Sunset 3rd Rail FL9 inoperativ.e

Just a guess. I have two. I had problems with the wires going to the front truck. Seems wire needed to be resoldered.

Since then, one of the boards fried.

Good luck.

The horizontal drive train on 3rd Rail diesels can bind up. I have one at the moment with that problem but the motor tries to turn and trips the transformer into red light territory. I haven’t opened it up but I supect the drive belt has slipped from its proper position. To be honest the manuals with these are not much use.

Before you take yours apart check out the trucks and the visible parts of the drive train underneath. With gentle pressure can you get it to move? Next you should probably email Scott Mann or his service dept. with a description of all the symptoms and see what they recommend; they are the best at customer support.

Taking the body shell off is not a big deal (but getting everything back together is). Basically there will be four large screws, a pair at each end of the frame, and possibly two towards the middle of the frame. You might also have to take out a small screw holding the pilot if you have a fixed one.

The drive train turns freely.

DMASSO, do you know which boards "fried" or why they might have failed? Were you able to get the boards repaired or replaced?

The wires to the wheel contacts appear to be OK.

I will contact Sunset 3rd Rail.

I do not. It is still sitting on my layout. 

Forum member Melgar had a board problem and had it repaired by 3rd Rail for a price.

What vintage is this unit?  3rd Rail used TAS electronics until they folded up shop, then moved to the ERR boards.  Nothing especially unique about the boards in there, this could be as simple as the R2LC worked it's way out of the socket.  A question...  Do the lights work normally?  Can you toggle the lights on and off with AUX2?

GRJ,

Box says December 2012.

Rear light is on. Number boards are lit. Sound comes on with track power. Engine will blow horn and ring bell. Otherwise, it is not responsive in TMCC or Conventional. Directional lights do not change backward to forward. 

There are 6 large screws; 2 in the rear, 2 in front of the fuel tank and 2 between those 4.

I have not tried removing the shell yet to check on boards.

Wire to front pickup roller is loose and needs to be re-soldered. 

I think the number boards are probably always lit.  Sounds like the R2LC isn't responding.  The first step would be to take a peek inside, it could be a simple fix.

Mine physically smoked so I do not think mine is simple or cheap.

DMASSO, possible cause for your problem is disconnected hot wire from pickup roller shorting to ground.

Maybe my problem too.

Looks like it is time to open her up. 

DMASSO posted:

Mine physically smoked so I do not think mine is simple or cheap.

Hard to say without looking, it's not always something expensive.

Your welcome to look at it if you have the time. Gladly pay you for your time and material.

Send me an email and we can arrange shipping.  If you happen to be going to TrainStock at the NJ-HR, we could arrange either pickup or dropoff there and save shipping one way.

GRJ,

Turned out to be defective R2LC VERSION 08.

Substituted a good R2LC.  Fixed.

Had to re-solder hot wire to front pick-up and re-solder lead to PROG/RUN switch.

Sunset uses very fine wires and nothing extra for length. So broken wires are to be expected.

Shell comes off after removing 6 large screws and pilot.

I will install 22uH choke to prevent DCS signal degradation.

Can you provide new R2LC and spare cab lights for other project?