The procedure totally dismantles the unit, but you only need to dismantle as much as is necessary to access those parts you wish to work on.

This information is provided in good faith, but as I have no idea of your skill levels it is assumed you know what you are doing and that you work on your RLM at your own risk.

Be aware that opening the case and/or making changes or attempting repairs to this unit will invalidate any warranty on your RLM and may also preclude any future chance of Hornby being able to repair the unit. This also applies to any RLM bought second hand, whether working or not, as the previous owner may have opened the case or attempted repairs.

A common mistake is for users to provide a reverse loop section that is shorter than their longest train, which prevents the RLM working correctly.

The way this unit works is to detect a short circuit as a train passes from the main track into the isolated reverse loop section. The unit immediately switches polarity of the isolated loop to match the main track. As the train leaves the isolated section the RLM again senses and switches to the correct polarity.

The unit can be set for sensitivity by way of the Select/Elite switch - in effect this switch is selecting whether to be aware of a 1-Amp (Select) or 4-Amp (Elite) power supply unit and react accordingly. The unit could have been labelled as Hi-Lo sensitivity instead.

Top Side

Isolated Track Output Side

Main Track Connection

Lower Side

Dismantling:

Undo the 4 x security screws found under the 4 x rubber foot pads. These are the usual triangular recess screws.

Lift the top case off. The circuit board lifts out but remains attached to the top case by the switch and led cables which can be disconnected at their plugs.

Reverse side of PCB.

Note one of the component tags on my PCB was visible in the case mounting screw hole and could possibly cause a problem.

Components:

All component codes are clearly visible on the PCB. These are mostly standard components used by Hornby and some have previously been identified in the other Teardown Reports.  Refer to the table for identification.

Item Code          Description                      Part Number

F1                     Resetting fuse              30V 3A 30R300

K1 & K2             SPDT Relay                   G6RN-1 12VDC

Q1 & Q8            NPN Transistor SOT23    MMBT5551LT1G

D1                    Voltage Regulator Diode 27V 500mW SOD80 BZV55-C27

D2                    Voltage Regulator Diode 2.0V 500mW SOD80 BZV55-C2.0

D8-D13             Fast Rectifier                 RS1A SMA

D5                    Red LED 3mm

U1                    Voltage Regulator 5V      LM78L05ABUTR

U2                    Dual Low Power Op Amp SOIC-8 Narrow LM358M

U4                    PIC12F510 8-pin 8-bit     Microchip 12F510-I/SN

R4 & R5             Wire Wound Resistor      5-Ohm 3W 5%

SMD Resistors    Size 0603                     10k 5k1 4k7 2k2 470R 47k 1k

SW1                  SPDT Switch

Problems:

Very little is reported as going wrong with this unit.

Most faults are likely to have been user induced by incorrect connections to the layout, simple as they are (2 wires in and 2 wires out). Reference to the user’s manual will show how to connect the unit and where isolating rail joints need to be.

Acknowledgments:

Many thanks to Ken Wards in the Hornby Research and Development Department for his help in compiling this article.

RH/RLM/May2018/v1.0

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ROB’S RAILS - Teardown Reports     

Hornby R8238 DCC Reverse Loop Module

This report details the procedural teardown of a Hornby Reverse Loop Module (hereafter called an RLM) used to automatically switch track polarity when a train enters a reverse loop. The unit is powered from the main track and outputs the correct polarity to the isolated reverse loop section of track as required.

© Rob’s Rails 2019