UCS track and controller

Pat KOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I have a ucs track that gives me theirs issue. When I try to energize the track ( adding power to make the track operate, the controller and the wire immediately get hot. In my attached photo, which is not in focus, the 4 wire is coming out of the controller slightly twisted. I can only think that someone was monkeying around with the wiring at one time.

But trust me. That wire is hot in 5 or 6 seconds. Any suggestions or understanding why. I do have the Greenberg’s repair up manual, so I do understand the premise of the push buttons and the wiring. And I know something is not right.

this box says Made in Hong Kong for Lionel (R).

Attachments

Hide

Images (1)

1/11/2111:51 PM

❤️ 0

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

TrainLarryOGR Forum Member

Take the rear cover off the controller and follow the wiring diagram of the controller to the UCS track.

Lary

Attachments

Hide

Files (1)

rcs3.pdf

1/12/211:28 AM

❤️ 0

Pat KOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Thanks.

I opened up a controller once and .... I could never put it back together. I still have it. It’s laughable.

1/12/219:27 AM

❤️ 0

johnstrainsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@Pat K posted:
Thanks.
I opened up a controller once and .... I could never put it back together. I still have it. It’s laughable.

Those things always drove me crazy. Converted all of my UCS tracks/controllers to momentary or toggle switches. Much smoother operation and toss those controllers in the parts bin.

1/12/219:32 AM

❤️ 0

Pat KOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Sounds like a plan. Would you take a guess as to what is causing the heat?

1/12/219:39 AM

❤️ 0

TrainLarryOGR Forum Member

Incorrect wiring or a shorted coil in the UCS track.

Larry

1/12/2110:22 AM

❤️ 0

MEDOGR Forum Member

For your reference

Attachments

Hide

Images (1)

1/12/2110:32 AM

❤️ 0

Susan DeatsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Pat, here is detailed information on my website that was put together during restoration of UCS Controllers that were in my discard bin: See UCS Controller Repairs and Improvements (Schematics, Diagrams, and Instructions are Included.)

Attachments

Show

1/12/215:18 PM

❤️ 0

Pat KOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

quite a nice bit of information. Can you come to my house to perform the surgery??

1/12/215:58 PM

❤️ 0

hokie71OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Here are the details johnstrains mentioned. Susan is a better technician than I am and after 3 or so of the repairs she shows, I migrated the DPDT way to keep my sanity. I scribbled some wire color notes from my last project on these.