LGB throttle problem; anybody had this?

Hello everyone..

First real run of the summer. At first I thought my U class had a problem, but not so; the ubiquitous LGB throttle is delivering less power to all locos in one direction (i.e turning the throttle to the left, rather than the right). 
If anyone has any thoughts on what this might be, I'd be very grateful for some suggestions. I would not dare to open up the box myself, but my brother in law would. 


Thanks in advance,


Richard

Please  advise  which   LGB  Throttle  you  are  using  ( Article  number  if  possible)
 
But  in  the  meantime  try  reversing  the cables  which feed  the  track  ( ie  change  the one  from  the  righthand  side of  the  output on  the  throttle  unit  to  the  left and  vice  versa)  then  see  if  the slowing  down  has  changed to  the  opposite direction.   the right  not  the  left or  it  stays  the  same.
 
ALSO  IF  YOU  HAVE  A  VOLTMETER  may  be  worth   reading  what  the  Max  voltage reading  is in  each 'direction'

Steve

Be Carefull!!! I have had this when a diode is burning out in the directional lighting it will cause a partial short in one direction only until it burns out altogether!!...........Paul..........
 
Ah! I re-read your post and it's doing it to all loco's? I would set up an isolated test track and connect the offending transformer to that and recheck your loco's, if there ok on this it means the problem is track related and if they still act up? find your brother in law!!

"Most garden railwaymen are ordinary folk - Albeit as nutty as fruitcakes"...D. Rowlands

Hi Steve and Paul,

Thanks very much for your quick replies. 

The throttle is the 52120 model. On the underside is a gold sticker with the number 001075. Bought new early in 2007.

I have switched the wires, and now the problem is reversed, the slower speed is in the opposite direction.

Unfortunately I dont have a voltmeter, but for sure my BIL wil have one. Are you thinking about voltage drop? I have read about it but I still am not sure if I'd know it when I experience it (rather  like corked wine). But I should mention that the one throttle and transformer controls all the track, through one connection to the track.The initial total track distance was around 40 metres, but I have recently increased this to around 60 metres. Yesterday was the first full run after the new section was completed. But I thought voltage drop is something that shows up a long way from the connection from throttle to track. I don't have that problem. The speed is consistent around all areas of the system, allowing for gradients of course.

It may not be so simple to set up a test track, so I'd be pleased to hear what you make of the above, and what next steps you'd recommend.

And many thanks again

Richard

Your results confirm your suspicion that it is the throttle that is at fault.
The voltage drop in this question is the internal one inside the throttle. For example if the output voltage is consistently 0.7V less in one direction than the other for the same movement of the control knob it would suggest one diode or other semiconductor junction may be shorting out.

Please do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in reality.

The  Signal  Box  control  unit!
 
Made  in  2005,
 
It  should  have  given  you  well over  3  years  use without becoming  faulty,  If  it  works  OK  in  one  direction  then  there  is  nothing  incorret  with  the  track  or  connections  I  think! 
It  would appear  there  is  an  internal  fault  which  has  occured to  cause  voltage  drop in  one  direction.
 
If  the  problem  can  not  be identified , or  can not  be  easily  fixed,  there  are  a  couple  of  things you  could do:
 
Obtain a  52121  throttle  unit ( thats  the  electronics  which go inside  the   55120 complete  with  control knob  etc) and  replace  the  faulty  one  with  it,
Or  far  less  expensive  use  a  double  pole (DPDT)  switch in  the   output  leads  to  the  track  to  reverse  the  direction of the  current  and  just  use  the  controller  in  the 'GOOD'  direction.
 
f  room.The  DPDT  switch  could  be  mounted  within  the  signal box controller  as  there  is  plenty  of space
Click  the  thumbnail pic  to  enlarge!

Attached Image(s)

Steve