I am currently intalling the Electric Railroad Company's AC Commander in a Lionel L3 Mohawk that came out when Lionel was first adding digital sounds to their steam locomotives. Everything seems straight forward except the motor has a couple of extra sockets at the back with a black wire that runs from one, in through the cab, and plugs into the socket on the other side of the motor. I don't want to risk blowing out the board and would like to know if anyone can tell me what these extra wires are for and if they would be used in the installation.
Thanks,
John T.
There are some regular participants here that may be able to assist you, but I am unable to do so. If you do not get a response at this site, try posting at
https://www.modeltrainforum.com/.
swede
Thanks, I haven't heard anything yet and thought this may be a fairly common 1990 era loco but apparently not. Thanks again for the suggestion!
JPThut
John,
I have installed at least 6-8 ERR units but they were in DC equiped locomotives. Take a photo of your motor and send it to ERR and ask for help.
After installation and testing I have never had a problem with ERR products.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Thanks Buckeye Riveter,
I too have installed probably 8-10 of the DC/Cruise Commanders and a couple of the AC Commanders. (I used to sell them.)The issue isn't with the ERR product but with the engine. I have never seen an engine with this extra wire and plug that goes from one side of the back of the motor to the other. And I want to know what it is for before wiring an AC commander into the circuit.
ERR with photo may be able to tell you what the extra wire is for. They see more "things" than you or I ever will see.
Buckeye,
Good thought. I used to talk to Ken when he had the company out in CA but have not become aquainted with the new guy yet. I did find a diagram that explains what the "extra" wire is. The diagram is on Dave Farquhar's site, "The Silicon Underground". You can see it here: https://dfarq.homeip.net/?s=lionel+e+unit&submit=Search
This engine is the only one I have ever seen with the extra plugs shown!
In order to integrate the ERR Commander with a Pulmor universal motor, you need the bridge based conversion circuit that makes universal motors behave like can motors.
OK, thanks, so what is this and where does one find it?
The loco is now running very well so I think I should let all contibutors know what happened. As I suspected, I did need to add a wire between the field lug to the ground lug. I believe this was necessary because of the "plug and socket" system Lionel used on this engine to control the E unit. Removing the E unit removed the original ground. Thanks to all who contributed!
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