Hello...I bought a $50.00 engine/tender for as "Parts Only" on Ebay. I almost got the engine running but now at a standstill. In short...almost everything is doing what it should be doing except when I place it down on test track or main line...it binds and barely moves forward, but it does move. When I lift the engine slightly off the track it purrs great...goes up to speed, no binding, no grinding sounds...perfect. Gear is good, eccentrics seems ok, contact plate is installed ok...Operates great upside down on test track I will add too.
So for now, I've concluded that the weight of locomotive is causing the bind and the bind may be motor related and that's where I lack experience to proceed. So say I'm on to something...what's next for me to try" An inspection of the motor" What do I look for?
I don't normally do trains during golf season but I'm so close on this one. Also the light does not work but there are instructions online for that.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Sounds like if you shim something up enough to just slightly loosen the fit of the worm gear on the driver axle gear, oughta fix it.
Thanks for reply trainman203....now what!!! Kidding... I completely disassembled the engine and got familiar with what I'm working with but have no idea where to shim. There's a little endplay in the motor but all seem normal, clean, no wear marks, etc...I ran the motor with the one motor mount removed and ran it up full voltage with no problem....real smooth. The only thing I can question is there is a rectangular part that fits between the worm gear and the motor mount. It has a rounded cutout on both ends (alignment of the shafts?) and a positioning notch. That part may have been loose or got out of position...I might glue that part in. Other than trial and error and hope, I don't really know what to do next. Light works, must be an issue somewhere else in the board or program.
Anyways...I enjoyed what I did do...any more thought?
Something is letting that driver with the gear push-up tighter against the worm gear when the engines put on the track. It sounds to me like a shim is needed somewhere.
There's a Bachmann 4-6-0 that belongs to my friend at my house right now with the exact same problem. I've not been brave enough to take it apart yet so I'm waiting to see what you find and do. But I am 99% convinced that something is allowing too much vertical play in the axle that lets it move up too tightly against the worm when the weight of the engine move the axle vertically up.
That will work for me trainman203...not sure when I'll get too it but will keep in touch...To agree....the issue is when you put the engine on the track and all remains static, there is weight pushing down causing the bind. This is supported to when you lift the engine off the track you remove or reduce the binding.. thanks
I need to eventually take that binding 4-6-0 apart and try to fix it. Too much other stuff getting in the way of Model Railroading right now.
No success on this one...many hours...learned alot...same results...Had to retire this project for now...