I have a VisionLine Big Boy 6-11437 that I am having issues with. Specifically the RCMC board. I did purchased this engine used and it was not working correctly. I love a challenge.
When I start the engine from a cold start (sitting non powered for about an hour), the engine does not see the legacy control signal and I think it tries to start in conventional transformer control mode (engine sounds start up when power is applied to the track), but the RCMC board starts to heat-up and "smoke" just below the plug for the on/off switches. Also, the main smoke unit starts to smoke, but with no fans running. I immediately cut the power. I looked at the RCMC for any obvious damage and source of the heat/smoke and found none. The rear blow-down smoke unit is located right next to the board and my thought was that excess smoke fluid may be the cause of the smoke.???
I also tried to control it in convention mode without success. A 2nd attempt gives the same result.
However, if I move/wiggle the communications board that is pinned on the RCMC, it then operates as it should. I might have to repeat this a couple of times, but I always get the engine to work. Once I have done this, the engine will normally work as it should (power cycles on and off correctly finding the communications signal) if testing/running continually. This is fine, but running the engine without the boiler shell, just does not get it. By the way, the only reason I found this is when I was rebuilding the smoke units and testing the engine with the boiler off. The main smoke unit got so hot it melted both impeller fans to a flat disk. I would guess that this issue, power to the heating elements in the main smoke unit with no fans running, was the reason for the main smoke unit failure.
When the engine is communicating correctly with the legacy system, all three smoke units operate as they should (appearance wise). I have not measured the individual smoke unit amp draw, etc. But, when operating the engine, the total amp draw is under 2 amps measured by the amp meter on the MTH Z4000 transformer.
I have removed the RCMC board and looked for any bad solder joints, etc. I have found none. There is a 4 pin and a three pin connection from the communications board to the main RCMC board. I have cleaned those contacts gently. They look to be plated, so I did not use anything abrasive. I also thought re-seating all the connections would be a good thing. No improvement, same issues.
I know I could purchase a replacement board ($150), but if this is an easy fix, well I am all in for that.
Has anyone had a similar issue using a RCMC board? And if so, where you able to remedy without a replacement?
One other question I have is if the communication board is not attached to the main RCMC board, are these the symptoms that would be expected?
