Menard's Locomotives

I agree GR. The first of many things weren't perfect. My first marriage as an example. Don

Somehow I suspect that Mr Menard didn’t get where he is now by giving up when something didn’t work the first few tries.

But the trains are merely a side-line from Menard’s main business, and as such would be easy to sacrifice….

Bill Webb said:

Somehow I suspect that Mr Menard didn’t get where he is now by giving up when something didn’t work the first few tries.

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There's the flip side to that coin ... Quit while your ahead and don't throw good money after bad.

I got my Menard's FP-7 DUMMY this week. I did not get down to the train room until today. Placed it behind the power unit and ran it for 10 minutes. I love the looks of it and at $100 delivered worth it to me. It was pretty light so I may add some weight to it to track better. My units lights do not work which for a trailing unit is fine......so I'll wait until I add weight before I worry about lights.

@AMCDave Silly question, did you flip the switch on the bottom of the NON powered unit? And yes it’s very light, additional weight needs to be added

Bob

Unaware.......I'll check! thx

AMCDave said:

Unaware.......I'll check! thx

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Maybe open it up before you flip the switch. I don't recall the detailed pics of the wiring from an earlier thread, but if it's missing the diode and you flip the switch it may emit the magic smoke after a few minutes? Post a detailed pic of the inside and we'll know.

@AMCDave HOLD off flipping the switch till MIKE looks at my opened up unit.

thanks Mike

Bob

I’m baffled as to why there are any electronics in a dummy unit at all….not to mention the 2 engineer figures….

BobS2056 said:

@Millstonemike here are more photos, let us know what you think, I don’t see the capacitor issue like previous model.

Bob

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The PCB in the center was not included in the failed units (smoking capacitor) pics from earlier. This PCB has a full wave bridge rectifier that will keep the capacitor happy. Hopefully it works as intended, let us know.

So the question is: Has Menards now produced an updated design after the earlier failures? Or, was it always part of the design but this new board was not available in time to ship. So the (Chinese?) mfg. just shipped without it?

I've seen that before in other products from China. Same PCB but the mfg. runs out of a specific resistor and just substitutes what ever is value is available. Hey, it's just one "zero" difference, right. Of course the product is then useless. An active subwoofer lowpass filter operating at 1000 Hz instead of the intended 100 Hz.

BobS2056 said:

@Millstonemike I purchased this February 2, 2023, and picked it up on February 7, 2023 at Menards by my house, NONpowered Beta 3.

Bob

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I can't find it on the Menards website. It seems to be a new issue. In any event, it definitely has the additional PC board with the proper components. Only a test will prove it works correctly.

Still funny to see them making you pay for the privilege of testing it for them…. 🤣

@Millstonemike I ran the NON powered Beta 3 for 30 minutes with lightning on and NO issues,
Thanks for your guidance Mike.

@AMCDave if yours is the NON powered Beta 3 try flipping the switch on bottom, it worked with mine.

Bob

Thanks....mine is that last one they offered. I'll check

BobS2056 said:

@Millstonemike I ran the NON powered Beta 3 for 30 minutes with lightning on and NO issues,
Thanks for your guidance Mike.

@AMCDave if yours is the NON powered Beta 3 try flipping the switch on bottom, it worked with mine.

Bob

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Yep, they corrected the problem with the unpowered A unit. I received the Blue Bonnet with the new electronics and the on / off switch. Head light is very bright but I will keep it off when in use as a trailing A unit. Pretty darn good deal at $89. Maybe a set of Milwaukees are on the drawing board.

Checked mine last night, all good. Thanks all for the info!