Got a new Broadway DCC Light Pacific for Xmas, works great without sound on. Not a blip anywhere on the layout. Stutter free everwhere, every turnout or crossing. Put sound on and it hesitates everwhere even on a straight stretch of track. Running it in without sound now while I write this. I have the plug from the tender pushed all the way in. I have some Diesel sound loco that do this when the wheels get dirty. I would guess the higher current draw of sound is causing this? Does this loco draw power from the tender only or both loco and tender? Any ideas on how to clean tender wheels. I clean loco wheels using the paper towel wetted with track cleaner and spin the wheels on it to clean them but this is not an option with tender wheels, also the loco has a traction driver so I am reluctant to put solvent on them.
I just had the same problem with their Paragon3 T&P 2 10 4. In my case some of the brass tender pickups were not making contact with the axles. The thread is still just a bit below yours under Brass Hybrid stalling on switches. There is good advice in there.
Does it run better in reverse of forward? If so its most likely the pickups in the tender or loco. Also being a pacific it does not have the same amount of drivers up front for pickup. This loco might be a good case for the need of a current keeper.
SB
Before anything else make double sure that plug between the tender and the loco is all the way into the socket. It mat look that it is in but sometimes it is not and the result is that you get sound but no motor movement.
Thanks, the plug is fully seated almost flush. I think the problem is the tender pickup wheels as if I put my finger pressing down lightly the loco will move when it is stalled?
David, that is exactly the same issue I have with a BLI Hudson-stalls and then can be corrected by LIGHTLY pressing down on the tender. I’d be interested in how things turn out for you and how you cleaned your wheels (I haven’t done mine yet as I don’t want the hassle of messing with the tender plug and haven’t figured a way to do them)
Tophias David, that is exactly the same issue I have with a BLI Hudson-stalls and then can be corrected by LIGHTLY pressing down on the tender. I’d be interested in how things turn out for you and how you cleaned your wheels (I haven’t done mine yet as I don’t want the hassle of messing with the tender plug and haven’t figured a way to do them)
i took the wheels off the tender trucks. Make sure you remember which side is which. They are polarity sensitive. I didn't and had a short when trying it out after cleaning. Anyways cleaned one set of wheels with track cleaner, bent the tabs that push on the axle so they had more pressure. It seemed to help as the loco only stalled at one point on the layout and a track cleaning fixed that. Will take the other set off tomor row and try to clean the loco drivers and pilot wheels. I really don't know anything about steam locos as this is my first. So not sure where the power pickup wheels are located. Must say I am highly disappointed in a 350$ loco that runs like this out of the box. Only got steam loco to use as an excursion train on my layout and now regret it. This loco can barely haul 5 passenger cars up 3% grade, and if your track work isn't perfect you will know it with a steam loco.