Williams F7 Reversing Unit

Try running it off the transformer without using the remote.

I'll have to dig out another transformer because this set doesn't have a controller.

Make sure that you have at least one lighted car on the track. Some sontrol systems will not go to zero volts without sufficient load.

My WbB locos will not run correctly with a MTH transformer. On my test bench I have to disconnect the power leads to get the WbB DCU to cycle....found this the hard way after replacing one!!!! Like stated a lighted car and/or track power clip will help.

The WBB F7 set has 2 incandescent bulbs in them already, why would another light on the track be needed?  Are 3 bulbs needed?

I didn't try  it with the dummy A.  Tomorrow I'll dig out mt myCW-80 and try itwith the dummy attached.

I have several Williams engines, and all work fine off my Z1000's. Having said this, the Williams reverse units seem to require some voltage to the track to sequence. I leave a little power on the track and use the Direction button on the Z1000 to sequence the reverse unit, which works fine.

I think it has to do with needing a bulb 'outside' of the control of the DCU. IIRC my BEEP will not cycle on a MTH transformer either. I use a Z500 on my bench so it may differ than a Z1000.

The Williams/WBB bulbs are 'outside' of the control of the DCU or any other electronics or reversing unit.  They are just wired to track power.

All of my Williams and WBB Engines run and reverse fine on my Z4k

My youngest son has a Z1000 on his layout and has no problems with WBB engines either in operation or in cycling through the forward-neutral-reverse-neutral-forward sequence.  WBB horns and bells operate just fine with the 1000 too.

I'm guessing you have a problem either with the reversing board itself or, possibly, a disconnected wire.

Curt

Joe,

Take the shell off the chassis and see what is inside! Sounds more like somebody did a re-wire job or circuit board replacement than a bad circuit board.

If it had a switch for direction it is a mini switch mounted underneath the chassis usually by the fuel tank area.

Also what is the cab number and or stock number from Williams?

Williams has made the F-7's for many years, almost 24 years, first Jerry Williams produced the F-7's for Williams, next Bachmann made F-7's for Williams. To trouble shoot correctly you need to give more information!!

Also get rid of any remote control stuff, for the moment, to properly trouble-shoot the F-7. Do you have any Realtrax switches in the layout?

Test your Williams engine without any switches or remote control items and then see what happens.

Lee Fritz

Lee,

It is a new sealed in the box Great Northern F7, Item # 20710 made by Williams by Bachmann.  There is no switch for the direction however the slot for the mini switch is present.  I was tessting on a small loop with no switches.  Tonight when I get home I'll set up a small lionel fast track loop with a CW-80 and see what happens.  If reverse only I guess it goes back to bachmann.

Joe

Joe,

Contact Bachmann ASAP! Do not attempt to open the unit!

Have your sales receipt handy as well and see what Bachmann tells you.

FYI, Bachmann had a batch of bad circuit boards from China a while back and you may have one in your engine.

Lee Fritz

Thanks....I was going of memory! Maybe we are talking different generations of MTH transformers??? Both my Z-500 and Z-750 will not operate William/WBB locos but work 100% fine on MTH locos. BUT....they are 1990's era units and who knows if this was altered over the years.

If your units are brand new WBB will fix them and that's the route I'd go. If bought used spend the $25 for a new DCU it's an easy swap.

I have about ten older Williams, before Bachmann, for years and have no problems with them! It don't really matter what type of transformer you use with the older Williams engines. If the engine is going to run, it will run. You don't need to add anything to the track unless your transformer is bad, the transformer should shut off completely between direction changing.

These newer Williams by Bachmann have some quality issues with them, circuit boards are bad from day one to not working at all.

Lee Fritz

Wellthe CW-80 with no remote didn't solve the issue.  must be a bad board back to Bachmann with it

Williams by Bachmann Replaced my balky F7 powered A unit with a new set of F7 A-As.  Testing the new set with with anMTH Z-750 from an early Railking set, it cycled through F-N-R just fine, however no bell or whistle.  I will swap out the transformer with a Z-1000 to see if I get sounds with that one.  After years of satisfaction with Williams and Williams by Bachmann products this is the secon, and possibly third, new unit with bad electronis right out of the box in little over a year.  I hope this doesn't continue because WbB engines are about all I can afford new this days.

Joe

All my Williams units work great with MTH Z-1000 transformers. My Z-1000 are 2008 units. In fact, better than any Lionel transformer I own. I am skeptical about you having 3 bad Williams units. I do not believe that Williams has a bad run of electronics. Try going to the Bachman trains web site forum and ask there.

Rob

Just tried out the F7 with a Z1000 and no horn or bell.  This unit replaced a F7 power unit that would only travel in reverse.  I guess the GN F7s got more than their share of bad boards.  I guess back to Bachmann again.  Two bad I had to wait seven weeks for a broken replacement.