Hi all, I have a GP7 Proto 2k. A dcc decoder T1 was installed some years ago. Problem now is that one truck touching the rails causes the NCE power trottle screen to flick on and off every few seconds. The other truck on it's own causes no such problem. Loco is about 15 years old. This is my first time doing wiring on a loco so what would you suggest.
Thanks.
Sounds like you might have cracked gears and the stub axles are touching inside the gear, causing a short across the rails. Or if you have replaced the gears already, one of the wheelsets is pushed in too far - they don't go in as far as you can push them, that would result in too narrow a gauge. If you can fairly easily turn one of the wheelsets by hand, it's probably a cracked gear. Athearn part 60022 (I think) is a replacement (even though it says it is for an SD, it's the same axle diameter as the P2K wheels and the same size gear). Tp fix, the bottom cover snaps off the P2K truck, and the paired wheels with gear lifts out. The wheels twist off the gear and then are repalced int eh new gear - you want to center the gear and also will need a NMRA gauge to set them properly. While the bottom cover is off, clean out all the old grease and use a SMALL amount of something good like Labelle. Replace all of them - even the other truck. If it hasn't cracked yet, it will. The Athearn part includes 6 gears. I didn't bother waiting with mine, when I took them apart to put decoders in, I replaced the gears. Many continuous hours of running and I've not had the Athearn gears fail.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Athearn drive axle gears #ATH60024...six per pack.
Take Care!
Frank
Close!
rrinker Close!
OK.......I'll give You this one!
Thanks Randy and Frank. Actually I had recently replaced the cracked gears ( with the Walthers 920-584408 sets ) but then I did as you suggested re the axcels possibly touching and that did the trick. Thanks for your help and quick replies.
James.