mclean rrI have run a new Mantua pacific steam engine with an MRC 0001869 decoder for about 45 minutes - it ran and sounded great. Then I tried to run it again; it started to make a burning (frying) sound, smelled, would not run and the lights flickered on the EZ Command.
To me, it sounds like the op purchased a brand new Mantua Pacific. This engine would have a low current can motor.
It also sounds like the mechanism ran well until some type of short occurred.
mclean rrDoes it sound like the decoder just shorted out or is it possible that the motor somehow jammed?
Using your finger or a screw driver, reach through the back of the cab and see if you can turn the flywheel. If so, the engine or mechanism is not locked.
mclean rrI have heard that MRC has had reliability problems with their decoders; is this correct?
I am not a DCC person, but if I were, based on past comments from this forum, I would have purchased the DC version and added my own decoder.
Jim
McLean,
You don't say where you purchased it....But if you got it new from Walthers,,Mantua steam,,,send it back,,some of the Mantua steam,,have a life time warranty....In any event,send it back..There are other posts,,that you put the same question on,,and got the same answer..
Cheers,
Frank
Unless they were really old Mantual (late 50's or so) they weren't Pittman motors, they were Pittman knockoffs. Witht he magnets replaced with some rare earth types, they can be quite efficient. The original Pittman motors weren;t too bad when the magnets were fresh, based on test results in old issues of MR. A 40 or 50 year old motor will likely have weakend magnets by now, which greatly increases the current draw. Those ones used in the late 60's and 70's, those were cheap Japanese knockoffs of the Pittman design and NEVER were any good.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Normally I'd place my money on the MRC decoder doing the famous frying act. I've had some do it to me. I'll never buy or use another one. Junk in my book. But in this case I would say the loco is likely the cause. I had several Mantua steamers back years ago that had the Pittman open frame motors. While those motors run very well they can and often do pull a lot of power on start up. The only locos I have now that have Pittman motors are Varney F3's and I won't be putting any decoders on them. I'll put in Athearn drives then install decoders in them.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Sounds like the decoder is fried. Now, as to the cause, sure, the motor could have siezed up or the gears jammed. Likely though the motor draws too much current for the decoder. You need to switch it back to DC and make sure it runs smoothly, and test the current draw running and stalled on DC, and pick a decoder based on that. If the motor draws excessive current, you may hve to repalce it with a more efficient one before installing a decoder.
I have run a new Mantua pacific steam engine with an MRC 0001869 decoder for about 45 minutes - it ran and sounded great. Then I tried to run it again; it started to make a burning (frying) sound, smelled, would not run and the lights flickered on the EZ Command.
I have heard that MRC has had reliability problems with their decoders; is this correct?
I am going to return the loco, hopefully they will refund my money since I purchased it less than 2 months ago.
Does it sound like the decoder just shorted out or is it possible that the motor somehow jammed?
Has any one had a similar experience?
mcLean rr