Hi, I recently bought a beautiful LGB 20872 Santa Fe Mikado Steam Loco, now an old model but new from the shop. I have run it only a few times but I noticed that it has stopped reversing (was doing so). The reverse light starts to come on on the tender and the sound start to come on, but before too much power is throttled, the light goes out and everything stops. The throttle shows 2 lights at once with indicates a short, also the car lights (which are lit from trackpower pickups) also go out suggesting a power short.
All other trains work fine, no problem reversing.
Tried disconnecting all cars and the tender, but problem seems related to loco itself.
Had a rudimentary look at the wiring to the articulated trucks, but cant see any loose connections there or under the cab,
any thoughts?
Regards,
Dan
This is totaly new and has warenty? Back to the shop.
or if you have a test track strip and time to undo all the screws to check all the parts on the board/s.
According to a quick search, this has MTS.
Therefore, if running on analog, if you have any PW component at all, you have most likely fried the decoder.
BTDT.
If it was mine, I'd gut it, wire direct, and put in a good aftermarket sound that is useable with all control systems.
If you must keep it, I'd call Massoth in Georgia and see what they can do for you.
Hi, yes, this is running on an analog track. What is a "PW" component? Is the decoder just for sound or does it control lights/motors?
PW is Pulse Width modulation. Most power supplies have it and it enables your lights and such to come on at a much lower voltage than the motor. It is also not compatible with all electrical components.
-Brian
dan green wrote: Hi, yes, this is running on an analog track. What is a "PW" component? Is the decoder just for sound or does it control lights/motors?
Okay, I guess I need to be a tad more specific.
What power supply and controller combination are you using to power this?
Im using a 50111 LGB-AC Transformer and a 51070 LGB Analog Throttle, Indoor, 5 Amp.
I dont think they should cause any problems... by the way, it is running a little slow. Do Mikados require a more gutsy power supply?
Regards
Your supply is as demanded by the manufacturer.
No, they should not be slow.
How early is this one?
Almost sounds like it's motor or geartrain related.
Tried running it upside down with power leads attached?
I think this model came out in 2001. Glad to hear its less likely a decoder problem... perhaps looking at the geartrain would be usefull? Ive never tried running an engine from power leads. Does this help isolate a particular problem?
thanks
Absolutely.
You can see if it's binding, see if it runs by iteslf upside down, observe where binds are.
I'd look at the quartering between front and rear gearbox first.
Then I'd ask if this was one of the early ones that needed new chassis, and if I had ever had that done.
I'd look for end play in the motor.
I would pull the plugs off the end of the motor if it didn't run any better upside down and apply power directly to the motor.
All those things help.
I do it every day.
ok, i have had a look at the underside.... the motor runs fine backwards and forwards with power going directly to it. No sign of anything wrong in the gearing as the problem persists when the whole assembly is bypassed and I run power straight to the main board. So theres something in the circuit between the red/black to the main board and the black/brown out of the main board. Tried disconnecting all plugs in turn (firebox, tender, speed etc.) and reverse still not enabled. When I disconnect the ribbon cable to the sound unit, nothing gets through to the motor. I cant see anythign blindingly obvious on the sound board or the decoder board that suggests a bad connection or a possible short....
What were you referring to when you mentioned this model needing a new chassis?
Some first release units had....."issues".
That's why I had you apply power to the motor direct.
You've tried all this without the tender plugged in, right?
If you have eliminated all the possible external sources of problems, the only place left is in the actual board.
I would not care to speculate on availability, but even when available, they wouldn't "send" you one.
You had to mail them the loco.
If nothing available in Sandy Eigo, you might look up Massoth in Georgia.
Dan,
I would recommend a call to the LGBoA's service department and discribe your issue.
Toll free - 800-669-0607 and press "1"
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month