Controller enquiry

delivery of oblivion

delivery of oblivion

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Hello Everyone..I just purchased a Gaugemaster GMC -10 LGB 2.5 amp single track G Scale controller...Am thinking does this need a transformer separately.I assumed you just plugged it in to the wall,connected your track to the top two terminals on the far right at the rear of the unit and away u go...? Could someone advise please....if so,wehat transformer do i need...cannot see an input for one at all..?Thank you..Ade
 
delivery of oblivion said:
Hello Everyone..I just purchased a Gaugemaster GMC -10 LGB 2.5 amp single track G Scale controller...Am thinking does this need a transformer separately.I assumed you just plugged it in to the wall,connected your track to the top two terminals on the far right at the rear of the unit and away u go...? Could someone advise please....if so,wehat transformer do i need...cannot see an input for one at all..?Thank you..Ade
Click to expand...
Hello Ade, I think I can answer your question, although I am a newbie here myself. As far as I’m aware, the controller you have just purchased has a transformer built into the casing & therefore no additional power supply is needed, so you’re good to go.
 
Hi Ade - no separate transformer needed, it's built in. Looking at the picture of the back of the unit on the Gaugemaster website, it looks as if there is a six-terminal 'chocolate block', only four of which are used. As long as you connect your track connector to the red and black wires (to the right), you'll be fine. Any problems, contact Gaugemaster, they are very helpful.

I started out with one of these many years ago and it was very reliable but I soon outgrew it as my empire expanded!

M
 
Presumably it has a lead and 3 pin plug in place? I use a 3A fuse for mine.
 
Thank you all for your replies.....SoWhatsApp Image 2025-08-24 at 13.07.02_869cd661.jpg
rhaetianfan said:
Hi Ade - no separate transformer needed, it's built in. Looking at the picture of the back of the unit on the Gaugemaster website, it looks as if there is a six-terminal 'chocolate block', only four of which are used. As long as you connect your track connector to the red and black wires (to the right), you'll be fine. Any problems, contact Gaugemaster, they are very helpful.

I started out with one of these many years ago and it was very reliable but I soon outgrew it as my empire expanded!

M
Click to expand...
Thank you very much..So i actually connect my wires to the red and black wires which are in the bottom far right two terminals.I was connecting mine to the corresponding 2 terminals above those...???
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-24 at 13.07.02_869cd661.jpg
 
Thank you very much..So i actually connect my wires to the red and black wires which are in the bottom far right two terminals.I was connecting mine to the corresponding 2 terminals above those...???

The terminals above the red and black wires connect to the wires below through a solid brass core, so it is easier to wire your connection to the terminals above. The connector on the back of your unit is offset compared to the picture on the Gaugemaster website, but the label is in the correct place!

M
 

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In his post above, Martyn ( viaEstrecha viaEstrecha ) was implicitly asking if it "has a lead and 3 pin plug in place". My guess is, if it had, you wouldn't have needed to ask the question. Your photo cuts off just before answering the question one way or the other. Might a previous owner (have inexplicably) removed it?

Cheers

David
 
SevenOfDiamonds said:

​

In his post above, Martyn ( viaEstrecha viaEstrecha ) was implicitly asking if it "has a lead and 3 pin plug in place". My guess is, if it had, you wouldn't have needed to ask the question. Your photo cuts off just before answering the question one way or the other. Might a previous owner (have inexplicably) removed it?

Cheers

David
Click to expand...
The warning label above, says not to 'common' to AC terminals between controllers, as you would get 'mains' voltage on the pins of an unplugged plug-top.

From this, I infer that the controller does have a fitted mains lead.

I think this, and what the OP had found on the Interweb, has confuddled him.
The question was to put his mind at rest.

Gaugemaster also produce controllers, which do require input from a separate transformer / supply, so this may also have muddied the waters?

PhilP.
 
I would hope it has a BS1363 13A 3 pin plug fitted to the mains cable. This has been a legal requirement for some time now.

If not, then I would return it to the seller....
 
rhaetianfan said:
Thank you very much..So i actually connect my wires to the red and black wires which are in the bottom far right two terminals.I was connecting mine to the corresponding 2 terminals above those...???

The terminals above the red and black wires connect to the wires below through a solid brass core, so it is easier to wire your connection to the terminals above. The connector on the back of your unit is offset compared to the picture on the Gaugemaster website, but the label is in the correct place!

M
Click to expand...
Thank u for the info..in which case my unit does not work then,as this is what i have done,wired through the top terminals.The red light on the front of the controller does not come on either at all....regardless of position of dial and forward reverse switch.Think i`ll have to return to seller...It is a brand new unit.
 
delivery of oblivion said:
Thank u for the info..in which case my unit does not work then,as this is what i have done,wired through the top terminals.The red light on the front of the controller does not come on either at all....regardless of position of dial and forward reverse switch.Think i`ll have to return to seller...It is a brand new unit.
Click to expand...
Before you do that, have you checked ghe fuse in the plug? From what i know if GaugeMaster its very rare for them to produce a dud
 
Gaugemaster offer a Lifetime guarantee so you could return it to them. As a neighbour found out when an item he had bought secondhand, that guarantee is still honoured.
 
delivery of oblivion said:
Thank u for the info..in which case my unit does not work then,as this is what i have done,wired through the top terminals.The red light on the front of the controller does not come on either at all....regardless of position of dial and forward reverse switch.Think i`ll have to return to seller...It is a brand new unit.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately my two controllers are now disconnected from the track since I went to dead rail, but I have a very vague recollection that the red LED only came on when there was a load, ie loco on track. On the controller I retain in use (which I use for point motors), there is certainly output to the AC terminals when there is nothing connected to the track and the LED is unlit.
 
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