MTH Static

[Anonymous]

Hello:
I have an MTH Railking 6-8-6 Bantam Turbine Steam Engine
Item # 30-1167-0. The sound worked fine out of the
box. The third time I ran the engine there is a lot of
static. The pickups, wheels, and track are clean. The
unit is like brand new. All connections are OK. I've
cleaned everything. If I connect the unit directly to
a transformer, thus eliminating track, the static is
still there. The problem doesn't seem to be in the
tether cable as I can jiggle/bend it to no avail. All internal connectors appear OK.
Doesn't matter where the voume is set. Please help.
Thanks

[prewardude]

Sounds like the battery might need charged...

[spankybird]

I agree with the new battery. This engine was listed in the 2000 vol 2 catalog, so the battery is about 4 years old.

You can test it with a new 9 volt to see if it helps but replace it with either a NiCad or NiMH or the BRC

here is source for NiMH http://thomas-distributing.com/ap-200-1.htm
and for the BRC http://www.jandwelectronics.com

[CNJfan]

Locosound,
If you posted the item # correctly, your engine does not have a battery. It would be only locosounds which does not use a battery.
What type of transformer are you using?
Certain types of transformers can cause this static.
Tim C.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies! The engine has no battery, that is the correct item #. I've been using a Lionel LW transformer all along, pre static and post static. I've also tried a small Marx transformer. Haven't bothered trying the ZW though.
Thanks

[CNJfan]

The LW should run the locosounds fine so at this point I am not sure what could be causing this. Hopefully someone else here will have some suggestions.
Keep us informed of your progress.
Tim C.

QUOTE: Originally posted by locosound

Thanks for the replies! The engine has no battery, that is the correct item #. I've been using a Lionel LW transformer all along, pre static and post static. I've also tried a small Marx transformer. Haven't bothered trying the ZW though.
Thanks