motor polarity

[Anonymous]

I am new to the hobby and bought an engine(ho) that runs in the opposite direction from all the other engines. Can I simply reverse the wires from the motor to the two trucks to correct the problem? This loco has been custom painted ,is an Athearn and has the wires soldered from the motor to each of the trucks-does not have the metal strip that usually comes on an athearn unit. Thanks;Doc

[Anonymous]

This should correct the problem. I had something similar with a new Model Power N-scale FP7 and simply turned the motor over in the frame to solve the problem. Does your loco still have the brass contact strip from the underside of the motor to the frame, or has this been re-wired as well? If it still has this strip it may be easier to unclip the motor and re-install it the other way up - you'll still have to re-solder the wires you mention but this would be the easiest way to fix it.

[Anonymous]

It looks more like the trucks were put on in reverse order. Change them around and this will fix your problem.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

thanks for the info.fellas-will try both. Doc

[rrinker]

No, no, one or the other.

If you do both it will run the same direction as it does now.

[:D]

[Anonymous]

Thinking about it, swapping the trucks as suggested above will probably be an easier job - also, I'm not sure if the motors can be fitted the other way up!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

Thinking about it, swapping the trucks as suggested above will probably be an easier job - also, I'm not sure if the motors can be fitted the other way up!

Putting the trucks on the wrong end is a common mistake. Don't ask me how I know!

Along the same line is the mistake of putting on insulated wheels on trucks the wrong way - as on passenger cars with lighting and on tenders with electrical pickups. A friend was looking at an older brass diesel at a local train show some time ago, and brought it over to try on our club's modules. It would emit sparks from the wheels and would not run at all. Because of this he got it for a reduced price. I suggested that he check and make sure that the insulated wheels were on opposite sides on the two trucks - they weren't. He just turned them around and had a good running loco! [:D]

Bob Boudreau