BUMP!!!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Before a diagnosis can be made, some information is needed.
1- How did it run on DC? In particular how slow did it run.
2- is it having problems at all speed steps? and at all resistance situations, straight flat track, turnouts, grades, curves etc.?
3-Did it run to begin with and start having the problem after a few minutes? or did it just start with the problem?
4- How old is the model? Older versions had a limited number of pickup points. Newer versions have more.
5- What kind of decoder are you using?
Even though we would like to say there is a universal answer to this type situation, there usually is not. A systematic approach usually will isolate where the power is being lost.
Larry
www.llxlocomotives.com
So many trains, so little time,
The Rivarossi Big Boy is notorious for lack of power pick up- in fact there are only two points per side- not enough for DCC- if you add additional power pick ups you should be good and not have issues.
If this is one of the newer Rivarossi Big Boys, their power pickup design is very flaky -- a small spring-loaded plunger rubs against one wheel on the left side of one engine, and another rubs against one wheel on the right side of the other engine, and there's no pickup at all from the tender.
Rivarossi realizes that this is a very poor design, and is supposed to be coming out with a modified version next year. Contact them now about getting a replacement.
ClockworkchaoticI just switched my bigboy to dcc and it keeps cutting out, I tried cleaning, using tighter springs and even bending the front and back trailing wheels down but it keeps struggling to moves then stops.
Clockworkchaotic,
You'd think with all those wheels, there would not be a continuity problem. Oh well! Unfortunately, the combination of less than ideal pickup on the model and DCC that is finicky on good continuity to send packets of encoded information to the model through the rails/wheels spells problems (AKA stalling, flickering lights, sound dropouts, etc.) Anytime I have pickup issues with a loco, I simply add a power interruption module by Soundtrax (CurrentKeeper)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv_Vh0ACFyk
TCS makes a comparable add-on unit called Keep Alive. Once these babies are in, you'll never experience annoying "stop and go" running.
Of course, I'm assuming you have a pickup issue. However, if your decoder (whatever the make and model) is overheating for whatever reason, you will experience intermitant overload shutdowns. That is another ball of wax. First, I'd check for pickup/dirty track issues to know what your next move is.
Joel
Modeling the C&O New River Subdivision circa 1949 for the fun of it!