MRC 260, overload ? why ?

[csxfan]

I just bought MRC 260 controler and connect it to my 60 feet layout and try to run first only one loco testing it. It runs a few inches and then it stops, the controler indicating the function OVERLOAD. I don´t understand, what´s wrong ? What does it mean, overload ? What´s the problem here ? How can I fix what ? Please help, thanks.

[Larry]

There could be 2 or 3 things wrong. If this is your 1st controller there's probably a short in the track wiring. maybe a wire crossed from one rail to the other. Another thing there might be a wire loose in the engine & it is touching the frame. Do you have any accessories hooked to the DC side of your transformer?

[csxfan]

so it is a short, but where, perhaps in the feeder track I cannot see, no, the loco is fine, and there´s nothing hooked to the AC for accessories.

[Larry]

Are you using sectional or flex track? Are you running a Buss wire w/drops from ea. rail? Sometimes if one wheel on an engine is derailed it will cause a short. You could have a wire touching another wire someplace on the layout.
I'll keep coming up w/idea's when you answer the above.

[bnsf971]

Take the locomotive off the track, and open the throttle. If you still get an overload, look at the layout. If not, look at the locomotive.

[Larry]

Originally Posted by bnsf971

Take the locomotive off the track, and open the throttle. If you still get an overload, look at the layout. If not, look at the locomotive.

Thanks, forgot about that shortcut.

[csxfan]

no, I´m using bachmann e track, but to connect this controller I had to use a standard power terminal, disconnecting my DCC, of course.
b

[trailrider]

As was posted, take the loco off the track and turn on the power, turning up the control knob slowly from 0-100. If the overload indication comes on, there is something wrong with the track circuit. If that happens, disconnect the 260 from the track. Turn it on and turn the knob up again. If no overload, then take a separate piece of track long enough to place the engine on, and turn up the power. (WATCH OUT THE ENGINE DOESN'T RUN OFF THE PIECE OF TRACK!) If you have another locomotive, try it on the track. If the engine runs okay, and there is no overload, you know for sure there is a short in your layout...somewhere. The trick is to run that down.

Next, re-examine your layout. Is there a hidden reverse loop somewhere? These can be tricky if the track layout is complicated enough. Check your control panel, if you have one, to be sure a wire didn't come loose somewhere, and is shorting against another wire or terminal post. (I just had a wire from a turnout switch machine break loose, so the turnout wouldn't throw one of the routes. Apparently worked loose when I opened the panel to install an auxilliary on/off switch for a traffic light!) Check your bus wires and feeders. If you have DCC, you may have inadvertantly connected a feeder wire to the wrong rail.
Best of luck!

[bnsf971]

Originally Posted by Larry

Thanks, forgot about that shortcut.

That's why they call me Mr. Obvious.

[csxfan]

thank you all guys, it´s gotta be a short somewhere, and yes the layout is very complicated, two levels with over 300 feet, with only one standard terminal track, or one DCC rerailer if I run DCC only, the problem is I don´t know much about electrical connections and polarity, my big amount of turnouts is a mess with many loops.