LGB Starter set transformer point of failure?

[Hutch]

On this subject can any one tell me how to get inside a 50080/50081. I'm sure I did it once to fix the terminals but I cannot remember how I did it.
No such thing as "No user servicable components inside"

LGB apparently sourced these from more than one vendor, so IF yours is the same as mine was, there are two single use push-pins on each of the long sides about 1/2 inch from the bottom. I recall removing them was easiest by drilling or chiselling (exacto chisel) off the heads of the pins, pushing the pins through the holes to the inside, then carefully prying the bottom off. Don't remember if I had to remove the knob or not. Replacement pins were purchased at the local ACE Hardware store.

Just looked at the 50081 currently on my auto-reverse track. It has no visible rivets or other access methods. Although I didn't pull the knob, I assume that means the unit is sonic welded or assembled with adhesive.

A verrry large hammer or 20 ton press would be an alternative access method.

I didn't find the failing part on that one, so I recycled it in a batch of scrap metal. Since then, I have been told that the "self resetting" plastic fuse is actually wound INSIDE the transformer.

Use this information at your own risk. It may have hazardous voltages attached.

 

[Hutch]

On this subject can any one tell me how to get inside a 50080/50081. I'm sure I did it once to fix the terminals but I cannot remember how I did it.
No such thing as "No user servicable components inside"

On ebay, the 50081 cases have a couple of variations. One of the picture sets has what appears to be screwdriver slots at the corners on the bottom of the case.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LGB-50081-...185066?hash=item25e9f8c6aa:g:--oAAOSwZFdaUWmN
Mine does not have these slots.

Let us know how you get into it. At the cheap prices of used Hartland, AristoCraft, and Tech II starter set transformers, I have stopped trying to repair these things. If you don't need high the voltage of a G-gauge transformer, used HO supplies often have as much as 3 amps at 14 volts, and are dirt cheap on ebay. Example https://www.ebay.com/itm/MARX-VINTA...661040&hash=item4b32b39870:g:BJ4AAOSwH-daHNR1

 

[dutchelm]

The ones with push pins are no problem. Drill a little hole, put a screw in a turn or so & pull. The pin comes out.
The one I want to get into has 4 rectangular holes in the bottom. I assumed there was something inside to release but the holes seem blind. Maybe its glued so a hacksaw job.

 

[dutchelm]

Well, I am in. The top is held on with 4 pushpins which are flush with the enclosure sides & difficult to see. Whats more they are a swine to remove.
For folks information there is a thermal trip in the primary of the transformer which is mounted above the main winding. I cannot see what it actually is without removing the PCB.

 

[KG19540529]

This thread was a big help to me with the LGB 50081 with the nearly invisible side "push pins." I drilled a 1/16 hole into the 4 "hidden" side pins and then screwed in a long (~8mm) M2 machine screw and popped them out with pliers.

My problem was that the spring terminals for the electrical contacts had somehow gotten pushed in, so it would not make electrical contact. After removing the top, I found I had to desolder with a desoldering plunger the two copper/brass strips going down so I could fix the spring terminals on the black rectangular assembly that holds the two spring terminals. The terminals have a hole in the back that had somehow gotten pushed back over the plastic pin that stops it. I had to use pliers to push the contact/hole back over the pin (it more or less snaps into place). I then reinstalled the back part that holed the contact assembly and then bent and pushed the copper strips back into their holes. I removed the screw I used for the side pins and was able to reuse them to hold the top on.