Kato

[Anonymous]

My kato SD40-2 will not run cold. i have my layout in a shed but it is like 12 degrees outside if it sit's for 5 minutes it will not run. can any one help me or does any of you have the same problem?[:(!]

[Anonymous]

Interesting, I'd suggest that maybe the grease in the gearing is solidifying at low temperatures - anyone else noticed how grease is easier to spread onto gears when it's been sitting by a radiator? Try storing your locos in a warmer place. Failing that, you could consider making an insulated storage box lined with polystyrene foam - this might help. Old electrical packaging is a good source of polystyrene for this purpose. You could also try putting a small heater in the shed, and rigging it either with a timer switch or some form of remote control so about 10 mins before you start running you switch on the heating to warm the shed.

I'd be inclined to suggest you store your locos indoors - that is to say, in the house. It's more secure and should help with this problem.

[Anonymous]

I do store my loco's inside my house. There is a heater out there i start it 2 hours befoe i go out. And the engine is this saturday will be only a week old.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNWfan5525

THANKS FOR HELPING NOT. I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ummmm....OK, i don't think that was called for. he was trying to help.

Let's see, you have an unheated shed that's at 12 degrees (F, I'm guessing), that you heat 2 hours before you go out there.

2 hours is probably not Long enough to Warm up everything in the shed, that means the electronics in your power supply ( or DCC system if you have one), the wires will still be quite cold, and the rails will still be cold.

That said, cold metal does not transmit DC electrical power as well as Warm metal. so what you're probably expiriencing is DC power lose from the cold metal. I'd suggest you warm the shed longer (not knowing the size of the shed, can't speculate on the time, but You'd really be better off to keep it at a constant temp).

Jay

[Anonymous]

thank you for your help

[IRONROOSTER]

I would consider insulating the shed walls and roof (floor if off the ground) and then using an electric heater to maintain a minimum temperature of around 50 desgrees. This may not be cheap - I don't know how big your shed is or easy - I don't know how your shed is built. The freezing/thawing cycles probably aren't good for the layout either. I remember years ago reading of someone who tried using a barn and gave it up because of the cold.
Good luck
Paul

[Anonymous]

the walls are insulated the heater maintains about 40 degrees in there and the shed is 10X12.