K-line up in smoke!

[alexweiihman]

Well I turn on the trans former of my K-lne Erie F-3s and a nice steady stream of smoke started to comeout, wait I thought I turned off the smoke, and wait whats that burning smell???!!! I turnd the Z off and rushed to check what happended I discoverd 2 wires had melted themselves to the plastic side of the shell and that these were the two wire goig to one of the motors! Does anyone know what could of caused this.

[magicman710]

If its still under warrenty you could more than likely get it fixed by Lionel.

Heck if I know the cause! The only thing I know is AC current makes them run!

[1688torpedo]

  Hello Alex-  I would be willing to guess that the wires you mentioned must have been pinched together to the point where the insulation must have worn off causing the short & smoke you spoke of here or maybe one of the wires rubbed against something hard or sharp & that caused the insulation to wear off?  Take Care.

[magicman710]

  Hello Alex-  I would be willing to guess that the wires you mentioned must have been pinched together to the point where the insulation must have worn off causing the short & smoke you spoke of here or maybe one of the wires rubbed against something hard or sharp & that caused the insulation to wear off?  Take Care.

He should have used grits to keep them wires well apart. Alex, you need to but you some grits and take the cover off all of your locos, and just shake a package of grits on the wires and motors. Right Keith?

[1688torpedo]

 Grayson-  Grits are better used for Mountains & Scenery! Take Care.

[magicman710]

Keith, didnt you hear?!!! Woodland senics is now using grits as a cheap alternitive to rocks for ballast!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Alex I call this the MTH factor and have become an expert in this problem. I call it the MTH factor only because it has happen to my new out of the box diesels often. The problem is a short of some type and is the result of stuffing a ton of electronics in a tight space.

My latest was a out of the box MTH and as soon as the power was applied to the tracks the smoke and smell followed. After taking off the shell the wires were burnt and melted. In my case I was able to trace the broblem to the place the wires are attached to the front truck. The little protective boots had worked up the wire and the two wire were touching.

I am happy to say that in this case there was no lasting damage. I replace the wires and everything ran like new.

In another case I had a wire come out of the little yellow wire nut that resulted in a short and melted wires on my MTH Aerotrain. Again no lasting damage just some wire replacement.

Good luck on the trouble shooting and replacing the wire.

PS Now I know why I can't wait for school to start.

[alexweiihman]

Well this was an orignal K-line that lionel dilevered so Ill try to get them to fix it since they put their own product number on it.

[magicman710]

Well, I hope you get it fixed. You should have used grits insulation!

[alexweiihman]

Well, I hope you get it fixed. You should have used grits insulation!

 

Ehhhh....I think Ill leave off the grits

[magicman710]

Well, I hope you get it fixed. You should have used grits insulation!

 

Ehhhh....I think Ill leave off the grits

YOUR decision..... Not a good one may I add......