Question about LIONELVILLE HOBBY SHOP 6-85294 - Lights but No Action

I had working lights and no motion on one once. If this one is older (pre- plug-expand-play) there is a string of diodes. That was the failure point on mine. The string of diodes isn't serviceable via Lionel parts, but they're regular diodes strung together. Can get the specs off them when the shop is disassembled.

Yeah, it's the disassembly part I'm concerned about. I think I'll just start removing the screws around the edge of the building walls and see where that leads.

@Tooter posted:

Yeah, it's the disassembly part I'm concerned about. I think I'll just start removing the screws around the edge of the building walls and see where that leads.

There are a ton. I took out as many as I could.

I have a complete photo set of the disassembled unit. Let me dig it up. I’m not sure if this unit is the same as mine but as Andrew said they used to have a diode string that went bad. Simple fix once you get it apart.

This has come up before. One poster stated the pcb was replaced by Lionel.

https://ogrforum.com/...hobby-shop-no-motion

OK this the original version of the shop. Photos are all taken by me and are my own! 15 or so years ago.  While the guts maybe different, I suspect the screw placement is the same.  I also included a picture of the diode pack.  Again yours maybe slightly different but I suspect it's the same tooling.

The electronics may differ.  I haven't had a new one opened...yet.

There are screws under here.

Are the screw to remove the top.

Lid off.

Circuit Board

Diode Pack.

Just some interior detail shots.

Thank you for the base photo Marty - I'm ready to tear into this now!

Apparently, I have the newer model Hobby Shop. No signs of a string of diodes:

The large white plug on the left is coming in from the remote switch. If there is a need to convert AC to DC with a bridge rectifier, I assume it's integrated on the PCB.

Time to order a board from Lionel.....

The bummer is that I already returned this Shop to Lionel to have it repaired under warranty. They replaced the board.

Still hopeful though. Thanks again to everyone for walking me through this.

Great photos Marty.  Thank you for posting !

@CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

Great photos Marty.  Thank you for posting !

I had this issue back in the day, same one, and this forum helped. Rather than wait I could fix it in time for a holiday party. I had to take it apart again to do some clean about 7 years ago so I felt inclined to take the pictures.

I hope it helped Tooter at least a little.

Do you remember what size diode I would need ?

@CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

Do you remember what size diode I would need ?

1N400X series. example 1N4003

AKA the most common diode used  in many hobbies for many purposes and reasons.

Also, further explained in this hobby shop specific forum post https://ogrforum.com/...86#17057203034974386

https://www.lionelsupport.com/PCB-PEP-HOBBY-SHOP

Anyone here think the Hobby Shop circuit board would last longer if powered at 14v vs 18v?

@Tooter posted:

Anyone here think the Hobby Shop circuit board would last longer if powered at 14v vs 18v?

That would be my guess. Clearly the new version uses a switching regulator  (less heat generated than a linear), but no matter how you want to spin it, the LEDs and the motor run at much lower voltages- thus needing regulators to reduce the voltage. Making the regulator not have to drop "extra" voltage generally is easier on the components.

Well, I got my circuit board. Still no train motion.

Decision:
- Dump it on a repair center and pay alotta money to get it working or...
- Walk away

The motors used in these are very cheap and readily available. I don't have a number in front of me, but my recollection is their more common use was in VCR winders. I got like 2 dozen on eBay for $50 a few years ago.

The worm is just pressed on, can be removed with pliers beneath and pressed onto a new motor.

I'd try another motor before sending it to a tech. They're easily serviced.