Proto 1 Help

[CNJfan]

I have a RailKing Camelback 30-1141-1 with Proto 1.
The problem I am having is when at low voltage in forward or reverse, the sound system begins to "chuff" when the engine is not even moving. I can stay at the low voltage and listen to it "chuff" at a slow rate and never move.
What do you think is causing this?

Also, when entering the shutdown sequence, there isn't much of a sequence. You get a little idle sounds then one clank of the bell and that's it. It's been quite a while since I have run this engine so I don't remember if that's all the shutdown sequence ever did.
Before placing power to the track, I installed the BCR battery replacement so it shouldn't be a low battery issue.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Knowing if this is a major or minor problem will help me decide wether to have it repaired or upgrade it to Proto 2.

Thanks in advance,
Tim Callahan

[spankybird]

HI Tim

Be sure with the BRC that you are charging the capacitor for 1 full minute at 12 volts for greater before putting the engine in forward. If you are doing that, then it sounds like you have a bad wire harness from the tender to the engine. Make sure it is plug in good and correctly (wire up).

If it is the harness, they are about $10.00 and five minutes to install. They have quick disconnects on the tender side (4 of them).

Here is a link to download a parts list for your engine

http://www.mth-railking.com/detail.asp?item=30-1141-1

If you need a repair center, I like Rick’s Toy Trains in Toledo, Ohio.

tom

[CNJfan]

First of all I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions and help.
Unfortunately I have been unable to resolve this issue.
This is what I have done so far:

Swapped out the BCR with another BCR.
Swapped out the BCR with a know good battery.
Checked the tether connections at the board.
Removed the motor to check the drivetrain for binding.
Re-lubricated the entire drivetrain.
Performed the "27 reset" multiple times at different slow speeds and stall speeds.
Performed the "18 reset".

At this point I do not know what else to try.
Sending it out for repair might be my next step. Doing that raises another question.
Do I put the money into repairing the Proto 1 or do I have it upgraded to Proto 2?
I would have to find someone that was able perform either repair/upgrade.

Thanks,
Tim Callahan

[spankybird]

Hi Tim,

Even thou you have check the connection of the wiring harness to the board, some harness have gone bad at the molded end where it plugs into the engine. If a wire has a break in it at that point, it will do the what you are describing.

If you wi***o sent it to an authorized repair center.

Davis Trains 217 Main Street Milford ,OH 45150 513-831-6425


tom

[Anonymous]

You need to reset the chuff rate at position 27. If you do not know how to do this e-mail me and I can tell you. If it just sits and chuffs and does not run that means one of the wires to the motor is disconnected either in the engine or the board. If it starts chuffing before it starts to run, but does run then position 27 is the fix, or an 18 reset will do it too.