I have a four track controller , it is a Gaugemaster Q model that I bought in the 1980's. I'm only using 2 of the power outlets.
Three of the four lights above the control knobs are illuminated when I plug in the unit. Whichever loco is on the track connected to the lit output starts immediately without activating the speed controller
Some of the locos being operated from the that outlet are not smooth runners.
Is the controller broken and if so can it be repaired? Any advice please
Regards
Gaugemaster offer a lifetime warranty on their DC controllers, and are excellent at honouring it IME. It certainly sounds faulty from your description.
If the light is on, the power is not at zero for that output.
The simplest possibility (and easiest fix) is if the knob is loose on its shaft so you are turning the knob but it's not actually adjusting the output. There is a grub screw that holds the knob on to the shaft.
The other possibility to check for is that the track is definitely connected to the controlled outputs and not to the constant voltage accessory outputs... (IIRC the the Q has 2 each of 12v DC and 16v AC)
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