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Post by Mopacman on Mar 18, 2024 1:25:54 GMT
Good evening. In December, 2021, I purchased a Menard's Santa Fe F3 engine. Although I have other engines (MTH, Williams, and Lionel) I run this engine frequently on my layout. As it was designed for Beta Testing, with the price kept low to encourage consumers to buy it and run it, I took a chance on it and bought the engine. I frequently run it, and have had no problems with it. I periodically email Ray, the technical contact at Menards headquarters, to let him know how this product is holding up. Tonight I had to let him know of the first issue that I have had with this product. The remote that came with the engine, and is required to run it, has quit. If there was a weak part of this new product, the remote is it. From the time that I first bought the engine, the remote has been a challenge, with the batteries making contact only after frequent wiggling of the batteries. Not a very scientific way of describing the issue, but that is the problem. I put new batteries in the remote, but it will not power up. The engine starts up when applying power from the transformer, but with it being dependent on the transformer, the engine won't run.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this issue. I don't know if the remote can be replaced by itself, or if it is tied to the engine. I will be anxious to hear from Ray at Menards, and will certainly provide an update.
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Post by phil55 on Mar 18, 2024 2:40:47 GMT
Interesting. I look forward to your update!
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Post by seayakbill on Mar 18, 2024 8:37:33 GMT
Menards needs to do like Lionel dd and manufacture a universal remote that can operate all of their locomotives.
Bill
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Post by BobS2056 on Mar 18, 2024 18:42:38 GMT
I had same issue with mine and found certain brand battery tops are SMALLER in diameter and length, thus NOT making proper connection with contacts on the remote.
Once I noticed the difference in the different brand of batteries I always compare before I replace batteries.
I alway thought all replacement batteries were the same WRONG.
Bob
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Post by Mopacman on Mar 19, 2024 1:24:38 GMT
What brand of batteries work successfully in your remote?
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Post by BobS2056 on Mar 19, 2024 3:58:01 GMT
I use Duracell batteries and they work well in Menards remote.
The issue with Menards remotes is the area where the + side of the battery tip contacts the remote, is critical.
Bob
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Post by Mopacman on Mar 19, 2024 21:47:22 GMT
Thank you for the response. Last night, I took a pocketknife and pushed the blade down behind the metal contact strips in the remote battery compartment. After putting the batteries (I tried Ever Ready brand) back in the compartment and continually twisting the knife, I found that the issue was that the contact strips have to be bent enough to force contact to be made with the battery terminals, even when it looks like the batteries already were making contact with the strips. Continuing to adjust the batteries made no difference. Now, with the remote working again, the engine runs as well as it ever did.
I have not received any response back from Menard's technical department as of this writing. As a courtesy, I will let them know what I did to make the remote operational again. Although it was luck that this worked, I am relieved that the Menard's engine continues to be operational. I plan on continuing on running it regularly on my layout.
In closing, I have continued to make suggestions by email to Ray at Menards corporate on what I would like to see Menards offer in the way of rolling stock as they continue to expand their product line. A couple of suggestions that I have would be to add passenger cars and more road names. I pull six MTH Santa Fe 60 foot streamline passenger cars, and dummy MTH E8 A and B units with my engine. The engine handles this consist easily, and the color schemes match up well together.
Thank you to all for your suggestions and your interest!
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Post by BobS2056 on Mar 19, 2024 22:55:04 GMT
I used Energizer brand batteries at first and they did NOT work with my remote to operate my locomotive.
Part of the issue is how Menards has plastic so close to the metal contacts area, very little room for error.
Bob
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Post by phil55 on Mar 19, 2024 23:21:49 GMT
I've been waiting on Menards to add more road names to the F units. If that happens I'll probably be in for a couple. Knowing what to look for if the remote quits working is good to know! Thanks for posting this!
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Post by BobS2056 on Mar 20, 2024 15:32:08 GMT
Mopacman please update us when you receive reply from Ray at Menards and what he suggests Bob
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Post by Mopacman on Mar 21, 2024 3:10:57 GMT
I updated Ray yesterday with my explanation of adjusting the battery box contact strips with a knife. He responded today, with a "Many Thanks." No suggestions. Perhaps he did not feel the need to address it, since I fixed the issue (for now).
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Post by BobS2056 on Mar 22, 2024 0:44:19 GMT
I updated Ray yesterday with my explanation of adjusting the battery box contact strips with a knife. He responded today, with a "Many Thanks." No suggestions. Perhaps he did not feel the need to address it, since I fixed the issue (for now). I am glad he at least responded with a reply, maybe he knows they are currently updating the way they are made. Bob
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Post by Mopacman on Mar 22, 2024 1:55:31 GMT
Ray has always been very receptive to my comments and suggestions. I certainly would like to think that he would be willing to update on product upgrades, when possible.
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Post by dlagrua on Mar 22, 2024 11:59:31 GMT
A suggestion might be to add a switch at the bottom of the diesel to have a position for conventional or remote just in case. K-Line did this on some of their engines and mine are set at conventional.
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