Troubleshooting Help with new HO Set

[NewtoTrainsNW]

My son has loved trains forever and finally for his 13th birthday last week he got a Bachmann EZ-Track Pacific Flyer set (HO). Both he and I (his father) are new to model trains. When we set it up, we were not able to get the thing operational. I have searched the internet and found a few helpful videos and done some troubleshooting, but we are stuck! Here is what I have tried so far.

1. With a multimeter, I have verified the AC/DC wall adapter is working and there is current (17 V output).

2. With a 9V battery, I tested the train engine and it worked. I also used a 9V battery with the engine on the tracks, and it took worked.

3. When I plug the adapter into the control box, there is a red light that is illuminated. I do not know how to test the output thought the control box, or what to look for when I unscrew the back of it.

4. The red wires that connect between the track and control box seem to be fine on inspection. Again, I have no way of knowing it is or is not carrying a current.

He bought the set new online. We live more than 1 hour away from the nearest model train place. Any tips/tricks or things to try to make the set work for my son would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bruette]

It sounds like you have a connection problem between the transformer (control box) and the track. You can measure the voltage across the tracks to be sure.

how to test the output though the control box

With nothing on the tracks and everything connected turn the dial on the transformer to a high setting and measure the voltage at the rails. If you have nothing at the tracks disconnect all the track except for the feeder section (the section of track the wire connects to) and check again for voltage at the rails.

If you have voltage at the feeder section, check the rail joiners carefully as you connect the rest of the track.

If you have no voltage at the tracks, check the continuity between each end of the wire that runs from the transformer to the track. Unplug the wire from the transformer before checking the continuity. You can put a piece of wire into the track and transformer connections if your test leads don't fit.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

My son has loved trains forever and finally for his 13th birthday last week he got a Bachmann EZ-Track Pacific Flyer set (HO). Both he and I (his father) are new to model trains. When we set it up, we were not able to get the thing operational. I have searched the internet and found a few helpful videos and done some troubleshooting, but we are stuck! Here is what I have tried so far.

1. With a multimeter, I have verified the AC/DC wall adapter is working and there is current (17 V output).

2. With a 9V battery, I tested the train engine and it worked. I also used a 9V battery with the engine on the tracks, and it took worked.

3. When I plug the adapter into the control box, there is a red light that is illuminated. I do not know how to test the output thought the control box, or what to look for when I unscrew the back of it.

4. The red wires that connect between the track and control box seem to be fine on inspection. Again, I have no way of knowing it is or is not carrying a current.

He bought the set new online. We live more than 1 hour away from the nearest model train place. Any tips/tricks or things to try to make the set work for my son would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hi! Welcome to the forums, sorry to hear that you're having trouble. Without seeing how your controller is setup, I'm just taking an educated guess, but it sounds like your wires from the controller to the track may be connected to the AC accessory terminals on the controller. The reason I say this, is because 17 volts sounds a bit high. Normal track voltage is anywhere from 0 when the control knob is at "stop" to a max of 12 to 14 volt for full power, also, basic DC locomotives like what is usually included in train sets won't run on AC. If that doesn't help, I would suggest contacting Bachmann to see if they have any solutions. Hope this helps.

 

[Bruette]

 

[Iron Horseman]

4. The red wires that connect between the track and control box seem to be fine on inspection. Again, I have no way of knowing it is or is not carrying a current.

Actually yes you do. You said there was a multimeter. Set the meter for "ohms" zero it out and test from one end of the wire to the other. If the meter probe can't get to the contacts inside the flat part of the wire us a sewing pin or a paper clip to be able to get to "reach" inside. Each wire should show zero ohms.

You also need to test the piece of track the wire plugs into to make certain the electrical contacts are getting to the rail. Same process as above. Looking for ohms of zero from one pin to one rail, and the other pin to the other rail.

The other way to do it is with your 9v battery. With the red wire plugged into the track, touch the battery to the rail and test for volts across the two portions of the pin on the power pack side of the wire.