Kent Panel Contols HH unit repair needed. Help please.

[dasatcopthorne]

H Guys.

 

Our Club runs a layout using 3 x KPC handheld units which have been brilliant over the years.

 

However, now one goes to Short Circuit as soon as the direction switch is set either way from OFF.

 

Although I am capable of replacing components if I can find replacement, I have absolutely no idea of what has gone wrong.

 

I have checked the lead, of course. No problem here.

 

Does anyone have any experience of this problem or know who might be able to trace it and repair it please?

 

Cheers

 

Dave

Edited December 7, 2017 by dasatcopthorne

[Joseph_Pestell]

Hi Dave

 

I am a real amateur when it comes to electronics but that sounds to me like something has got loose inside the casing and is lying across two terminals causing the short.

 

If you don't have any luck with repair, I have one somewhere that you can have. I am fairly sure that I will go DCC for any future projects.

[John ks]

By your description it looks as if the problem is in the direction switch or between the direction switch and the layout

 

Try disconnecting the output to the layout,(as close to the direction switch as possible) if the short goes away then it past where you disconnected

 

If it persists then it is between where you disconnected & the direction switch

 

As I don't know KPC controllers this is about as helpful as I can be

 

John

[BMacdermott]

Hello Dave

 

I have (and had) some old KPC units and All Components now offer a new model and repair service. I am very pleased with them.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Brian

 

http://www.allcomponentsltd.co.uk

[dasatcopthorne]

Just a quick update here Guys.

 

I cannot resist having a go at things like this until I hit a brick wall.

 

After some very basic checks I decided to replace the Bridge Rec. These are 3amp Exhibition controllers and this one was fitted with a 3amp Bridge.

 

Ordered some 10amp bridges abd made the replacement. Only managed to test it fully at the Club today. Now working finer.

 

So, thank you for your guidance and your offers chaps.

 

Dave

[kevinlms]

Just a quick update here Guys.

 

I cannot resist having a go at things like this until I hit a brick wall.

 

After some very basic checks I decided to replace the Bridge Rec. These are 3amp Exhibition controllers and this one was fitted with a 3amp Bridge.

 

Ordered some 10amp bridges abd made the replacement. Only managed to test it fully at the Club today. Now working finer.

 

So, thank you for your guidance and your offers chaps.

 

Dave

Glad you sorted it, but I'm curious, what sort of power source do you have to blow such a bridge rectifier?

[dasatcopthorne]

I think it is 4/5amp but the problem may have been connected with a short at some time.

 

I have once replaced the 3amp Bridge so may also have been a cheapo component.

 

Dave

[kevinlms]

I think it is 4/5amp but the problem may have been connected with a short at some time.

 

I have once replaced the 3amp Bridge so may also have been a cheapo component.

 

Dave

So a large power supply, that won't give up in the case of a short. What sort of overload protection do you have? My concern is that while the old 3 Amp bridge rectifier could have been faulty, but usually they are very reliable (within its capacity), so what caused the problem?

So have you replaced the 'weakest link' and now with an extended short, something else is going to blow instead.