diremaker Thanks Larry, motor runs fine in both directions. Guess now I need to focus on the reverse unit. The wires look great so I'll re-solderer the fingers and go from there, unless you have any more helpful advice?!? Since the reverse unit cycles so nicely, is there anywhere else I should look for a crossed wire. Again, from a visual inspection, it looks good. Light works too. Should I just rewire everything?
Thanks Larry, motor runs fine in both directions. Guess now I need to focus on the reverse unit. The wires look great so I'll re-solderer the fingers and go from there, unless you have any more helpful advice?!? Since the reverse unit cycles so nicely, is there anywhere else I should look for a crossed wire. Again, from a visual inspection, it looks good. Light works too. Should I just rewire everything?
diremaker, did you ever get this loco running properly?
Rich
Alton Junction
Glad to hear that your motor is fine. You need to check the reverse unit to insure the contacts are installed properly, and then rewire the engine. A wiring diagram is here. You need to hook up the wires exactly as shown, or the motor will not run, or reverse properly.
Larry
The only other thing that I can think of is the driver wheels. Are they binding in forward? Seems like if the driver wheels work well in reverse, they should work well in forward. But, in the past, I have had some similar problems as yours, and the cause has been the driver wheels. You might try removing the linkage, or connecting rods, and see if the driver wheels are turning freely in both directions when power is applied.
If the motor runs good in reverse, the armature can not be bad. If you get smoke from the field winding, then you may have a wiring issue, with some wires possibly crossed. Also pull the armature out and check to make sure the wheels are turning freely in both directions and not binding. This could stall an armature. If you can totally disconnect the reverse unit from the motor, you can isolate the motor and check it alone. Hook one transformer wire to one brush, the other brush connect to one field winding, and the other field winding gets connected back to the transformer. The motor should run in one direction. Disconnect the wires to both brushes and reverse them, and the motor will run in the opposite direction.
It must pass this test before you go any further. If it runs in both directions, you probably have a wiring or reverse unit issue. If it does not run in both directions equally well, you have a motor issue. Make sure all motor bearings and wheel bearings are properly lubricated first.
Rich and Larry,
Thanks for the advice. I again checked the drum and fingers and everything is making contact...I removed the fingers, re-aligned and still, the unit is cycling great. But, still in reverse. There is a slight movement from the armature that it wants to spin forward, but it doesn't and then there is some smoke from the field. Problem is that I don't have a matching armature without pulling another engine apart!
TrainLarry It sounds like you may have installed the contacts incorrectly. Make sure you put the contacts in their correct positions. The drum will work in either orientation; there is no wrong installation for it. Larry
It sounds like you may have installed the contacts incorrectly. Make sure you put the contacts in their correct positions. The drum will work in either orientation; there is no wrong installation for it.
I am with Larry on this one.
I have the exact same steamer.
It sounds to me like the copper finger contact boards are switched or reversed.
Lou,
I've had this problem before with Gilbert steamers. I've seen two causes:
1. Dirt on the drum. Even after I think that the drum is totally clean, it can still have residual dirt that can cause one direction to be inoperative. Cleaning a second time helps.
2. One finger not making contact with the drum after twisting the tabs to secure the fiber strip to the unit. I've seen this issue more than once after reinstalling the fingers. With the reversing unit sequenced to what would be the forward position, press on the fiber strips. If that doesn't help, lightly press on each finger.
I don't see the armature being the problem since the motor runs in reverse.
No, i'm now familiar with these trains...the drum is in correctly. I am actually waiting for someone to tell me its the armature...which I think is the issue. Anyone else suggest I buy a new armature first?
Engine runs strong in reverse when I get it going...nothing forward. I just can't see it being the reverse unit.
Hello all,
I've recently been working on a AF 312 SIT and have already rebuilt the SIT unit and have been messing around with the boiler now. I've removed and cleaned the drum, new fingers, all the wiring looks great. New brushes and its been lubed up. Only problem is that the reversing unit cycles great, but it seems to line-up incorrectly or something, because the only way I can get the loco to move is by hand manipulating the drum...then I can only get it in reverse. The fingers are making good contacts, besides rewiring the whole loco, any one have any ideas why I need to manipulate the drum to get the loco in reverse...then it won't go forward. It a 4 cycle reverse unit. All the mechanics in the reverse unit are moving freely, and like I said, it never sticks and cycles fine. Thanks in advance!
Lou
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