MTH's Pantograph maintenance

[spikejones52002]

I have photos for the opening of MTH's GG-1 to replace the "O" rings.

MTH uses "O" rings to rase and lower the pantographs.

The drive motor and gear box is very strong and looks well made.

Problem is the "O" rings.

MTH's  "G" gauge GG-1 is just over a year old. I ran them spairinly. I did not change direction a lot.

I noticed that the Pantograph were not retracting when they should.

I removed the pantograph from the engine. Suggestion lift up and out the insulator from the body. Removing the pantograph from the top of the insulators tiny ball. Shaves the ball size down. Soon the pantograph does not lock down.

I opened the body.

 

 

The front and back half is the identical in screw replacement.

 

Now you see the two mounting post for the pan. The red loose plug is the plug for the Pan.

This is the drive unit for the pantograph. The drive is friction via "O" rings. After the pan reaches the desired place the drive slips the excess motor rotation.

 

Here you can make out all the cracking in the "O" ring.

 

Two screws top and bottom hold the sliding posts unit to the drive unit. 

Suggestion remove the bottom screws. That way you do not have to worry about the two spacers. I lost two of mine. ?? how,Where??

The slider bar just pops off and on the center slotted black post.

MTH shaved one side of the washer as not to interfere with the sliders.

 

Show here is the string and sliding post that actually raze and lower the Pantograph. Actually all the work is lowering the pans. The springs rase the pans.

The string is wrapped around the top of the wheel to pull down the pans.

MTH uses two fiber washers to give enough clearance for the string to wrap and not bind the drive unit.

It is a poor design but it is cheep and works (well some what).

I forgot the package with the "ACE hardware" number. I replaced the $0.88 with. Will update.    ACE Hardware # 780048

                                   Faucet 1-3H

                                  1-1/8 x 15/16 x 3/32

Do not go any thicker. It will rub / bind on the separators / mounting posts.

Do not go any tighter to motor does and needs slippage at the end or travel.

When reassembling just be careful getting the sliders correctly on the track.  Position does not matter. One cycle and the slider are ready.

[dwbeckett]

Spike, that was a very good How To Post, you should submit it GRR.

Dave

[spikejones52002]

Dave what is GRR??

[Greg Elmassian]

The sound an angry dog makes?

[dwbeckett]

spikejones52002

Dave what is GRR??

Garden Railways mag

Should have read GR

Dave