Artistocraft Power Supply - ART-5400

This has been a reliable power supply for me. I have run it for hours at a time at train shows. No problems at all. One issue which is not really a problem is that when the throttle is turned all of the way down there may still be enough voltage on the track for a small locomotive, like an Eggliner, to keep moving. If that happens just set the direction switch to the middle position and it will immediately stop.

Ever had to open this device for whatever reason? I have 3 of these. The last one I bought did not work so I had to see what the problem was. There are 4 screws that hold the bottom part of the case to the top part. A quick look into the black holes where they reside revealed that they looked like Phillips head screws so I got a Phillips screwdriver and tried to take them out. But they would not turn. Upon closer examination with better light I discovered a triangular recess in the screw head, not the 4-pointed X of the Phillips head screw.

I had never seen this type of head before and certainly did not have a matching screwdriver. What to do ... make one. With an old Phillips screwdriver and went to my grinder. I ground off the point and shaped the resulting round end to a triangle. After several test fits and regrinds I got the size right and was able to remove the screws.

Oh, the thing did not work because the power transformer has no output voltage. An open winding no doubt. I'll have to find a new one sometime. This power supply was purchased on eBay. Apparently the seller did not know anything about it. The description implied that it was in working condition. After reporting my finding to him and he gave me a full refund.