan is running quiet now. Not having an engine handy I put this newly acquired search light car on the test track. It’s been running about an hour now. I’ve got to move the car and get down a Christmas box for an engine.