Large Scale Central

Who does troubleshooting?

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

I have a problem with one of my locos. It’s a Bachmann 4-6-0, with BBT drive, Phoenix sound, Aristocraft Revolution r/c, and battery power. It was running, and then just stopped (inside a tunnel, naturally). I figured the battery was dead, so I charged it and put it away. But since then, it still doesn’t run. The sound works, and the transmitter successfully links to the receiver, so it’s not the battery.

I’ve opened the tender and looked for loose connections or burnt fuses but everything seems to be ok. I suspect the problem is in the engine. Now, I opened the engine myself when I converted it to battery power, but I’m not really keen to do it again. So I was hoping to find someone locally (San Diego area) who could handle it. Sadly the one guy here who did that kind of work is in hospice.

So I’ll probably try to do it myself. However, unless the problem is something obvious like a broken wire, it’s likely to be beyond my very limited skills to diagnose and repair. If that’s the case, and I can’t find anyone locally, I’ll be forced to ship it somewhere for repair. Any recommendations? Who does this kind of stuff?

#2

Train-Li does this and they do have the REVO transmitter.

Did you try re linking the receiver in case it ‘lost’ its memory?

Is it just the motor stopped or nothing works?

#3

Ray after checking all wires put some power direct to motor to see if it works. If it works go back to receiver see if you have power out put on motors side
Mike

#4

Ray, did you ever figure this out?

Greg

#5

Well, I finally got around to testing the output from the tender – there is definitely power coming out. So the problem is inside the engine. Today I attemped to open it up myself, but soon decided against it. I’m worried that if I got it apart I might not be able to get it back together again. I thought I had opened it before, when converting it to battery power, but I was wrong. At that time, I only need to change the wiring in the smoke box, and didn’t need to disassemble the engine.

So anyway, I’m back to trying to find someone with experience who can do it. I may call the local train hobby shop (Reed’s) and see if they do that kind of stuff or can recommend someone. I’ve also sent an email to Barry to see if he’ll do it, if I can’t find anyone locally.

#6

If it has a BBT drive it should be fairly simple to just drop the drive unit. Disconnect the push rods to the middle axles, and there should be just 2 screws on the bottom that hold the BBT drive in. One at the back of the unit and one at the front under where the front truck is connected to the drive. It will just lift tight out. (Of course I’m talking about a 20 year old unit that I have and trying to recall all this from when I installed them in my locos).

I’ve had the one BBT drive out of the loco numerous times for various reasons and one of them was for the same problem you’re having. Turned out to be a pinched wire that finally broke.

#7

when in doubt, I just call TOC

#8

Cale Nelson said:

when in doubt, I just call TOC

Or you can do that…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#9

Don’t know how far you are from Corona but you might try Jonathan.

http://www.rctrains.com/

#10

Rick Marty said:

Don’t know how far you are from Corona but you might try Jonathan.

http://www.rctrains.com/

Ray,

Rick is correct here in recommending Jonathan Bliese at RC Trains, aka Electric Steam Model Works. Actually he is in Chino, not Corona. Give him a call. He has done all of my installations, Phoenix/Airwire. He’s the best AND close by.

#11

Gary Armitstead said:

Rick Marty said:

Don’t know how far you are from Corona but you might try Jonathan.

http://www.rctrains.com/

Ray,

Rick is correct here in recommending Jonathan Bliese at RC Trains, aka Electric Steam Model Works. Actually he is in Chino, not Corona. Give him a call. He has done all of my installations, Phoenix/Airwire. He’s the best AND close by.

All those southern California towns are the same to me (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-money-mouth.gif)

Rick, the soon to be Oregonian

#12

Cale Nelson said:

when in doubt, I just call TOC

Is he still around? I haven’t seen any posts from him in ages. How do I contact him?

#13

Ray Dunakin said:

Cale Nelson said:

when in doubt, I just call TOC

Is he still around? I haven’t seen any posts from him in ages. How do I contact him?

#14

Thanks! I called Dave, he suggested I send it to Barry and gave me Barry’s phone number. I talked to Barry and shipped it to him, he fixed it quickly and sent it back, A-OK!

Only problem was, the chuff no longer worked. Spent a couple days trying to figure that out, then realized I’d forgotten there’s little switch on the rear of the loco that shuts off the sound. Yep, it had gotten flipped to the “off” position, probably while removing the loco from the packing.