R2827 Schools class- tender plug wires loose.

[dBerriff]

Helping with a local layout, Schools class “Cheltenham” has 2 wires lose from the plug that fits into the tender socket. Before I contact Hornby service does anyone have any advice on working on this tiny plug?

[Going Spare]

Probably easier to obtain a replacement X6113 wired plug and resolder at the loco chassis terminations. Out of stock at Hornby but available at retailers - see also at Lendons X6113a which appears to be a single replacement wire soldered to its connector within the plug.

[dBerriff]

Thank you, especially for the part number as it is not on the Schools service sheet unless I missed it. I will follow that up.

[96RAF]

Not easy to refix a loose wire into those plugs so as GS says get the spare assy and fettle all wires back to a suitable connection point within the loco.

The wiring logic usually is motor wires inboard and wheel pickups outboard but check with your meter versus any wires still intact and work out the missing connections.

[ColinB]

Actually Lendons are currently the only retailer that has them in stock. If you get stuck they sell them on EBay with thicker multicoloured wire.

[P-Henny]

@dBerriff

Also invest £5 to get Hornby's X6468 plug extractor tool. It helps to prevent breaking the wires in the first place.

https://uk.hornby.com/products/extractor-tool-steam-loco-tender-plug-x6468?_br_psugg_q=tool

[Brew Man]

@dBerriff

Also invest £5 to get Hornby's X6468 plug extractor tool. It helps to prevent breaking the wires in the first place.

https://uk.hornby.com/products/extractor-tool-steam-loco-tender-plug-x6468?_br_psugg_q=tool

 

 

+1 to that. They seem expensive for what they are but they are invaluable when you come to needing to remove one of those plugs.

[dBerriff]

Not my loco but it was run on a large layout with the tender draw-bar detached. Not all operators are as careful as the owner!

I agree and will ask them to buy the whole harness if I am asked to fit the replacement. I don’t know if they have an extractor but that is good advice and I will get one myself with my next Hornby order.

I appreciate the responses - thank you. sunglasses

[dBerriff]

Thank you - that worked.

The wiring was “interesting”. Black to positive, red to negative! I traced back from the 8-pin DCC socket to make sense of it.

Left-Plug-Pins top to bottom: P+ P- M+ M- (Pickup, Motor)

[dBerriff]

Jennifer E. Kirk has the same wiring on her Schools tender.

[96RAF]

Convention is positive red to right rail going forward which in the picture is the top connection on the tender left hand socket. The outer pins are the pickups and the inner pins are the motor feeds.

The 8-pin socket is also wired per NEM652 convention with pin 1 to top left as pictured and marked. PIN numbers continue anti clockwise from there.

[dBerriff]

I am simply reporting what I actually found.

[96RAF]

I am simply reporting what I actually found.

 

 

Which is why I said “ convention is . . .”

[dBerriff]

white_check_mark

And the moral is…?

Don’t rely on convention? yum

.

[96RAF]

white_check_mark

And the moral is…? yum

 

 

Don’t take it for granted that what you have is what you should expect - always check.

[dBerriff]

I have my trusty Maplins multimeter - for those of us who remember Maplins.

[Deem]

I paid hefty price by blowing 3 decoders, only because I didn't think or checked Red wire from 8-pin socket could be negative.

So lesson learned is always double or triple check before soldering, Like dBerriff is done. Maybe convince Hornby to have correct colour wiring or just have black wires all around in future production of these parts.