Miniatronics Electrak Clean II

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Edward A. Oates - 28 Apr 2005 17:11 GMT

I just bought one of these and have a question / concern:

I ran it around my DCC (Digitrax) layout pushed by a decoder equipped engine
and noticed several things:

1. Every once in a while, my PM42 circuit protector would activate (set at 3
amps), then reset quickly and the engine would proceed; it was quick, the
engine didn't actually stop. Without the Electrak II, there was no such
circuit protection activation. Is that considered normal when the cleaner
activates due to a dirty spot?

2. After running for about 5 minutes (three circuits at a pretty slow
speed), I turned the Electrak II off and noticed that the shell right above
the circuit board was quite warm. How warm should it get?

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Ed Oates
http://homepage.mac.com/edoates
DCC wiring information is at http://www.wiringfordcc.com
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Charles Kimbrough - 28 Apr 2005 18:19 GMT

I suggest running the Electrak on DC only. With an analog engine. A chip
could be damaged by the high voltage the unit puts out on dirty track.

The units do get quite warm. Not hot enough to burn you but warm.

> I just bought one of these and have a question / concern:
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> To help eliminate spam and scams, send it to FTC gov <uce@ftc.gov>
> (hee hee hee: Happy spam bot message)

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Edward A. Oates - 28 Apr 2005 18:29 GMT

Thanks for the info.

WRT DCC operation: there is a review at Tony's Train Exchange which
indicates that DCC is not a concern, though my PM42 shutdowns are a bit
worrisome to me. Since I'm wired for DCC and really don't have the DC option
(I guess I could set it up), I'll be cautious as you suggest and take all
other locos off the tracks of the circuit being cleaned, and use an old loco
with a cheap decoder (an old DH121 in an Athearn).

Ed

> I suggest running the Electrak on DC only. With an analog engine. A chip
> could be damaged by the high voltage the unit puts out on dirty track.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>> To help eliminate spam and scams, send it to FTC gov <uce@ftc.gov>
>> (hee hee hee: Happy spam bot message)

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Jon Miller - 28 Apr 2005 18:44 GMT

>A chip could be damaged by the high voltage the unit puts out on dirty

track.<
According to the maker and testers (review at Tony's Train Exchange)
this will not happen.

My real question is; Using ME track that is pre-weathered will the
cleaner leave you with bright shiny nickel silver?

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / April 2005

Miniatronics Electrak Clean II