Any advices on tweaking Bachmann Spectrum engines ?

[Anonymous]

I've recently purchased some DF-4B Bachmann China engines. Very good overall, and I like the red leds on the back of the engine. Overall it is is Spectrum. And like Spectrum they are a bit noisy. Factory lubrication is plenty, I've checked. So I am wondering on what modellers can hint about noise reduction, on Spectrum in particular.

[Anonymous]

Day goes by, not a single response. I take it noone here ever heard of Spectrum ?

[RMax1]

I have a couple of Spectrums and at first was disappointed in them as far as performance. I recently broke one out of the bos to use it as a test engine and ran it for about 3 hours non stop.. The engine runs great and almost as well as some Proto 2000's I have. I haven't tried the other one yet to be able to say they need a real good break in period.

RMax

[Anonymous]

Yes, I did notice their top speed is considerably less than even Kato, not to mention Atlas.
But that doesn't bother me as much as noise.

[cacole]

Part of the problem is that people like me don't know what a DF-4B China Engine is -- define it more clearly for me. Is it a diesel or steam? If it's a diesel, the noise is most likely vibration of the shell on the frame, which can be determined by running the chassis without the shell on it to see if the noise subsides.

[Bikerdad]

SCALE?? WHAT SCALE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? DID YOU HAPPEN TO MENTION WHAT SCALE?








OH, BY THE WAY, i DIDN'T CATCH WHAT SCALE YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT, SO I CAN'T HELP YOU.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bikerdad

SCALE?? WHAT SCALE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? DID YOU HAPPEN TO MENTION WHAT SCALE?









OH, BY THE WAY, i DIDN'T CATCH WHAT SCALE YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT, SO I CAN'T HELP YOU.

Childred, see what happends when you don't take your medicine on time ?

[Anonymous]

I've noticed some noise problems with my HO Spectrum Dash 8 - only if I run it fast though, at normal freight speeds it's nearly silent. I would try running the loco with the shell off as suggested above, gently resting a finger on the frame for a while - if you feel vibration, and if the noise ceases, there's the cause of the noise. Cures can range from the foam sheet found in Athearn Blue Box packaging to masking tape - I used this on a Model Power N-scale FP7 which has a metal shell and frame, the rattling stopped instantly. If I remember correctly, the DF4B is a diesel?

Spectrum locos do seem to need a decent-length run to bed in components - mine cruised round the test track for the best part of a day before I was happy with it, now it's a valued loco for both switching (slow and quiet), and line work (can haul as much as 2 Athearn Dash 9s). Hope this is of some help!

[Don Gibson]

As far as I know, the word out on Spectrum is 'They're Uneven' - some better than others - (some worser) - Probably caused by different factories producing different products in different countries - and all using the same umbrella name 'Spectrum'.

One has to take EACH product individually - isn't this sorta' like 'People'?

SOME products are known for their consistancy: KATO for instance. Stewart and Atlas for another? Is this an accident? - or putting accent on quality?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

As far as I know, the word out on Spectrum is 'They're Uneven' - some better than others (and some worser).

Last time I saw something as uneven as Spectrum quality on 2 rails, was called a rollercoaster!!!!![:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

As far as I know, the word out on Spectrum is 'They're Uneven' - some better than others - (some worser) -

Excellent wording Donald.
Initially with-held comment until the word"Uneven".
I bot my first Spectrum, the HW(DC) just about a year ago.See MR Oct 03 and boy was I surprised , delighted and at good price of approx $125.00
This 20 oz C & O looked sharp and had a top end high speed but then I noticed a decline in top speed, then stalls & hesitation. You could eat off my tracks and my wheels, just as clean but no improvements.
I'm not a heavy steam user and alternate between diesels. No problems with my three year old Allegheny.
I have been burned by steam before so the time came to part company and step up to the 16 oz P2K Berks. I'm a firm believer in good weight and despite the minus 4 ozs in the Berks versus the HW as a double header hauling 28-30 up my 2.60+ grade, they run like a clock.

Time will tell. Price wise, I would have preferred a pair of HWs. Just my nickel's worth and that's discounted.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dimastep

I've recently purchased some DF-4B Bachmann China engines. Very good overall, and I like the red leds on the back of the engine. Overall it is is Spectrum. And like Spectrum they are a bit noisy. Factory lubrication is plenty, I've checked. So I am wondering on what modellers can hint about noise reduction, on Spectrum in particular.

Suggestions in order:
1. run it in for at least an hour at speeds varying from 1/4 to 3/4 throttle in each direction, with curves in each direction. If you have just an oval, stop it every 10 minutes or so, and put it facing the other direction on the oval.

2. disassemble, clean out all of the factory installed lubricant from the trucks, using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Keep the IPA away from painted surfaces.

3. re-lubricate sparingly, very very small amount, with good plastic compatible hobby grease and oil as appropriate; Bachmann, LaBelle, and others offer these, ask at your Local Hobby Shop (LHS). The motor bearing takes one tiny drop of oil. Wipe off access with a clean paper towel.

4. re-assemble. Run at slow varying speeds to distribute the lubricant.

5. Verify that the mechanism is quiet without the shell, if noisy with the shell, make sure that shell is constrained so it does not rattle (as suggested above). If constrained, you may need to added damping or stiffening to the inside of the shell.