Will this run on a straight dc track. If so why does mine run about 1 foot and stop? What voltage does it require? Amps?
Thanks.
Where exactly, is it stopping?
Not sure I understand questions, ,,, on the track, transformer hooked up and track tested with other ho scale locos. This loco moves about one foot before it stops running, light comes on, but will not move at full throttle. I am running DC only. It tests fine if I turn loco upside down and put in a cradle and introduce power directly to wheels. Just wont run on my track. Track is new and clean. Continuity test on track checks out fine with ohm-meter. Power to track 16V.
Quote from: elvira43 on October 21, 2016, 04:29:06 PM
Not sure I understand questions, ,,, on the track...This loco moves about one foot before it stops running...Just wont run on my track.
It was just 1 question, singular.
Ok
elvira mistress of the dark, now I am the one who does not understand; does the loco run on your track at all or not at all ???
Since you said it runs about a foot, then stops, my question is
where exactly (
on the track then obviously) does the loco stop? Conversely, what portion of the track does it run fine on? For example, does it run on one section, then stop after it crosses rail joiners?
on a section of the track that is connected to the transformer.
Ok.
Just that single section of track that is connected to the power pack? Is it really a foot (12") or just the section (9") that is the typical length of an HO terminal section of track?
What kind (make) of track is this?
What is the condition of the rail joiners connecting other sections of track?
Quote from: elvira43 on October 22, 2016, 10:25:53 AM
on a section of the track that is connected to the transformer.
To add to this wonderful quiz ;D, If it's stalling on the piece that the power supply is hooked to....
1- is the power supply working and/or connections solid?
2- is this section isolated from another dc power supply for a block section?
3- Is the terminal track bad?
4- Do you own a multi-meter where you can check the tracks before and after the dead track?
Are multiple power supplies in use, what is the voltage on the track,power supply?
Is it shorting out or just dead.
I've had locos run okay upside down in a cradle, but stop when placed on a track, and it's usually been one of two things:
a. Something in the running gear is binding when the loco is right side up, that is free to move when upside down.
b. Something in the loco is shifting, and jamming the mechanism when the loco is right side up, but drops out of the way when it's upside down.
If it was an electrical short, or open, the headlight would not stay on the way you describe it does.
Len
I think what the others were asking was, does the locomotive stop in the same place every time? if you place it on the tracks at another location does it go to the same spot then stop? or does it still stop after a foot? does it run well in reverse?
Quote from: Jerrys HO on October 22, 2016, 08:05:25 PM
To add to this wonderful quiz ;D
There is nothing wonderful about any of this. If it appears as a "quiz", it is because
elvira has been reluctant to provide details and the few provided, have been contrary. This has made it necessary to
ask several questions in an attempt to be of some assistance.
Quote from: Jerrys HO on October 22, 2016, 08:05:25 PM
1- is the power supply working and/or connections solid?
3- Is the terminal track bad?
4- Do you own a multi-meter where you can check the tracks before and after the dead track?
Elvira has already provided info that answers these questions; since he said the loco runs on the section hooked up to the power supply, obviously the power supply and terminal track are both working. And yes, he has use of a multi meter, he has already indicated he used one.
Quote from: Len on October 22, 2016, 11:17:17 PM
I've had locos run okay upside down in a cradle, but stop when placed on a track, and it's usually been one of two things:
a. Something in the running gear is binding when the loco is right side up, that is free to move when upside down.
b. Something in the loco is shifting, and jamming the mechanism when the loco is right side up, but drops out of the way when it's upside down.
Len
Len, one of the few things
elvira has confirmed thus far, is that the loco
runs "about 1 foot". That would have to be in the upright position, right?
Here is another question for
elvira; In your first sentence you asked about it running on "a straight dc track". Are you asking if the loco can run on straight DC or simply on track that is straight? Also, is this a DCC or DCC ready loco?
Since Elvira said it runs fine upside down, running about 1 foot right side up doesn't negate either of the probable mechanical issues I mentioned. In fact, that makes it more probable the problem is mechanical, either binding or jamming, in nature.
Len
I get what you are trying to ascertain, but why would it run for a full 12" before stopping if the cause was a binding/mechanical issue?
Quote from: jbrock27 on October 23, 2016, 09:07:14 AM
I get what you are trying to ascertain, but why would it run for a full 12" before stopping if the cause was a binding/mechanical issue?
It may take that long for vibration to make whatever it is shift, or for the linkage to move into a position to jam. I've seen locos that run fine in one direction, but jammed up after traveling a short distance in the opposite direction when the armature shifted. Sometimes it takes a close look with a good light and magnifying glass to see what's happening.
Len
QuoteThere is nothing wonderful about any of this. If it appears as a "quiz", it is because elvira has been reluctant to provide details and the few provided, have been contrary. This has made it necessary to ask several questions in an attempt to be of some assistance.
I was not dis agreeing with you and you are correct that the details are few.QuoteElvira has already provided info that answers these questions; since he said the loco runs on the section hooked up to the power supply, obviously the power supply and terminal track are both working. And yes, he has use of a multi meter, he has already indicated he used one.
I may be reading it wrong but it appears to stop on the powered section.
QuoteSince you said it runs about a foot, then stops, my question is where exactly (on the track then obviously) does the loco stop?
QuoteQuote from: elvira43 on October 22, 2016, 10:25:53 AM
on a section of the track that is connected to the transformer.
Jerry, you have a funky way of going about quoting, it hurts the eyes, LOL :D
Quote from: Jerrys HO on October 23, 2016, 09:22:10 AM
I was not dis agreeing with you and you are correct that the details are few.
Thank you :)
Quote from: Jerrys HO on October 23, 2016, 09:22:10 AM
I may be reading it wrong but it appears to stop on the powered section.
You have a point brother. And God knows what the heck he is attempting to convey based on the manner he has provided his answers to my questions, but
if the terminal section of track is not working, then how is power getting anywhere, which includes the section it actually runs on? We are dealing with another BigJoe11a here, me thinks :D.
Len, again, hear what you are saying. I just think 12" is a long distance to travel if there is mechanical issue. My expectation would be it would stop at a much shorter distance than 12". But, and maybe I should apologize for this, I never had any locos that acted like
elvira's where the cause rested with the loco. If there was a mechanical issue with a loco, they would be immobile from the get go.
In the 14 years my repair shop was open, I saw a LOT of weird mechanical issues that were not obvious at first glance.
To me the key points are:
- The loco runs fine when it's upside down in a cradle, with power applied directly to the wheels/pickups.
- Upright on the track, the headlight stays on when the loco stops. It would go out if there were a short or dead spot.
So that pretty much narrows it down to some kind of mechanical issue. Maybe even a wad of pet hair in the mechanism.
After looking at the exploded diagram, there is one other possible explanation:
- The lower motor brush is worn out. Upside down, gravity would keep it in contact with the commutator. Right side up, vibration may make it lose contact after running a short distance. Not as likely as a mechanical issue, but not impossible.
Len
It ran about one foot on a 36 inch section of powered flex track . It did not cross any joiners.
Thank you, at last, for this descriptive response.
Now knowing this, I have to lean then toward what Len has suggested. E, do you have the ability to take the loco apart for internal inspection?
one thing I have often found to be a cause of binding is a piece of grit getting in the gearbox. if this is the case, the locomotive will bind in both directions. once you find it, the grit can usually be picked out of the gear teeth with a hobby knife or small screwdriver. but to find it you will probably have to disconnect the worm gear from the other gears, and turn the wheels by hand while observing the gears very carefully.
Yes I have the skill set to dis-assemble and inspect. I was just hoping someone else had experienced the same issue and would be able to steer me in the right direction. Thanks ,I will post results of inspection.