Model Railway Forum

I have just fitted lighting to a Hornby Maunsell coach and it does not work . I have, this time, used the DCC Concepts springs which go around the axles on a bogie - one spring on each axle (+/-). I have made sure that the wheels have been re-fitted the right way round - the plastic insulating bushes are on opposite sides. When placed on the track the lights do not work, if I apply power (jump lead) to the wheels or springs, the lights do not work. If I apply power to the solder connection on the spring, which, via wires takes the power to the light bar, the lights work. I am sure the problem is staring me in the face. Any ideas??

Are the axles clean allowing power to pass from the axle to the spring. I take it there is a good connection between the wheel and the axle.
If it works touching the solder it should work touching the spring unless the spring is coated in insulation, like armature wire.

Have you cleaned the axle(s) with some sandpaper or wet and dry to remove the factory coating that is probably preventing a good electrical connection ?

Edit. WTD beat me to it!

Photo Barry?

Steve M wrote: ↑Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:40 pmPhoto Barry?

It could be that there is a coating on the axles as mentioned by the Brian's. I might take it apart anyway, as I am not happy with the soldering. My iron does not appear to let the solder flow, i just get a large dollop!

IMG_1214 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

It may be the angle, but both those wheels look solidly attached to the axles ie is the insulation bit on the other end of both? It looks like both springs connect to the same rail?

Yes, thoroughly clean the axles to bring them to a shiny finish. This then allows best connection to the springs.
The poor soldering is due to the iron not being hot enough to allow solder to flow. Usually increase irons temperature if its adjustable or use an iron with a larger bit and wattage.

Steve - Insulation is at opposite ends on the two wheels - sort of left and right - I was very careful to get them the correct way round - but I will check.

Brian - I will give the axles a clean - and the iron was running at 400 - which I thought was hotter than need be - but I will turn it up a notch.

I presume you have checked continuity between the wheels (at both ends of each axle) and springs with a multimeter?

One other thing is on one side while the wheel is removed is to fit a fine wire in a sort of U shape so as the insulated bush is bridged when the bush is pressed back into place. i.e. the fine wire is forced against the wheel and then over the bushes edge and onto the axle. Hard to explain.

There's a video somewhere of this process, I'll see if I can find it in a little while.

Edit.... Found the video.. It explains the fine wire around the wheels insulated bush better than any text. https://youtu.be/AL3SiGLw_n0
One strand from a piece of 7/0.2mm wire would be ideal.