Large Scale Central

Help Please..Brand New FA-1 won't run on track power

Problem Solving
#1
I have  a brand new FA that has been sealed in box since 2006. I finally decided to crack it open, install a Phoenix PB11 and give it a run.  I put it on the track and turned up the juice...NOTHING. I checked the switches and everything was set correctly. Still...NOTHING, I hooked up powerpack through Battery input and slowly turned up the power and it ran awesomely and sounded super! I thought it may be a bad power switch on the board on the rear door. I had a complete new board so I replaced it. NOTHING! AAAAAAARGH!! I don't want to send it back for repair because who knows if I will ever see it again. Any suggestions or ideas on what could be wrong would be greatly appreciated.
Derrill
#2

Hi Derril,

Here’s a simple solution you might try as a last resort. Disconnect the power pickup wires from each truck (hopefully they have the little red jst connectors) and connect them to the battery car plugs on each end. Be careful about the polarity!!! Now, simply slide the switch to battery, and you’ll have track power. Switch to track power and you’ll have no power.

It may be really easy if the leads are long enough from the trucks to reach the end plugs. The red male jst plug can actually connect with the female battery car plug.

#3

Take off the body, might just have the track pickups un-plugged.

#4

Found the problem. Looks like someone at the factory unloaded their grease gun in both of the gearboxes. The copper contacts were completely covered and could not make contact with the wheels. After a thorough cleaning ad re-assemble they run great!