Login
or
Register
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
»
Model Railroader
»
Forums
»
General Discussion (Model Railroader)
»
break in
break in
860 views
7 replies
Order Ascending
Order Descending
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
break in
Posted by
Anonymous
on Saturday, February 12, 2005 9:46 PM
I'm a proud owner of a brand new GP-38-2 made by Athearn. Is there a break in period and if there is just was is the way to go about it? It's my first engine and my wife bought it for me,so, i would really like to give it the best life I can.Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Diesel
Reply
Edit
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Saturday, February 12, 2005 10:04 PM
I'm not sure about Athearn's break in procedure, but most manufacturers do have a procedure of some sort, usually included in the instructions. Basically, you want to follow those instructions, if possible. The recommended procedure for one of my P2K diesel locomotives is to operate at varying speeds, starting and stopping frequently while running in both forward and reverse for an hour or so. The main purpose of this is to "seat" the motor brushes to improve operation for the life of the locomotive (or until the brushes need to be replaced). The procedure for an Athearn diesel locomotive like yours should not be very different.
Reply
Edit
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Saturday, February 12, 2005 10:08 PM
The only papers I got with it was a parts list with an exploded view of it . There was nothing saying anything about a break in .I just don't know
Thanks
Diesel
Reply
Edit
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Saturday, February 12, 2005 10:13 PM
You should be fine if you use the P2K procedure. Again, the purpose of the break in period is to allow the motor brushes to seat properly. By varying speed and direction as well as starting and stopping frequently for about an hour, you should achieve this goal.
Reply
Edit
pedromorgan
Member since
June 2004
From: London
313 posts
Posted by
pedromorgan
on Sunday, February 13, 2005 3:04 AM
i have a figure of 8 track that i run new loco's for 45 minutes in each direction. this beds the gears down very nicely. afterwards i put a dab of oil on the bearings.
Peter
Reply
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Sunday, February 13, 2005 9:30 AM
Thanks for all the imput,,,it helps out alot,,, Thanks again
Diesel
Reply
Edit
BRAKIE
Member since
October 2001
From: OH
17,574 posts
Posted by
BRAKIE
on Sunday, February 13, 2005 10:35 AM
The way I break all of my engines in regardless of the brand is I run them both ways for 45 minutes..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Reply
willy6
Member since
January 2003
From: Ridgeville,South Carolina
1,294 posts
Posted by
willy6
on Sunday, February 13, 2005 11:00 AM
While we are on the subject, I have 3 P2K's I bought 3 years ago at a train show that are still in the box never opened. Being they have been dormant all this time,Is there any thing additional I should do before I start running them being they sat so long?
Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it.
Reply
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Users Online
There are no community member online
Search the Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up