Aristo-craft Train Engineer Transmitter CRE 55470 Repair

[JimmyB]

When I bought my TE it came with an additional hand-set, known to be faulty, described as "not binding" though I find that it will intermittently operate one of my accessory controllers.
Considering it would handy to have a fully functioning spare I am looking to get it repaired, especially as getting a replacement would seem to be very difficult, so I am looking for advice on is it feasible or even possible, and if it is who and where. So GSC members please advise, many thanks.

 

[Gizzy]

I've managed to repair these in the past, certainly a long time ago, but intermittent faults are hard to trace. Check the battery terminals are clean, and the aerial screw is tight.

It could be a dry joint on the circuit board. If any look to be dull, then you could remake the joint with a solder iron....

 

[JimmyB]

Gizzy, many thanks, batteries and terminal checked when it first arrived, and Mike seemed to think the frequency may have "wandered".

 

[PhilP]

...

Mike seemed to think the frequency may have "wandered".

Then without specialist equipment, it is only really good for spare-parts, or as a paperweight..

Even the OEM might not have the equipment to diagnose/repair a RF fault (if that is what it is). - OEM may use a commercial 'building-block' RF section.

 

[Gizzy]

Gizzy, many thanks, batteries and terminal checked when it first arrived, and Mike seemed to think the frequency may have "wandered".

From what I remember, there is an adjustment to change the frequency? As it seems to work for accessories, it might just need a slight tweak with a small screwdriver. It might be something worth trying....

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Yep, more than just the frequency, but the tuning of various circuits.

An experienced person could re-tune the transmitter (I have done so)... but an inexperienced person will usually make it non-functional.

And you cannot learn how to do this from a forum, sorry. Don't do it. If you have an electrical engineer friend that understands RF or a Ham radio operator that would probably do the trick. A really experienced person can do it without test equipment to a fair degree.

But the bottom line here is you have a spare plastic case and display and keyboard.

Greg

 

[JimmyB]

Greg, many thanks, I have no intention of trying any remedial work myself, mechanical engineering is my forte, and I know a little about electrics and electronics, but avionics is beyond my knowledge base, and was hoping somebody could point in the the direction of a qualified repairer.

 

[Gizzy]

I was hoping somebody could point in the the direction of a qualified repairer.

As this is quite old equipment, but still very good kit IMHO, I doubt if it is supported anymore. It's quite some time since I had one myself; I went to the 'Dark Side' of DCC many years ago now.

Maybe Neil R might have some experience and knowledge....

 

[GAP]

As the thing runs on 27MHz possibly look for a CB radio club who may have the equipment to test it.

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Jimmy
Even though I included the 'non-functioning' handset free in the sale of the other TE equipment, I did feel that it could be made to work with the correct knowhow.
The fact that it appears to be working (display etc are on) and it 'intermittently' works with one of the accessory units it does seem to be as I described, an 'RF' problem.
There is one main adjuster and two other smaller ones. These are the RF signal adjusters.
You could sit, have the accessory unit doing its 'search' and very very gradually adjust the main one until perhaps you get a better and more consistent 'bind'.
A good idea is to, with a fine white marker pen, make a mark on the adjuster screw and the casing it sits in, so as to be able to return it to the present position after your 'fiddling'.
Of course you will have to end up trying all of the 'adjuster' one by one and in tandem with each other as you make stabs in the dark to get the correct RF frequency.

As Greg and Tac have said, if you can 'google' a local CB radio group that still use 27mhz, they may well be able to help you retune it.
Here is a link to a forum etc: CB Radio Use - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum
Give them that table of frequencies the I sent you in the pm

 

[Greg Elmassian]

There is more to the tuning than just the center frequency, notice the number of "cans" inside.

The mark on the can where the original adjustment was is not sufficient in this case, not accurate enough. There is an easier, higher precision way, but again I am loathe to mention it since 99% of the time it results in the unit not working at all.

I continue to advise to not do it yourself. I'm a degreed electrical engineer and ham radio operator and it's not simple for me to do it without instruments.

Greg

 

[Neil Robinson]

Maybe Neil R might have some experience and knowledge....

In this case I can only reinforce Greg's advice in posts number 6 and 11.
My little formal electronics education dates from the late 1960s and early 70s and I've never got into radio stuff.
I have found that replacing any iffy surface mount tactile switches isn't too difficult but I don't think that's the problem in this case.

 

[JimmyB]

First, thanks one and all, my job next week is to find a professional to assess to the problem, and determine the cost effectiveness of repair, the single working hand set being the weak link in the system.

 

[dutchelm]

One handset is not a weak link. Each handset will operate 10 receivers. The weakest link is you as you only have 2 hands.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I agree with Jimmy, the single throttle means nothing runs if it fails. I bought a new Zimo system and ordered 2 throttles... not cheap, but when one of them went away for 4 months, it was worth it.

If you can avoid all "single point of failure" items, stuff will keep running no mater what.

Greg

 

[JimmyB]

Greg, my very point.

 

[JimmyB]

Interesting development, I have this compulsion to try things that don't work, just to see if they have started working again
This morning switching the transmitter on no LED's quick check and the new batteries I fitted last week are flat , I know I switched it off, and it also has a auto off. This would suggest a power leak, either before the switch, or a faulty switch. Nothing to loose as the back is already off, just four screws and the circuit-board is off. I would say that the unit had been wet at sometime, light corrosion on a number of steel items and a lot of the joints extremely dull. So just got to find me an electronics professional now!

 

[PhilP]

Interesting development, I have this compulsion to try things that don't work, just to see if they have started working again

And?

 

[JimmyB]

And?

Catch me when I had to edit, clicked the wrong button and published early

 

[PhilP]

So has it been wet?
OR
Has a set of batteries leaked at some point in the past??