Easy Troubleshooting DC Problems With A Multimeter - Model Railroading For Beginners - Ep 19

In This Video We Discuss Easy Troubleshooting With Your Multimeter On Your Model Railroad. Here are basic instructions on hoe to test your system from the power supply to the track.

I show the beginners easy steps to take when testing out your wiring when something goes wrong. This is just the first of many more videos where we will troubleshoot problems on your model railroad.

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Disclaimers: all opinions are my own, sponsors are acknowledge.
Intended for viewers over the age of 14

[TrackRemaster]

My Bachmann Henry wasn't going more than half a rotation of the wheels even though it was getting power. I used the 9V trick and discovered it was a problem with the coupling rods, and how they weren't straight! fixed them, tightened them up and now I have an actual railroad. Thanks so much!

[shadowryder]

Just the ticket! Thanks so much man. Just what I needed to see. That 9v battery trick to check engines is handy to know.

[ZanesTrains]

Great 9 volt battery tip that would be useful knowing me I would bring a portable layout to a train show just to test equipment. Multimeters are great I've had one for a long time now i don't know how I lived without one. It brings the guessing out of troubleshooting. Thanks for sharing.

[raybertelsen]

I want to say this was a great video. I am rebuilding a layout thats both dc/dcc but the basics are the same, I will share with some of the newbies that are quite a few miles from me. I try to xplane things but now they can see what I am saying thx

[graemepalmer]

Tom, many thanks for your response. Enjoy watching your videos. Graeme Albany WA

[danhampson]

Lovely video Tom. I went to model club last night and my loco didn't work. I've got to get a multimeter and fix it. This video is really helpful. Many thanks, Dan

[Apache-fmtc]

thank you, thank you . great tips in the video . the 9 volt trick is awesome . I've got to get a multi - Meter takes the guessing out of finding electrical issues .

[johnbanicki]

Nice meter. Great video on how to do some troubleshooting of the electrical system.

[swiv]

Thanks so much for this vid..It helped so much! but need more info on the multimeter settings for each test. My meter has a bunch of different things listed. I get the general idea tho

[darylhitchcock]

so as I understand a DPDT switch will solve that, ... and the AR1 which is now unpluged should just pick that up when I get to my DCC implementation. THank You Very Much for your time
I do certainly enjoy the channel.

[choochoocharlie]

Thank you Tom!! I never knew with 9V volt battery does that. I learn everyday with this hobby

[fredsmith]

This is exactly what I needed! I have an old DC set that isn't working. I'll get a multi-meter and a 9v and check it out!

[jackielinde]

3:35 - What you're holding is the throttle, and it's probably just a rheostat switch to control how much electricity is making it to the rails. The "wall wart" is the actual transformer. That consists of a transformer coil to step the voltage down from 115 VAC to 12 VAC, a rectifying bridge to change it from VAC to VDC, and (hopefully) some capacitors to smooth out the current.

I remember the OLD SCHOOL throttles that were all-in-one units with the coils, rectifier bridge, capacitors, rheostat for controlling power to the rails, and even an unswitched power tabs to run accessories like lights and motorized switches. But the name "transformer" follows the coils and rectifying bridges, not the rheostat.

[darylhitchcock]

Yes Sir.... you are absolutely correct.... I am currently making sure all track runs smooth.
I have yet to connect my Digitrax Zephyer, and running a DC power supply .
At the 12 o'clock postion it is producing 11.5 volts / at the 3 o'clock position it reads 15.2. Both the main lines and the reverse loop are reading same voltages. (within 1/2 a volt)
The light on the AR1 is green or red solid... This is N scale and currently using DC Locos for track testing prior to implementing DCC.

[jamesstever]

Great video. Tom you helped me out to troubleshooting

[jkou]

Thank you for the great video. Setting up our Christmas tree layout and the Railpower 1300 doesn’t seem to be working. I will find my old meter and test it out.

[MMRails]

Good one Tom. I don't have anything witty to say, I think my amps are low. -Mark

[ranimus]

thank you for this. i use bachman transformer and tracks. i intially thought the issue was the wire connecting power to the track since it was worn near the ends from pulling but still hass issues. my trains wouldnt run unless i put the power up to 70-90 and would have some sudden stops while running.

[JerryCastafero]

Tom, I have a DC HO track system. I cannot seem to get power to the track itself despite testing many sections. The multimeter measures 15 V at the transformer. Have you had to find a location on the track that has power sometimes the train will move about an inch every 10 seconds or so. Any further advice how to break this down and find the possible short?

[lithiumlounge]

I have the same one pictured in your video and I tore that thing apart looking for something burnt because it smelled like something was burnt I didn’t find anything so I just threw it out I wish I would’ve watched this video first to see