MTH Aux Tender 20-3620 wiring diagram

How about pictures of your trucks, specifically the bottom?  We can see if a stock roller will fit.

As far as a wiring diagram, I suspect that's pretty easy to trace out.  The MTH aux tenders I have are really simple.

Here's what I'd do for this aux tender, this is the BD-0000042 roller.  I'd use my fiberglass spacers to insulate it and raise it up to fit.  I drill two holes in the truck and tap them for the first piece of fiberglass.  Then I use a blind screw to mount the roller on the second layer, it's recessed from the first layer.

Here's a couple I did previously with similar techniques.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

How about pictures of your trucks, specifically the bottom?  We can see if a stock roller will fit.

As far as a wiring diagram, I suspect that's pretty easy to trace out.  The MTH aux tenders I have are really simple.

Some pics...

I should open it up or just measure since the LEDs (I assume) are easily diodes and the coupler probably just low ohms. I did kind of wonder if there was/were any place schematics were besides the the MTH site.

Measure the electrocoupler, if it's less than 3 ohms, it's not suitable for Lionel use, however if it's the PS/1 coupler at around 5-6 ohms, it'll work fine.  I don't see any roller configurations that will fit those trucks, so I suspect you'd probably have to consider custom mounting.  If you want two rollers, you'd obviously have to move that wire on the front truck, probably split it from the sheath and route it past the added roller.

Thanks for the info on the coupler, I would have made a mistake there since it's about 2.3 ohms. PS3 I think. Maybe I'll put this on the back burner with my UP Railking tender...same issues but no lamp or coupler in it...yet. Would have been better to buy Lionel tenders if they made a Lionmaster tender, UP, or could find a Lionel scale tender, N&W.

This truck mounts with a screw from inside, I've considered buying Premier 6 wheel trucks that mount the same way and have rollers. I never found any parts fiche on powered tenders on the MTH site yet though to think about buying.

Thanks for the reply. Just looking for a project here.

It's not that hard to "roll your own", and it's a lot cheaper than buying trucks for $30/ea or more.  There is a dearth of parts information readily available for MTH, so you have to find it where you can.  MTH does have some parts manuals for older products for download on their site.  There aren't many powered aux tenders for MTH, I don't know of any.

 I looked around more carefully on the MTH site and found the PDFs. Lots of parts and even the 30 dollar trucks . I didn't know the PDFs existed.

Thanks for the help.

That is a PS-2 coupler John, has the Patent marking  You need to open tender.  Normally 2 wires to light, and 2 to coupler, but for PS-2 they can double up one wire for dual use because PV goes to both.  If PS-3 tender, than they can not double up, because coupler power is different than LED Light power.

Lastly PS-1 couplers (Not yours) can use Chassis ground as one wire.

Just open, easy to trace the 4 wires  Because if this is used, you have no idea what the previous owner may have done!  G

Interesting about the patent information, I didn't realize that was strictly on the PS/2 couplers.  I normally measure them, this is easier if that always holds true.

Hi GRJ,

How much does a BD-0000042 roller costand how sold, single or have to buy X amount from MTH?

rrman posted:

Hi GRJ,

How much does a BD-0000042 roller costand how sold, single or have to buy X amount from MTH?

I looked it up on the MTH Service page and it's $5.00

Thanks Chuck,

Will inquire of my two Iowa MTH repair sources if they have one in stock to send.

Seems ashame that MTH doesn't make exploded parts view and numbers for the DIYers.

I haven't found any PDFs of tenders with power rollers. I guess all the earlier steamers just tethered the tender from the engine for power. Maybe the PDFs for the diesels have the rollers listed. The link on the MTH site that opened the door for me on finding some parts fiche was the SERVICE link.

I didn't find any tenders with rollers either.  I'd just do the kludge, it's really not that hard to rig up a roller or two.

I'm thinking I would also need a buffer for the coil coupler from a mini commander. The mini will do about 1.6 amps peak on the heavy outputs. But the tender looks good just as it is behind the Mallet. Maybe I'll just do the backup light if I get power to it. I kind of don't want to do the tether thing.

Actually, the Mini Commander II or the dummy locomotive board will operate a coupler just fine.  If you want a backup light and coupler, I'd use the dummy locomotive board, it's what it's made for.

cjack posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

How about pictures of your trucks, specifically the bottom?  We can see if a stock roller will fit.

As far as a wiring diagram, I suspect that's pretty easy to trace out.  The MTH aux tenders I have are really simple.

Some pics...

I should open it up or just measure since the LEDs (I assume) are easily diodes and the coupler probably just low ohms. I did kind of wonder if there was/were any place schematics were besides the the MTH site.

I'm looking for the tether that plugs into the socket shown above. Any help would be appreciated. My Premier Tender doesn't have the wiring, But the holes for the switches are there. But then again it's a Proto 1 tender for 20-3029-1 SP Daylight.