So among a few of my mantua engines my favorite is my 2-6-6-2 mallet #8 but I have no clue how old it actually is and if it has or can be converted to dcc. This is one of several ho engines I bought at a garage sale for two dollars a engine and it runs great with directional lighting.
Anything can be converted to DCC. Bing Videos See the Model Railroader's DCC Column every month. Maybe write a very nice letter asking for advice. Also do an internet search with Mantua 2-6-6-2T plus DCC plus Install
As for age, I think the original 2-6-6-2T came out in the early Eighties. It would take more of a Mantua ex-spurt than I to tell you the various upgrades and when they were implemented, but at some point Mantua switched from open frame "Pittman Style" to Can motors and some came DCC ready.
I noticed that it stops at turnouts. How do I remedy this?
Hi there. Here are helpful instructions on how to install DCC on that model:
https://drupal.tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1439
As for power pickup, I had the same issues with mine. I fixed it by adding a tender, with extra power pickups. You could also address the issue by adding a keep-alive decoder.
Simon
snjroy Hi there. Here are helpful instructions on how to install DCC on that model: https://drupal.tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1439 As for power pickup, I had the same issues with mine. I fixed it by adding a tender, with extra power pickups. You could also address the issue by adding a keep-alive decoder. Simon
my mantua mallet doesn't have that circuit board in the cab. It has a 5 pole motor there.
Mantua switched from open-frame to Sagami can motors in the late eighties, so your engine would be from like 1987 or a bit earlier.
Mantua made a retrofit 'kit' to replace the old open frame motors with the Sagami can motor. Since you have to remove the motor to insulate it from the frame (for the DCC conversion) anyway, you might see if you can track one of those kits down on Ebay etc.
You'll need to do a "hardwire" installation, meaning you'll need to get a decoder harness and solder the wire connections to the track, lights, and motor.
And if you're wise, you'll read the threads here about converting these open-frame motors to use high-strength NIB magnets. Do not cut or grind these to get them to fit -- use steel or soft iron. Decoders don't like high motor amp draw, which is typical of older motors as they age.
Stone and clean your commutator and clean out the slots, and be sure your brushes are making solid contact. You don't want intermittent contact at any sort of high current...
As I recall that engine may go back as far as the mid to late 1960's. MR review said something on the order of the greatest thing to happen in that era and might be the engine eveyone should get. There was quite a bit of kit bashing to make it into other engines at the time.
This is the mantua mallet!
wjstix Mantua switched from open-frame to Sagami can motors in the late eighties, so your engine would be from like 1987 or a bit earlier. Mantua made a retrofit 'kit' to replace the old open frame motors with the Sagami can motor. Since you have to remove the motor to insulate it from the frame (for the DCC conversion) anyway, you might see if you can track one of those kits down on Ebay etc. You'll need to do a "hardwire" installation, meaning you'll need to get a decoder harness and solder the wire connections to the track, lights, and motor.
This is what I meant by the 5 pole motor.
Photo does not appear.
Alton Junction
Try tapping or clicking the picture then downloading it.
I am getting an error code on both my iPhone and my Dell Laptop.
There ya go.
Rich
richhotrain There ya go. Rich
so is my mantua mallet from the 60's or 80's
Both. Or neither. Time to go on the Net and learn to do research.