Is this the most dangerous thing you've ever seen?

[flatcat]

Hello

I got this the other day:








The previous owners said they just wrapped the wires around the track and it worked. Apparently side affects were that it sparked and gave electric shocks!

What they have done is to prise the unit apart, wire in the power clip, and then just wrap the bare wires around the track. The mains plug is not the original either



I think i'll put it in the bin


Damo

[Richard]

I think i'll put it in the bin

Damo, I hope that you're just going to put the wire in the bin and NOT the transformer too?

It is very easy to put a new "mains plug" on the transformer. Especially in the UK. As I remember, many appliances are sold without a "mains plug" and you have to attach one that fits your style electrical outlet.

Do you have a meter to check the output of your transformer?

Also, would you please take a close-up photo of the wire connectors on the transformer? Are they damaged at all?

Sorry to be such a bother, but I would like to help you save the transformer if possible. And, also see whether or not it should also be thrown into your dustbin. As my grandmother used to say, "Better safe than sorry." ...

All the best,
Richard

[flatcat]

Damo, I hope that you're just going to put the wire in the bin and NOT the transformer too?

It is very easy to put a new "mains plug" on the transformer. Especially in the UK. As I remember, many appliances are sold without a "mains plug" and you have to attach one that fits your style electrical outlet.

Do you have a meter to check the output of your transformer?

Also, would you please take a close-up photo of the wire connectors on the transformer? Are they damaged at all?

Sorry to be such a bother, but I would like to help you save the transformer if possible. And, also see whether or not it should also be thrown into your dustbin. As my grandmother used to say, "Better safe than sorry." ...

All the best,
Richard

The mains plug looks as if it should work - it's just not the original.

Here is a pic of my current one (left) and the one in question (right)




They are both from the same trainset (4032) but the casing is all chewed up where someone has got in. There are no metal sleeves for a connection

Also, while I am here, I could do with a quick lesson on the transformer. My main question is what is the pins for on the left hand side for?



Damo

[flatcat]

Forgot to say I have a meter - but where do I stick it?

Damo

[Richard]

Here is a pic of my current one (left) and the one in question (right)

They are both from the same trainset (4032) but the casing is all chewed up where someone has got in. There are no metal sleeves for a connection

Damo, my advice (for what it's worth) is to put the "one in question (right)" in the dustbin ... along with all the wires!

Also, while I am here, I could do with a quick lesson on the transformer. My main question is what is the pins for on the left hand side for?

The pins on the "left hand side" labled 14V~ 5VA, are for accessories. If you had some 14 volt electric street lights that you wanted on when you were running your train, you would plug them in there. Also if you had some electric switches (turnouts) that needed constant power, you would plug them in there.

The only real difference between the top connectors and the connectors on the left hand side is ... the top connectors supply variable voltage that's controlled by the knob to vary the speed of your train ... And, the left hand side connectors supply constant voltage for any accessories such as lights, switches, etc.

You can plug your meter into the top connectors to check your voltage output which should vary between 0 to 14 volts. (Or, your side connectors which should supply a constant 14 volts.) BE SURE TO CONNECT THE RED WIRE OF YOUR METER TO THE RED CONNECTOR OF YOUR METER AND THE RED CONNECTOR OF YOUR TRANSFORMER ... AND, BE SURE TO CONNECT THE BLACK WIRE OF YOUR METER TO THE BLACK CONNECTOR OF YOUR METER AND THE BLACK CONNECTOR OF YOUR TRANSFORMER!

[flatcat]

Damo, my advice (for what it's worth) is to put the "one in question (right)" in the dustbin ... along with all the wires!

OK, will do!



The pins on the "left hand side" labled 14V~ 5VA, are for accessories. If you had some 14 volt electric street lights that you wanted on when you were running your train, you would plug them in there. Also if you had some electric switches (turnouts) that needed constant power, you would plug them in there.

The only real difference between the top connectors and the connectors on the left hand side is ... the top connectors supply variable voltage that's controlled by the knob to vary the speed of your train ... And, the left hand side connectors supply constant voltage for any accessories such as lights, switches, etc.

You can plug your meter into the top connectors to check your voltage output which should vary between 0 to 14 volts. (Or, your side connectors which should supply a constant 14 volts.) BE SURE TO CONNECT THE RED WIRE OF YOUR METER TO THE RED CONNECTOR OF YOUR METER AND THE RED CONNECTOR OF YOUR TRANSFORMER ... AND, BE SURE TO CONNECT THE BLACK WIRE OF YOUR METER TO THE BLACK CONNECTOR OF YOUR METER AND THE BLACK CONNECTOR OF YOUR TRANSFORMER!

Thank you very much for this valuable information, Richard -  it is most helpful indeed

Damo

[schluss]

Hi !

I´ve seen more dangerous things in my life allround the world....

The modified main plug (to fit into UK-mains) seems to be OK.

The secondary side of the transformer does not fulfill European standards, but due to the fact that it should be low voltage there is no serious danger for persons.

But I would like to see the inside of that Transformer.

So please before you follow Richards advice and throw into the bin (very good advice):

Open it and show us the inside.
(guess that it looks horrible...)

Rainer

[flatcat]

Hi !

I´ve seen more dangerous things in my life allround the world....

The modified main plug (to fit into UK-mains) seems to be OK.

The secondary side of the transformer does not fulfill European standards, but due to the fact that it should be low voltage there is no serious danger for persons.

But I would like to see the inside of that Transformer.

So please before you follow Richards advice and throw into the bin (very good advice):

Open it and show us the inside.
(guess that it looks horrible...)

Rainer

Here is the inside:









Damo

[Richard]

Here is the inside:

Hmmm ...

Actually, Damo, the "inside" is in pretty good shape!

However, I still think that you should put it in the dustbin, unless someone who knows electronics (and can solder) wants to fix it up. If I were in the UK, rather than the US, I would offer to test it and fix it for you.

All the best,
Richard

[flatcat]

Hmmm ...

Actually, Damo, the "inside" is in pretty good shape!

However, I still think that you should put it in the dustbin, unless someone who knows electronics (and can solder) wants to fix it up. If I were in the UK, rather than the US, I would offer to test it and fix it for you.

All the best,
Richard

That's what I thought, and I can solder.

But it is too risky to fiddle about with, and anyway, the case got completely mashed up.

So I will put it all in the bin (I saved the knob!)

Damo