Electronics and DCC

Does anyone know a replacement for the electrical wipers for the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0?

I finally figured out why my loco's are running poorly, the electrical pickups are "wimpy" at best, plus I don't understand why Bachmann didn't use the tender wheels for pickup.

Anyone have any insight on either replacement part(s), modifications or any other suggestions to make these better runners?

Thanks in advance!!!

FIrst off, I have to assume you have the Standard line of this loco as all the Spectrum ones have tender pickups.  To address the driverst, take off the wheels, bend the wiper out, put the wheels back.

Or...send it back to Bachmann and let them know the issue you have with it.

You might also inquire about purchasing their Spectrum wheel sets or buy a Spectrum tender.

David B

Already tried that, the wipers are so thin they are flimsy and just don't make good contact.

I could send it back to Bachmann but eventually the same problem will probably reoccur.

 The Spectrum line can be had for cheap, and will run circles around your current model.

David B

 I have the spectrum model, that's the one I'm having problems with.

The front and rear tender wheels pickup from the track. One truck the right rail, the other truck the left rail. Use Kadee #5 springs to make pickups for the opposite side of each tender truck. I drilled and tapped for 00-90 machine screws. Used very flexible #30 wire for connecting. Found this idea at Harold M site that went away quite a few months ago. Make sure the axles are clean where the original wipers pick up. Clean wheels, drives and tender trucks.

Drivers.

http://members.shaw.ca/the.trainman/LV_Workshop/pesky-pickups/

Store in Favorites for future use.

Rich

Ben,

  I doubt if you have the 'Spectrum' 2-8-0.  It has electrical pickup in both the engine and tender.  The Bachmann 'Standard Line' 2-8-0 has a cheap drive with poor electrical pickup in the engine itself.  It is a model of a Reading prototype and has a wide firebox ahead of the cab..  I have a pair of the Spectrum 2-8-0's from different runs - both run very nice.

Jim

Nope I have the Spectrum model.

The electrical pickup from the tender is very poor also. I am going to try the additional pickups on the tender trucks as suggested. I still stand by my original observation that the pickups on the loco itself are very poorly done. And no my track is not dirty my diesels hum along perfectly fine as well as some of my other steamers.

 At first it sounded as though you did not have any tender pickup.  Of course the Spectrum 2-8-0 has always had tender pickup, even before the DCC versions and the two I have always have run fine.  Must be a defective engine?  Did you buy it used?

Bought it brand new, just over time the pickups are failing. I am going to update it with some of the ideas that were given here and I'll re-post and let everyone know how it works out.

I found Harold's idea for truck pickups. Harold and I have done that with the old time 4-4-0 locos with the motor in the tender.

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55057

Again, below is an article about the 2-8-0 driver maintenance.

The Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation, along with many other model steam locomotives, uses bronze fingers to pick up power from the  metal rims of their drivers.  Cleaning and adjusting these pickups for peak locomotive performance is tricky, but it can be done.  Here is how.

http://members.shaw.ca/the.trainman/LV_Workshop/pesky-pickups/

The new Roundhouse steamers are nice. They come with all wheel pickups for the tender. I was able to buy the trucks and new tender with speaker opening frames that fit my older MDC locos.

Rich

When all else fails, such as when the bronze fingers become wimpy, mangled and/or can't be reshaped , a replacement bottom plate assembly complete with fingers and two motor wires and micro connector (to tender) can be ordered from Bachmann.

 This also is a reasonable and inexpensive solution if a motor wire breaks off at the connector, as I've found.

" I finally figured out why my loco's are running poorly, the electrical pickups are "wimpy" at best, plus I don't understand why Bachmann didn't use the tender wheels for pickup."

I don't understand did the tender pickups magically appear? first you didn't have them now you do? I have at least 6 spectrum steam locos that have never had a single pick up issue not saying it can't happen, but not sending it back to Bachmann just because you feel it's only going to happen again is just plain silly. All manufactures make improvements to their products or maybe you just got a poorly made hook up. If you really want to cure the problem box it up and purchase either a BLI or a Proto Heritage 2000 locomotive.

Apparently there are others who have had the same problems as I did... read the posts proceeding yours...

The pickup from the tender was so poor I assumed that it was non-existent. 

bmvernil:

Apparently there are others who have had the same problems as I did.

I hesitate to relate my experience with my brand new DCC Spectrum 2-8-0 because it is not good at all.  My new engine ran half way around my layout and then stopped.  I cleaned the wheels and put it back on track and it ran a little ways and became intermittent and stopped. Then I noticed most of the pickups on the main drivers didn't even touch the wheels.  So, I sent it along with a note to Bachmann for repair.

When it came back it was again intermittent and would only run on a 15 ft straight stretch of track and derailed at turnouts.  I found the front drivers were out of gauge, too wide. Then the gears started grinding and I sent it back to Bachmann for the second time.  I directed it to the "Service Manager" along with a note describing the problems. 

It recently came back - just as it left - again with no repairs made and a note saying no problem found and it just needed break-in. When I looked at the driver contacts they still didn't touch the wheels.  I tried it anyway and now the gears only grind about 10% of the time.  The engine still won't go through a turnout without stopping, and it still derails at #6 turnouts.

Nuf said.