I usually put my multimeter in resistance measuring mode (lowest setting) and measure the resistance across it.  If you've got the leads the wrong way around, you'll get infinite resistance.  If they're the right way, you'll get the LED lighting up and a few ohms of resistance.  The current put out by the multimeter is low enough that it won't burn out the LED.

Hi all,

I've got an On30 Climax that seems to be suffering from a motor issue.  Namely, the motor seems to have a lack of power, and the model doesn't move at the speed it's supposed to.

I've had this model apart, to the point where the only thing attached to the motor was the worm gear.  While listening to it like this, I could hear the motor vary in speed despite the throttle not changing.  As such, I suspect that the motor may need to be replaced.  To this end, I'm considering sending the model to Bachmann for repairs.

The thing is, Bachmann's repair policy states that they may just replace the model instead of repair it.  I don't want that to happen, as I've done some custom detailing and lettering on this model - it's got a Backwoods Miniatures Climax detailing kit on it, a wood load made of real wood, etc.  I'm hesitant to send it in as I want to be sure I'll get the same model back.  Is there any way of guaranteeing this?

Hi all,

I'm looking to use a Bachmann HO scale 2-6-2, (http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/images/HO_Scale/51501.jpg) as the basis for an On30 locomotive conversion.  To this end, I'm trying to locate the dimensions for it, but I can't seem to find them online.  I mainly want to know the length of the loco not including the tender, and the boiler diameter.  Could anyone provide this information?

You mean the actual motor itself?  What would I need to do/look for?

I'm aa bit wary of doing so.  The more complicated athan mechanism is, the less chance there is it'll work when I put it back together.

I have run the motor without load at my workbench, yes.  I dismantled the gearbox and ran it so that only the worm gear was attached to the motor.  I could still hear it speeding up and slowing down, without any load on it at all.

Given the cost of decoders, plus shipping here to Australia, I'd probably be better off buying another engine.

Hi,

I've checked the model with a factory reset of the decoder.  Even at full speed on the throttle, it only reaches about half of what my other Climax will do (along the same section of track).  What exactly should I look for in the wiring?  I haven't touched the wiring in this model since I bought it, and all the other locos on my layout run without any issues - I've feeders to every section of track on the layout.

Yes, yesterday.  But the speed table is identical to my other Climax - which is working without any issues.  This problem has been occurring with this model for months, even when it was just running on a simple (VStart) configuration.

Hi all,

I've got an On30 climax which is experiencing a rather unique problem.  Up to about speed step 64, it will accelerate normally, with no signs of slowing.  However, when I go faster than this (speed steps 65-127), then the locomotive will begin to slow down.

I have checked the mechanism, and replaced some parts that were slipping on their shafts with replacements from the Climax gear set, however the problem still occurs.

I've performed additional testing, by running the mechanism without the driveshaft to the wheels or the gearbox cover in place.  When running like this, I cannot see any parts that are binding, but the motor just seems to slow down for brief periods at random, before getting back up to speed again.  As such, I suspect there may be a fault with the motor itself.

Does this sound correct, and if so, how should I go about fixing this?

Never mind,

Turns out I had two sets of the replacement gears - one for each climax.  I've found them and performed the repairs.

Hi,

I've seen those posts, but they still don't answer my original question.  Where do I get the universal joints (with the O-rings around them), and the square driveshafts?  Those do not appear to be included in either the link in my original post, or in the replacement gear set.

Hi all,

One of my Bachmann On30 Climax locomotives has failed.  I noticed that when I was running it, it would appear that the gearbox was slipping.

Investigation of this fault narrowed it down to this component:


The universal on the left (which goes to the front axle) has developed a crack, and so it slips on the shaft.  Further to this, the gear just to the right of the universal is also slipping, to the point where the model barely moves.  As such, I think that this whole assembly will need to be replaced.

My question is, what part numbers do I need to order?  I know that this http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8480 will give me the axle with a working gear on it.  However, I've been through the spare parts list a couple of times now, and can't see where to find the universals or the square axles coming out of them.  If someone could point me to these, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks 

Hi all,

I was just wondering, what is the diameter of the boiler on the Bachmann On30 2-6-0 mogul, in actual measurements (not scale measurements)?

I'm planning to use one of these in a tank engine conversion, and I just want to make sure I'll have enough space for the side tanks.

Cheers,
Tbdanny

That's what  don't understand.  A heisler emerges from a factory with the siderods on both trucks in the same position (e.g. 6 o'clock).  But then, despite being connected to the same driveshaft, the wheels somehow manage to turn at different speeds, or get out of sync?  Wouldn't being on the same driveshaft mean that the wheels would always turn the same amount?