Model Railway Forum

Hi.
I decided to upgrade my plastic Hornby controllers with a Gaugemaster dual panel controller (UD) which I fitted with the T1 transformer and the fitting kit. It worked for a few days then both outputs developed a fault. There was power going to both tracks (shown by the red light) but went out under load (ie when a locomotive was on the track). I sent it back to Gaugemaster who replaced both fets and it once again worked fine for a few days.
One side has now once again developed the same fault. Any ideas?
My gut reaction is there maybe a fault with the transformer. The fault didn't develop over prolonged use and it is well ventilated so I don't think there is any over-heating. It worked perfectly for a time so it is unlikely it has been wired up incorrectly (which I am pretty sure is not the case).
My layout operated fine with my previous controller though I have a mixture of insulfrog and electrofrog points - I don't think I have made any errors with respect to these. The only problem I have had in the past is with a diamond insulfrog crossing where some locomotives appeared to short-circuit as they travelled over it - I fixed this by applying nail varnish to the section of rail immediately adjacent to the frog. Can repeated shorting cause this type of fault with a controller?
I'm obviously reluctant to return it once again to Gaugemaster if there is a problem elsewhere. Thank you in advance for any help.

John

Hi
Gaugemaster controllers are very hardy and normally will take a lot of misuse! Whatever the cause it needs to be repaired.
I assume you're feeding each controllers input separately, one controllers input from one of the separate winding's of the T1. i.e one T1 winding to one controllers input the other winding to the other controller input and there is no connection between the two winding's or input connections. If so, its unlikely the transformer is causing the problem.
An overload/short circuit that somehow is not causing the built in cut out to operate is IMO the most likely culprit.
Are you using Common return with anything else feed from the T1? Is the T1 only feeding the two controllers?
Gaugemaster will repair again FOC so long you haven't tampered with the electronics.

Firstly, thanks Brian for the response.
The T1 is only supplying the panel controllers, one winding for each - it's as simple as it gets compared to what I am sure is possible!
'An overload/short circuit that somehow is not causing the built in cut out to operate is IMO the most likely culprit.' Are you suggesting this is due to a fault in the cut-out (and should be detectable and replaced by Gaugemaster) or a fault with my layout?

John

Certainly it seems as though the panel needs repairing and checking again. As you say one sides isn't showing any power to track LED lit.
As for the cause?? Impossible to say, but a double even triple check of all the layout and its wiring is well worth while!

Several years ago one of my GM controllers cut out due to a short and didn’t come back on line for over a hour.