I just purchased a Bachman GE 70T switcher at my LHS and noticed that in the forward direction the engine is having problems pulling/pushing cars. The motor winds up (at full speed) and the engine seems to lose traction and doesn't move. In the reverse direction, the engine pulls/pushes with no problem. Without cars, the engine seems a bit sluggish in the forward position and fine in the reverse. Any ideas....this is an HO scale DCC equipped loco....when programming I did just the basic to get it running, I didn't program in any other functions. Thanks!
Does the loco have traction tires? And if so did one of them wear out or fall off?
If it's not that then I'd suggest you remove the shell and watch the mechanism. Sometimes a gear will crack or slip on the shaft. You should be able to see it. Just remove the shell and hold the loco in place with your hand. Increase the throttle and see if the motor appears to move faster than the wheels.
Springfield PA
Are you running it on DC or DCC? If you are running it on DCC, you need to reprogram CV 29 to a value of 34 to turn off DC dual-mode operation and it will probably improve. You may also need to adjust CVs 3 and 4, momentum, for smoother operation.
The model probably needs to be broken in by running it in both directions for at least an hour. And don't forget to lubricate it first. Most models today are not lubricated at the factory, or are not properly lubricated.
The decoder used by Bachmann in their DCC On-Board models is not of very high quality, either.
cacole Are you running it on DC or DCC? If you are running it on DCC, you need to reprogram CV 29 to a value of 34 to turn off DC dual-mode operation and it will probably improve. You may also need to adjust CVs 3 and 4, momentum, for smoother operation. The model probably needs to be broken in by running it in both directions for at least an hour. And don't forget to lubricate it first. Most models today are not lubricated at the factory, or are not properly lubricated. The decoder used by Bachmann in their DCC On-Board models is not of very high quality, either.
I did run the "break in" time but the CV 29 reprogram I'll give it a try also momentum. This is a new loco (answer to previous post about wear on wheels). I really don't purchase Bachman much, I prefer Atlas or Athearn but I couldn't pass up the price of $49.00 for the switcher in my road colors. Thanks for the info, Steve
If by "winding up" you mean that the motor is turning fast, are the wheels also spinning, but not gripping? If so, and it's not happening in reverse, it's nothing to do with DCC but with the angles of drive shafts and the truck mounts, plus slop in the gear train - a small amount of flash may be causing the drive shafts to not slide or bend to accommodate the slop in the motor when it changes direction. Or, where the truck mounts touch the frame may be bent or rough or otherwise stopping the truck from keeping all four wheels flat on the ground.
Generally, when an engine runs well in one direction but not the other, it's nothing to do with the DCC or electronics and everything to do with the mechanical alignment of the motor parts, driveshafts, gears and axles - pop off the shell, use a strong light and watch as the engine moves in each direction. Watch for the motor to move excessively on its mounts, for drive shafts that bind or don't move smoothly, for trucks or axles that rock. You might have a chipped or damaged gear, but that usually affects motion in both directions.
Using DCC mods to try to correct mechanical troubles is like adjusting the fuel injection on the family car to correct a flat tire.....