New MTH 20-2307-1 CBQ F3 ABA Set - Failed (Need Help) | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum

cwedens88OGR Forum Member

Hello. I am looking for some help/information on a set of new/never run but very old MTH Premier 3 rail Burlington F3 ABA set with PS2 from 2001.

So after getting them out for the first time and as I started to do lubrication, I noticed that were rattling noises inside of the two A units (to find out after opening up its from old, hardened rubber bands that have come off of the motors and the rear A unit had two plastic pieces from the shell broken inside [most likely due to age of plastic]).

After taking care of everything, I put the set on the full command control track with MTH DCS (and Legacy) controls. Powered up and the rear A units smoke unit kicked in started trying to run, a made some odd noises and then the breaker tripped.

Long story short, ended up taking off the rear A and non-powered B unit and was finally able to get the lead A unit to connect to the DCS remote. Ran it for like two minutes. Had to shut off to go do something and had powered everything down. Came back, powered up to test again and now the lead A unit will not send a signal to the remote (says CHECK TRACK) for the engine.

It is not the track or command controllers. Ran a premier PS3 ATSF 44-tonner loco and a Lionel Legacy NYC ESE Hudson, perfect.

Any thoughts or help? I have just sent an email to my dealer that I typically deal with but is three hours from where I live hoping he might have some insight but this was an eBay purchase from a trusted source and he had never run these units, bought them new. No refunds.

So now I have a beautiful set of Burlington F units in freight livery as paperweights or siding place holders.

Thanks

Chris

7/7/199:39 PM

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MikeHOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Chris, you should definitely not run those engines with the original battery in there. So if you haven't replaced the battery with a new one (or BCR), do that.

7/7/1910:32 PM

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KrieglokOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Consider changing the battery. It may be dead. Also, It sounds like a PS2/5volt board that may prove to be problematic . You can replace the battery with a BCR instead.

https://www.jandwelectronics.com/bcr

Does the unit run in conventional mode?

Tom

7/7/1910:36 PM

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cwedens88OGR Forum Member

Thank you for the suggestion. No, I have not changed the battery and knew I would need to. I will get one ordered. Would the battery cause those problems in the rear A unit as well such as the smoke fan kicking on, making a noise and tripping the breaker? I did check the motor/blade and it was clear of debris and turned freely.

Not had a chance to try in conventional. I will get the battery replacement ordered and hopefully try again when it comes in. Just worried about that rear A unit.

7/7/1911:09 PM

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BobbyDOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

cwedens88 posted:
Thank you for the suggestion. No, I have not changed the battery and knew I would need to. I will get one ordered. Would the battery cause those problems in the rear A unit as well such as the smoke fan kicking on, making a noise and tripping the breaker? I did check the motor/blade and it was clear of debris and turned freely.
Not had a chance to try in conventional. I will get the battery replacement ordered and hopefully try again when it comes in. Just worried about that rear A unit.

Marty would have told you always install a new battery first!

Does the breaker trip with each unit on the track by itself?

7/8/198:49 AM

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GGGOGR Forum Member

SIf the slave started moving immediately (Trail A), most likely slave motor fet shorted. Can be repaired. As far as the lead A it must have good battery to remember DCS setting otherwise you have to readd. You can use a 9V alkaline as a temporary test. See if lead A runs by itself in conventional. Then readd to DCS and test again. If so, you can send slave board to me and I can repair/replace. E-mail in profile. G

7/8/199:36 AM

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cwedens88OGR Forum Member

Good evening all,

Here is the update. The BCR replacement came in today finally and I got it into the lead A unit. She powered right up and ran for her first time. These were for sure brand new never used.

As for the trailing A unit....there is something very wrong and with the board.

I tested it by itself and it made clicking noises and tripped the breakers.

Plus both A units together, same thing.

Took the shell off of the trailing A unit and could hear the clicks from possibly the board itself.

So...is it worth getting it fixed OR just upgrading all of it to PS3 or TMCC? I don’t think I have the complete skills to do that.

I know that in the comment above this G stated he could repair or replace the board and if that’s all that is needed then fantastic. But would it be worth it to upgrade all of it?

7/16/1911:19 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

As George says, it probably can be fixed, and it'll sure be a lot cheaper than a full PS/3 upgrade.

7/17/1910:35 AM

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cwedens88OGR Forum Member

Very true! Thank you so much. I will email George later today after I get home from work.

7/17/1910:38 AM

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GGGOGR Forum Member

Look at the smoke unit in the trail A also, any short in the element or crack/broken metal housing? G

7/18/198:52 AM

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cwedens88OGR Forum Member

Just for anyone that is curious I have been talking with George and tried the unit with the smoke unit/motor disconnected from the board as well as the motor control leads. The unit is still making the same sound. I am attaching the photos that I took before disconnecting everything just so everyone can see. I also took a very short video of the clicking sound that is being made.