Large Scale Central

Really annoying RR stuff

General Discussion
#1

  1. This evening I noticed that one of the handrails is missing from my newly-kitbashed RS-3. I’m fairly certain it was still on when I parked it last night. I just went over the entire layout and can’t find it, and there really aren’t any places it could be easily hidden (i.e., no shrubs, grass etc.) I opened all the tunnels and thoroughly inspected them with a flashlight. Nothing! How does stuff just disappear like that?!?!

  2. After I purchased a regulated power supply last May, I had the lights turned on in my structures every night, all summer long, without a problem. When we started getting rain in the fall, I covered the buildings with plastic to protect them from mud, etc. In November I uncovered them, turned on the power, and discovered several bulbs not working. A cursory inspection showed no evidence of shorts or corrosion in the structure’s wiring, and the bulbs have dark smudges inside, typical of having burned out. Covered everything back up again, since I had no time to fix it. A couple weeks ago, I uncover it again, and now more bulbs are out! What the heck is the deal??? There has been no power to these structures the entire time they were covered. Rain water has not gotten into any of the buildings, although there is enough humidity inside to fog some of the windows.

#2

I don’t know about the mysterious burnt lights, but I lose detail parts off locos and cars all the time. Always look on the layout…rarely find the missing pieces.
Ralph

#3

murphy is all I can say

#4

Damned gremlins…I see they’ve migrated to California too…:wink:

Some where they have a pile of brake wheels, steps, guard rails, and other peices/parts stashed away…good luck trying to find it…:wink:

#5

I bet its those lizards.

#6

Ray,

The handrail makes a great headboard for mice…

Brian

#7

You’ll find the handrails as soon as you make the replacements.

I suspect those lizards are turning on the lights when you’re not looking.

#8

Check with a new bulb to see if you have power to the bldgs.
I bet the Lizards are stealing the wire and recycling it.

#9

John,
Lizards don’t recycle. They’re reselling it to the scrap metal dealers.

#10

That’s right!
I forgot you don’t get paid at the public recycle center.

#11

We have the resident track inspector in the basement. Her name is “Shadow”. She is very helpful in gathering small parts for me that I have misplaced. However, the problem I have is finding the place where she has gathered them for me. She likes to keep them safe. Such a nice kitty. :wink:

#12

Just a guess … the light problem is probably related to temperature. The burns on the inside of the bulbs are often present even when the bulb is functional, but has been used a lot; check your xmas lights for similar marks. But … all of that heat does tend to make the filament brittle, which is then exacerbated by the extreme cold/thaw/extreme cold/thaw often happening this time of year… and as it expands and contracts, it tends to break – which is why fewer are working even without having been turned on.

Oh, and check your e-mail…

Matthew (OV)

#13

Plastic will hold moisture. you need to vent the area like a little fan to circulate air out.
Thats the trouble I had. I stopped covering things with plastic for log periods of time.

Ray Dunakin said:
1. This evening I noticed that one of the handrails is missing from my newly-kitbashed RS-3. I'm fairly certain it was still on when I parked it last night. I just went over the entire layout and can't find it, and there really aren't any places it could be easily hidden (i.e., no shrubs, grass etc.) I opened all the tunnels and thoroughly inspected them with a flashlight. Nothing! How does stuff just disappear like that?!?!
  1. After I purchased a regulated power supply last May, I had the lights turned on in my structures every night, all summer long, without a problem. When we started getting rain in the fall, I covered the buildings with plastic to protect them from mud, etc. In November I uncovered them, turned on the power, and discovered several bulbs not working. A cursory inspection showed no evidence of shorts or corrosion in the structure’s wiring, and the bulbs have dark smudges inside, typical of having burned out. Covered everything back up again, since I had no time to fix it. A couple weeks ago, I uncover it again, and now more bulbs are out! What the heck is the deal??? There has been no power to these structures the entire time they were covered. Rain water has not gotten into any of the buildings, although there is enough humidity inside to fog some of the windows.
#14

I’ve noticed that myself to.

Bruce Chandler said:
You'll find the handrails as soon as you make the replacements.

I suspect those lizards are turning on the lights when you’re not looking.

#15

It’s those Chipmunks, gnawy little creatures.

#16

We have a couple of German Shepherd’s that have been known to eat parts of the layout. Like my damn trestle for example!

Jon.

#17

My little gremlin is my 18 month old son, loves to wander dads railroad and pick it apart, still missing the fire barrels for my trestle. Probably buried forever in his sandbox.

#18

My lovely bride keeps chickens and lets them out to “free range,” what ever that is. They do range freely over the layout, and like to scratch the ballast looking for their favorite bugs.

Those chickens are beginning to look like dinner, more and more. :lol: :stuck_out_tongue:

#19

Avoid all that stuff…!!!

#20

All of the bulbs are 16v, 30mA grain of rice style, from Miniatronics. They are all wired parallel. The regulated power supply is adjustable, I have it set to output 12v. I use very heavy Malibu wiring to get power from the source to the various sites of mines, towns, etc. I don’t recall the gauge off-hand but it’s thick stuff.

At the town site, the Malibu cables terminate at a junction. Heavy-duty speaker wire runs from the junction to each building. The buildings are connected to the speaker wire with a somewhat thinner wire. This is attached to a junction inside the building, and connects to the leads from the bulbs. In some cases there are two or more junctions inside the building – for instance, one for the downstairs and one for upstairs.

What I suspect is happening is that the material used to the seal the bottom of the bulbs (where the leads go into the glass) is failing, either due to moisture or cold. Not enough to be visible but just enough to let air into the bulb. Then the filament burns out instantly the moment power is switched on.

So on each of the new bulbs, I’m covering that area with a thin coat of clear silicone sealant. This is flexible and weatherproof, and should prevent any leaks. Only time will tell.