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An engine that keeps tripping the transformer . . . .

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An engine that keeps tripping the transformer . . . .
Posted by Bob Baker on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 6:16 PM

Good Evening,

 

Hypothetically speaking, if someone had a locomotive that ran for a couple seconds and tripped the transformer, what could be causing this?  Thanks for your time.

 

                                                                          -Bob

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 7:37 PM

depends on the transformer. I had one of those cheap 2 piece transformer where you had like a transformer and then the controller separately and I had engines that would trip that in an instance because they drew to much power ( dual motor ones) Even had one that a pul-mor motor would trip it so again it depends on the transformer. If your talking a fairly powerful one you have a short in the engine somewhere now if its a steamer with whistle tender it could be either have a short in them.

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Posted by sir james I on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 8:30 PM

Not much info to go on here but could be the transformer is too small for the load or a short. If it's an old transformer the breaker could be defective as well.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by phillyreading on Thursday, May 2, 2013 1:35 PM
Is it just the engine alone? If you have lighted cars the center rail pick-up can also short out. Bob, could you give a little more info as to what engine and transformer, example an MTH PS-2 SD-45 with a Lionel CW-80 transformer, or a Legacy SD-45 with an MTH Z-750.
Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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Posted by geeppe on Friday, May 3, 2013 2:52 AM

I had an interesting experience with a JEP loco that has a cast motor block, the holes for the two bushes being lined with small plastic sleeves.  The loco ran OK, sometimes.  Turned out that one of the plastic sleeves had a tiny chip out of one end.  The sleeve could, and would, rotate during use, and a short occured if the small (tiny) chipped area happened to align with a certain area of the motor block, where the casting was a little rough.  A touch of glue on the sleeve to prevent it rotating has cured the problem.

Graeme

Graeme, Scotland TCA 04-57743
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Posted by Bob Baker on Saturday, May 4, 2013 6:25 PM

Gentlemen,

 

Thank you so much.  I now have an idea where to start, and a direction afterwards.  Truly, many thanks!

 

                                                                      -Bob

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