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Post by hoppy504 on Jul 31, 2014 9:47:23 GMT -5
I have just purchased a Rokuhan RC-02 Controller and power adapter to replace a older Marklin unit. Having connected it to the layout I appear to have a problem, my AZL locomotives just sit humming without any lights and a Marklin loco just sits completely silent. Are there any suggestions as to what I have overlooked? The mains adapter is a switching unit ( rkh7297411 ) for 110-240v. thanks, John. |
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Post by markm on Jul 31, 2014 14:03:48 GMT -5
John,
A couple of quick questions: have you put a meter cross the track? Have you tried running the RC-02 on batteries? Sort od sounds like a connection problem since the Marklin units start at a higher voltage than the AZL.
Mark
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Post by hoppy504 on Jul 31, 2014 16:12:35 GMT -5
I have tried running from battery power and adapter power with and without batteries installed.
I have put a meter across the output leads and get a max reading of approx. 12v. Then I touched a loco's wheels a number of times with the output leads at approx. 3/4 to max power, the wheels did turn for approx. 1 second then the power cutout on the controller operated each time.
John.
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Post by markm on Jul 31, 2014 16:23:44 GMT -5
John,
The controller should be able to supply about 800mA, well beyond what's needed to run any of the locos. Assuming there isn't a short in the feeder line, I'd start questioning the controller itself.
Mark
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Post by hoppy504 on Jul 31, 2014 16:39:52 GMT -5
I have just tested a GP30. on full power it ran a couple of inches at approx. 2mph making a loud humming noise then the controller cutoff operated.
I then tested a Marklin F7 also at full power, this did not move but made a faint humming noise.
I am now wondering if I have a internal controller fault.
John.
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Post by markm on Jul 31, 2014 17:34:24 GMT -5
John,
At this point, I think I'd avoid using your locos as test subjects. If you have a bit of electronics background and some resistors I can suggest so other troubleshooting methods. But, I'm sorry to say, you should probably check with the vendor to see about a replacement.
Mark
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Post by zscalehobo on Jul 31, 2014 18:47:42 GMT -5
I have just purchased a Rokuhan RC-02 Controller and power adapter to replace a older Marklin unit. Having connected it to the layout I appear to have a problem, my AZL locomotives just sit humming without any lights and a Marklin loco just sits completely silent. Are there any suggestions as to what I have overlooked? The mains adapter is a switching unit ( rkh7297411 ) for 110-240v. thanks, John. John: I agree with markm. Don't use your loks any longer on this controller. There was a batch of RC-02's that put out full power at any throttle setting (if I recall correctly). Rokuhan was doing a pretty good job at replacing these defective units, but you have to contact your dealer. It is unclear which adapter you are using (rkh7297411) ... It doesn't sound like it is the Rokuhan A011U which is a model GF12-US1210: zscalehobo.com/photos/rokuhan/a011u_zsh1.jpg wondering if you have been supplied the right type of AC pack for this controller. That may be another culprit. Side note: Meters such as DMM's are useless on these pulsed power packs. You need an oscilloscope to read the output. |
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Post by markm on Jul 31, 2014 23:10:01 GMT -5
Frank,
I have to disagree on your side note: my DMMs reliably correlate to 10mV with my oscilloscope, it's just a matter of picking a DMM with the right integration characteristics. Of course an analog meter has the integration designed in.
I hadn't heard about the RC-02 problem, thanks for the heads up.
Mark
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Post by hoppy504 on Aug 1, 2014 2:36:52 GMT -5
I did notice that after going to full power it took quite a period for the power to drop to zero, as if it had a delay built-in.
The adaptor box is marked AO11 not the AO11U you mentioned.
I did try the controller on batteries only, so can assume that the adapter is working ok.
John.
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Post by zscalehobo on Aug 1, 2014 8:36:51 GMT -5
markm:
Kebukawa of Rokuhan says: "By the way, you need to use oscilloscope if you want to check pulse signal condition." I had tried to measure across the tracks and was not getting any variation of the value. Which mode of the DMM are you using when you get it to function and what model of DMM? I will attempt to duplicate your findings.
hoppy504:
My customer who had a failed RC-02 was always measuring 12.5V across his tracks, very similar to your failure mode. OK, so you are in a non-USA location, then, and hence the a011. That sounds ok - I just wasn't familiar with that model # you had posted. Power holding and then dropping to zero... it sounds like a capacitive discharge effect. Something is wrong with your RC-02. Contact the dealer.
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Post by hoppy504 on Aug 1, 2014 9:13:08 GMT -5
At the moment I am in contact with Rokuhan Japan, they are being very helpful and also quick to respond.
I will advise of any future developments.
regards,
John.
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Post by markm on Aug 1, 2014 9:17:01 GMT -5
Frank,
I too will confirm my results this coming weekend. A while back I was characterizing my Snail unit which is also a Pulse Width Modulation throttle. I'm using a Radio Shack 22-812 DMM and making the DC measurements running a GP38-2 loco on my test track. It works because of the inductance of the loco motor and the long sample integration time of this DMM. My scope is a Tektronix (don't remember the model) and I used the RMS value calculated by the scope. I wouldn't expect it to work with all DMMs.
I haven't done the RC-02 yet but I'm assuming results like the Snail. I fully agree with Kebukawa-san that an oscilloscope is the only way to know the pulse shape, and I was a bit surprised myself how well the scope and meter correlated.
Enough techno-geek for now,
Mark
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Post by markm on Aug 19, 2014 22:59:16 GMT -5
Frank,
Well my weekend finally rolled around and I pulled out the scope and DMMs and throttles. The Snail throttle, which runs at a pulse rate of 60Hz, is readable on the DMM and correlates to 10-20mV. The RC-02 runs at a pulse rate of 22kHz, way too fast for my DMM to measure anything other than polarity and peak voltage. However, the RS 22-812 DMM has a pulse width measurement mode that is a good indicator that the throttle is working properly if the pulse width increases with throttle.
Mark
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Post by hoppy504 on Oct 26, 2014 12:22:59 GMT -5
Update.
I contacted Rokuhan Japan who after confirming my controller was faulty, put me in touch with their European distributor (Noch). They advised me to return the item to the UK retailer for replacement. At the time of returning the unit the dealer was out of stock, so I had to wait until last week for the replacement.
Having tested the new unit the speed control is amazing compared to my old controller.
Many thanks to Rokuhan and its colleagues for their help.
John.
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Post by Garth Hamilton on Nov 21, 2014 15:18:19 GMT -5
There is a big jump from Marklin throttle to Rokuhan RC02. first of all it has a automatic circuit breaker and it will trip at less than 1 amp load while the Marklin unit will supply enough to burn things and weld things on occasion, secondly it has constant lighting circuit. I use them all the time at shows on wall transformer power and the trip does not come quite as quickly as it does on battery power, with batteries installed, as soon as plug in your wall transformer the batteries are eliminated from the power grid. I can comfortably operate 2 MTL Geeps provided they do not have DCC on board, or 1 F unit from MTL that is of recent vintage and well run in. AZL I have no problem with GP38-2 and RDC I have run SD70/75's but do not have any in my stable at present. I also have no problems with most of my Marklin stuff but I know from experience if they are stiff from sitting on the shelf, the breaker in the RC02 will trip. For me best test is to use a pice of 220mm straight track using Rokuhan Track connector A008 between track and controller and then use the AZL RDC or MTL GP35 and if they run there is nothing wrong with the controller. I have 3 RC 02 1 RC001 and ! RC003 cause my show layout has 5 loops.
regards Garth
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