High voltage from Bachmann DC controller?

[bill badger]

I'm scratching my head a bit. Locos on my son's little N gauge layout started running roughly / jerking and with a reportedly 'odd noise' - both old and new Farish items. Wheels and track were cleaned with no effect. Checking the output voltage the reading at 'full whack' is 24V DC. Surely this can't be right? Starting to think controller is faulty. Don't really want to risk damage any of his or my locos. Can any electrical experts offer advice on what to do / check next?

[cliff park]

Full whack with no load could well be around that area. Try to measure it at say half throttle with an engine on the track. Sounds more like an intermittent connection, check all terminations.

[DCB]

The off load voltage is often around 21 volts on cheap and nasty DC controllers.  

 

It sounds like one of the rectifier diodes may have failed leaving it running on half wave.  Probably best to get something else off ebay for £5 and see if it improves matters.

 

I won't use them preferring Morleys and the like which deliver from 0 volts to around  9 volts (N gauge) or 15 volts (0 and 00 gauge) off load depending on control knob settings

[bill badger]

Thanks chaps.