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So I am having an issue after my MTH operating reefer took a nose dive of the layout.  I opened up everything and inspected everything and except for a broken tab that hold the bottom of door everything seems fine physically. However when I push the unload button all I get is a clicking sound, maybe from the relay so thought the motor but put 9vdc battery leads on the board output to motor and the motor sounds fine and gears turn.  Not sure what else to check.  Maybe a bad capacitor, relay, switch, etc.  I looked at all the solder leads and everything seems intact.  Any ideas on narrowing this down or how what to check. Thinking about just buying a new one on eBay but would like to see about fixing it.

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@Kboruss posted:

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However when I push the unload button all I get is a clicking sound,

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See this OGR thread where OP also says, "When I have it on an operating track and use the unload feature it just clicks and nothing else."  The problem turned out to be a loose/broken connection on the red wire to the lever micro-switch.

Pennsydave's photo showing red wire hi-jacked from above thread:

IMG_0525

Later in the thread, another "just clicks" reefer turned out to have a jammed/stuck gear motor mechanism.  Since your mechanism apparently works smoothly with 9V DC applied, the wiring to the microswitch would be a good starting point.  Note that if you are so "lucky" you don't have to do much dis-assembly to access these connections.

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Last edited by stan2004

And somewhere in the cloud, I posted a DIY How-to on wireless remote activation of the MTH Operating Reefer to activate it anywhere on the layout as opposed to just on an Operating Track Section, UCS, 5-rail activation track, or whatever you call it.  Anyway, I dug up the schematic of this $5 modification.  What's relevant here is the circuit of the Operating Reefer board which shows the relay, lever micro-switch, 9V voltage regulator for gear-motor power, etc.  All the electronic components are inexpensive.  So even if it's not a wiring/connection issue, if you have DIY DNA or sheer-will, I think you can repair your reefer.  To be sure, a voltmeter and soldering-iron will help .

mth operating reefer with wireless remote

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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