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Minitrix loco with directional lighting not working correctly.

Frog
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Posts: 3
 Joined: 2008-03-05
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I have an 1990 vintage Minitrix loco with directional lighting that isn't lighting right.  It kind of looks like a trolley with lights that light up in the direction it is moving.  However, I took it apart to sort out some stalling, slow speed issues and can't seem to be able to get the lights to work right again.  I also put new bulbs in, little Model Power bullets.  It will light up correctly in one direction, lighting just the light on the side that is moving in but if I go the other direction, both front and back lights turn on.   What can I do to correct this?

 Doesn't seem to run much better either, it took me hours to figure out how to get the wheels back in the right place as apparently they are different on each side.  Clearly I don't know what I am doing...  Embarassed

 Thank you!

Frog


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Modeling BN & Santa Fe.



Submitted by Frog on Wed, 03/05/2008 - 14:45.

taz-n-rr
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Posts: 440
 Joined: 2006-04-28
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Frog, The directional

Frog,
 
The directional lighting would need to depend on properly installed and operating diodes to steer the current in the right direction to match the movement of the locomotive.  At least for a DC locomotive, and I suppose you have a DC locomotive.
 
Your description would be consistent with a diode failed short for the bulb that lights in both directions.  Or for that same diode maybe it is making electrical contact in the wrong place and it is being bypassed.
 
So check the installation of the light that lights in both directions.  Follow all the wiring and circuit boards related to the light and look carefully for things slightly out of place.  Look to the bulb that lights in one direction as a guide, by comparing you may see what is wrong with the bulb that lights in both directions. 
 
What might be more difficult to fix, would be a bad diode.  Depending if it is a component with wire leads, or surface mounted on a circuit board.  If looking at the installation (as described above) does not help, look to see what you would need to do to replace the diode.  If you have a meter you can test the diode to see if it is failed.
 
Charles



Thu, 03/06/2008 - 00:26

Frog
Frog's picture
Posts: 3
 Joined: 2008-03-05
Charles, Thanks for the

Charles,

 Thanks for the tips, I will give it another look-see to determine if it is indeed the diode or a short.  The good news, it seems to be running pretty good now after letting it go for awhile on a loop to run back in. 

 Frog


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Modeling BN & Santa Fe.



Fri, 03/07/2008 - 23:02

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