Large Scale Central

Aristo RS-3 block problem

Problem Solving
#1

Hi,

I have recently bashed a boxcab using an Aristocraft RS-3 motorblock I had laying around, but the block doesn’t run out of the package. there are two sets of wires coming out the top of the block, is there a board they should be plugged into for it to run? If so is there a way around it?

Thanks

#2

What did you do with the wires?

One pair is the motor lead, the other pair is the power pick-up. In order for the block to run on track power they need to be tied together. Aristo rarely follows a color code, so you’ll need to figure the wires out with a meter.

With the block off the track a large resistance value between a pair of wires indicates the motor. The other two should read infinite resistance (open) between the two and 0 ohms between one and one wheel.

Once you know which is which, tying one each of the pick-up leads to one each of the motor leads will allow the block to run on track power. If it runs backwards, swap the wires around.

#3
Jon Radder said:
...

With the block off the track a large resistance value between a pair of wires indicates the motor. …


With all due respect Jon, I call a “large” resistance something on the order of meg ohms (millions of ohms). Motors are typically in the range of 50 ohms. But all else is spot on advice!

#4

No problem Del - I was doing that off the top of my head. Thanks for the clarification.

#5

Jon is correct on the motor block wiring. Last weekend I picked up a RS-3 for a song and a dance, complete with sound, but it ran like crap, so tonight i took it apart and discovered a broken wire amongst the gunk n dirt. I swapped out a truck and realized there was no rhyme nor reason to the wire colors, and had to dig out the meter. Glad to say the old gal is running as of 11pm tonight.