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Fixing A Short Circuit
Jose is having electrical problems with his layout and says:
“I have a problem that I hope someone can help me with? I purchased a Aristo craft also fa1. It was on sale because it needed work. Well I love to fix things so I brought it. The problem I found out was electrical. It would short out the transformer.
So off came the cab and I check the motors. The motors attach to a circuit board, Part #22000-68. There are two connections, one for each motor. I set it on the energized track and it shorted.
I then removed one connection and the motor started. I reconnected the other motor and again a short. So I reversed the process. I then disconnected the other motor and it ran. Again I reconnected the two and again it shorted.
Well the next thing I did was to bypass the circuit board. I rewired according to the circuit board connections. Shorted again. I then rewired a basic circuit and both motors ran. I checked and rechecked the circuit board for shorts, rewired according to the circuit board again and again and still it shorts out.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I disconnected the power board from the switch board. I rewired the switch board to the power and motor wires according to the circuit board connections and pop goes the weasel. I am no electrician but I was a mechanic and no a little about basic wiring. I have spent so much time in the garage working late into the night that my wife called me a mad scientist!
Has anyone ever run across this before? Can someone tell me what I can do? I am lost as to what to do next.”
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Note to Jose and other readers: Please note – feedback and comments are only opinions usually based on personal experiences. It is your responsibility to seek proper professional advice regarding electrical safety matters. We will not be responsible for any accidents, deaths or injuries based on anything that might be said on this blog.
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Hi Jose, Good to see another mechanic on board. I use to re wire entire looms that melted down which brings me to your problem when the computers first came on board in cars they said dont open them or you lose the warrantee so that was an invitation to open it and what did I find a break in the solder in the circuit board I resoldered it and guess what it worked so I am guessing that you have a short in the board and probably should completely replace it or just go DC. If you have a new circuit board and it still dont work maybe the original circuit board wireing was wrong to begin with so you need to change wires around. let us know how you make out. Tony P