Track power drops out when new Legacy SD70ACe is on track.

How about connecting the brick directly to the track.  For sure the 80 watt brick is enough, that's at least 3+ amps!  I regularly run stuff on my workbench with an ammeter, and Legacy diesels with smoke have never cracked two amps, typically just over one amp when running by themselves.  I'm wondering if the controller is having a problem and has enough "oomph" for the LC stuff but not the Legacy engine.

Good suggestion GJ

Switched from 80w power brick to a MTH Z-4000, by-passing MTH TIU, and going directly the track.  
No change - SD70ACe shows no life and track power quits around 6volts according to the Z-4000 display.
Also Z-4000 lower LCD shows 11 amps, and the left Red indicator light starts blinking at 6v.
The digital displays donʻt show up very well in photos.
Tried Track 1 and Track 2 on the Z-4000 with same results.

Lionchief 2.0 works normally with this power configuration.

Beginning to think my new Lionel SD70ACe is defective.

Sure sounds like a warranty issue.  These new SD-70ACes are just starting to roll out.  Hope this is isolated instance.

Wow!….you’re seeing 11 amps draw??…..what’s the matter scarecrow?…..’fraid of a little,…….fire!!?……..that’s a dead short buddy, …..beofre going on a return trip, take a quick look underneath and see if you see something jammed up in the trucks that might be causing the short, …..a stray screw, piece of metal, etc,…..11 amps is a dead short,…..I know Z4000’s can be liars, but they don’t lie that badly,..

Pat

(Checked and no metal objects in the trucks causing a short)

Also reviewed the dealer return policy - I have to call within ten days (not a problem), and I have to pay $25 shipping back and return shipping for the exchange.
Not clear on a restocking fee - stated in one place as required, in another place as not required for an exchange for same item.
Itʻs a Lionel BTO and it looks like they donʻt have any in stock right now.  My cost for shipping 3 ways will be $55-60.

First defective Lionel product I have purchased, kinda makes me wonder if it will be the last Lionel product I purchase.

Question:

* Is going through the dealer exchange process better than pursuing warranty through Lionel?

Thanks!

I suggest getting on Lionel website and navigate to Contact (TalktoUs) and submit issue there.   Worst case is you pay shipping one way to Lionel.   They have the technical know how and parts to fix.  

@Kelunaboy posted:

(Checked and no metal objects in the trucks causing a short)

Also reviewed the dealer return policy - I have to call within ten days (not a problem), and I have to pay $25 shipping back and return shipping for the exchange.
Not clear on a restocking fee - stated in one place as required, in another place as not required for an exchange for same item.
Itʻs a Lionel BTO and it looks like they donʻt have any in stock right now.  My cost for shipping 3 ways will be $55-60.

First defective Lionel product I have purchased, kinda makes me wonder if it will be the last Lionel product I purchase.

Question:

* Is going through the dealer exchange process better than pursuing warranty through Lionel?

Thanks!

Don’t send it back to your hobby shop. It is under lionel warranty, so dont take off the shell or you will void the warranty. Email lionels warranty service with your issue, copy of receipt, and they will help you out. They will most likely send you a “RA” return authorization. With this you will get a fed ex pre-paid shipping label to ship your loco to their office in NC. They will look at it, troubleshoot, repair, or replace as needed. This time of year they arent too busy so the turn around time is probably 4-8 weeks. They are usually really good and will take good care of you. Best of luck with your new engine.

Well, there's no doubt that at 11 amps it's broken, so back it goes!

@biscuitag97 posted:

Email lionels warranty service with your issue, copy of receipt, and they will help you out. They will most likely send you a “RA” return authorization. With this you will get a fed ex pre-paid shipping label to ship your loco to their office in NC.

FWIW. The general consensus over the last few years has been Lionel is no longer as receptive to emails as they once were.

Folks have had much better luck calling the number on the website to request an RA.

"If service for this Lionel LLC product is required you must FIRST call 1-800-4LIONEL (1-800-454-6635), "

Thank you everyone for the advice!

Sounds like the consensus is working with Lionel for warranty service.

I am thinking about contacting the dealer to discuss returning it and take the restocking fee hit - not sure if they would do that knowing itʻs broken.
Not unheard of for things to break, but Iʻm not sure I want to risk $600 on something so fragile.

This also happened to me with a $1000 Italian Espresso machine, it broke on the 3rd cup.  Costco took it back and gave me a full refund no questions.  
Replacement was a $150 Nespresso, which reflects how much Iʻm willing to risk on another failure.

Anyway Iʻll make some calls and decide this week.

@Kelunaboy posted:

First defective Lionel product I have purchased, kinda makes me wonder if it will be the last Lionel product I purchase.

I like this idea.  One strike and you're out.  No need for any tolerance here whatsoever.

Now, the next question is which company in this hobby won't make this kind of mistake?  Which one is perfect enough to deserve your next purchase?

Mike

@Kelunaboy posted:

I am thinking about contacting the dealer to discuss returning it and take the restocking fee hit - not sure if they would do that knowing itʻs broken.

Why would you not allow the dealer to get it repaired or replace it?  Have you really never had a defective product before?

Hi - of course Iʻve had many defective products, including a few train related items.
I had a MTH zinc pest problem - which MTH rectified, so I continue to buy MTH, because they took care of me.

This is my first defective Lionel, out of perhaps 50 sets, engines, and rolling stock.
What hurt most is, was expensive (to me), was a model I wanted (pre-ordered), and I was looking forward to running my first true Legacy locomotive this weekend.

Very likely I will have either the dealer replace it, or have Lionel repair it.

To return and refrain from purchasing from that retailer or brand again - has been my method of avoidance over the years.
For example: I donʻt buy Lexmark printers, HP Inkjet printers, Visio TVs, shop at JC Pennys, and more - itʻs my list so donʻt judge me!

I donʻt want this to become a thing - I will let the dealer or Lionel fix this for and move on from there.

If you are exchanging a defective product, there should be no restocking fee.  That's for returns for refunds.  Good luck.  With most dealers, you'd pay for shipping for return but not for the replacement shipping (Charles Ro, for example).

I've never heard of Lionel not replacing or refunding for defective products, so I wouldn't worry about that.  Frustrating and annoying to get a product that doesn't work, but it's pretty uncommon in my experience (<1% over hundreds of purchases over the decades).

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

I like this idea.  One strike and you're out.  No need for any tolerance here whatsoever.

Now, the next question is which company in this hobby won't make this kind of mistake?  Which one is perfect enough to deserve your next purchase?

Mike

Sounds like you might as well toss in the towel Mike, …..on everything, not just this hobby, ……good luck with that mentality, …..let us know how you make out, ….that is if you can contact us!….I mean, even phones, tablets, and computers even break down, ….🙄

Pat

"Sounds like you might as well toss in the towel Mike,"

I think that's Mike's point.  Humor/sarcasm, rather than his point of view.

@Landsteiner posted:

"Sounds like you might as well toss in the towel Mike,"

I think that's Mike's point.  Humor/sarcasm, rather than his point of view.

Oh, ….my bad,….sometimes it’s hard to tell with ol’ Mike,….😉

Pat

Update - arranged to send Legacy engine to Lionel for warranty service.  They emailed me a pre-paid FedEx label and will pay return shipping, estimated 6-8 week turnaround.

Took and few photos before packing it up:

Hi good luck hope thy repair is correctly the First time and return it undamaged!

Alan

@Kelunaboy posted:

Update - arranged to send Legacy engine to Lionel for warranty service.  They emailed me a pre-paid FedEx label and will pay return shipping, estimated 6-8 week turnaround.

Nice engine.  I suspect you will see your engine back before those 6-8 weeks though.  Seems that is just the standard time frame but folks have seen their repairs coming back 4 weeks or less.  Good Luck!  Hope she comes back and gets to making some revenue.

My SD70ACe "The Katy" was returned by Lionel warranty repair on May 23.  Twelve days from the day they received it, including return shipping.  Not bad at all!
Lionel reported the problem as a loose wire under one of the trucks, I got lucky it was an easy one.   Looks and tested good - happy with fast turn around.

Thanks for helping me keep the faith