Athearn engines ARE quiet!

[mtrails]

I just found a magic Athearn motor, shutting up solution. Immagine running your Athearn locomotive, no matter what it's age, and hearing no more than the wheels against the rails. Hit up your local Home Depot, or Lowes, and grab a can of 2-26. You'll find it in the electrical section, and its a blue can with white text. First clean your commutator with electrical contact cleaner, or alcohol (applied with a Q-tip), and let dry for a few minutes, then apply just one tiny little drop of 2-26 to the commutator of your loco's motor, and spin by hand a few revolutions, then with a dry Q-tip, remove the excess with 1 or 2 revolutions and then let set for about 5 minutes.

When you get your shell back on, and put power to your loco, you will be amazed at how much quieter it is. I also applied 2-26 to the bushings where the drive axes pick up track current.

I also noticed that my 15-year old Athearn's that need at least 30% throttle to pull 10 cars up a 2% grade, can now do it at 25%.

A 5 oz. can is under $2.00, and the larger can is about $5.00

I'd like to hear if anyone else has used this stuff, or the remarks from those who use the product as a result of this thread.

Regards,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mtrails

I just found a magic Athearn motor, shutting up solution. Immagine running your Athearn locomotive, no matter what it's age, and hearing no more than the wheels against the rails. Hit up your local Home Depot, or Lowes, and grab a can of 2-26. You'll find it in the electrical section, and its a blue can with white text. First clean your commutator with electrical contact cleaner, or alcohol (applied with a Q-tip), and let dry for a few minutes, then apply just one tiny little drop of 2-26 to the commutator of your loco's motor, and spin by hand a few revolutions, then with a dry Q-tip, remove the excess with 1 or 2 revolutions and then let set for about 5 minutes.

When you get your shell back on, and put power to your loco, you will be amazed at how much quieter it is. I also applied 2-26 to the bushings where the drive axes pick up track current.

I also noticed that my 15-year old Athearn's that need at least 30% throttle to pull 10 cars up a 2% grade, can now do it at 25%.

A 5 oz. can is under $2.00, and the larger can is about $5.00

I'd like to hear if anyone else has used this stuff, or the remarks from those who use the product as a result of this thread.

Regards,
Jeremy

[(-D]. Problem solved I guess. So much for those noisy Athearns I guess.
Allan.

[mtrails]

I don't hear anyone complaining about other locos being noisy...

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mtrails

I don't hear anyone b*tching about other locos being noisy...

If your 'joined' date indicates how long you've been here, wait.. You'll hear the b*tching.

Thanks for the tip though. What exactly is 2-26??

[Medina1128]

Wow... I have at least 5 Athearn locomotives and I'm assuming your talking about the BB models. I have one Genesis and it's shhhhhhh.. really quiet.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Medina1128

Wow... I have at least 5 Athearn locomotives and I'm assuming your talking about the BB models. I have one Genesis and it's shhhhhhh.. really quiet.

I have one very old Athearn and it is pure noise. We recently purchased a Genesis engine and it is very, very quite.

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Mtrails.

It's good that you started this thread as quieting Athearns has always been an interesting topic.

As a fellow forum member I'm just passing to you a friendly caution.....be cool with the language. Bergie, our moderator, allows us a lot of freedom but he also upholds the standards to keep this a high quality forum.

Anyway........I'm going to pass your idea on to a friend of mine who is an Athern tune up pro.

There have been various methods that modelers have been using including the "Pearl Drops" toothpaste method on noisy gears from the trucks. For the worm gear slack, experts recommend shimming (though not too tightly).

So it appears that by performing your method "PLUS" the toothpaste method on the trucks, an Athearn can run much more quietly. I'll buy a can of 2-26 on my next trip to Home Depot.

BTW:
For those of you with quiet Genesis units, I'm glad they're quiet. I know that the F units are usually smooth runners. However, as I've stated on other posts, my wife's cousin purchased two Genesis six axle units in the BNSF schemes. One is an SD75M the other a modern GE. Those $100+ puppies are as loud as my old Blue Box Athearns. One had a warped truck. He is so irritated that he no longer will buy Athearn locomotives

[Anonymous]

Amazing what you can find when you poke about the Internet!

MSDS Data Sheet...
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=3003020

Which lead me to CRC's Products Page to find this:
http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=02004&S=Y

After looking things over, this may help with some noisy fans at Work!

Chris

[mtrails]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Hello Mtrails.

As a fellow forum member I'm just passing to you a friendly caution.....be cool with the language.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't think using the "B" word was on the bad language side. I did edit the word on my original post.

QUOTE: Originaly posted by rolleiman
If your 'joined' date indicates how long you've been here, wait.. You'll hear the b*tching.

Thanks for the tip though. What exactly is 2-26??

I know there are other locos that are noisy, but Athearns are talked about the most. I have old and new (none of them Genesis) that were noisy.

2-26 is an electrical lubricant, which improves conductivity, repels moisture, and helps prevent corrosion.


One of the guys at my local hobby shop turned me onto it.

I just hope everyone who uses it (on any loco) will be as satisfied as I am.

Jeremy

[Darth Santa Fe]

Thanks for that tip![:D] I'll have to try that sometime.[:D]

[Don Gibson]

LET'S SEE:

You found a magical elixer that takes the noise out of Athearns. It's a Petroleum Distillate (read thin) Oil Lubricant.

As a Lubricant, it will reduce friction - where ever that is - for a while - and attract dirt. Without finding the source of the noise, I predict it will return. Some find vibration in the gears, Brakie finds it in the shell. Others have found it in the motor or flywheels.

I think it's really poor Quality Control, no matter where it is.

BB?Joe D'Elia found the answers.
http://www.ppw-aline.com/custom_built_chassis.htm

[Anonymous]

I like very noisy Locomotives. It makes them almost sound so real.
Allan.

[trainfan1221]

I don't recall my Athearn engines being too noisy, but it was a while back. I know I had trouble with the way some of them ran.

[mtrails]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

LET'S SEE:

You found a magical elixer that takes the noise out of Athearns. It's a Petroleum Distillate (read thin) Oil Lubricant.

As a Lubricant, it will reduce friction - where ever that is - for a while - and attract dirt. Without finding the source of the noise, I predict it will return. Some find vibration in the gears, Brakie finds it in the shell. Others have found it in the motor or flywheels.

I think it's really poor Quality Control, no matter where it is.

BB?Joe D'Elia found the answers.
http://www.ppw-aline.com/custom_built_chassis.htm

It may attract dirt. It may wear out and need to be re-applied. I don't care, my Athearns are quiet! For now... [:D]

And I do agree, it is poor quality control. Athearn can't shut 'em up, nor can I. Since I started this quick-fix tip topic, I will offer to regularly report my findings after having used the product, and at which point the product is re-applied, or com cleaning is evident.

I suggest anyone who is willing to use the product to do so at own risk, since I cannot yet prove it's worth.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Medina1128]

Years ago, I found a tube of graphite lube. It had a runny consistency, but when applied to a commutator in Athearn motors, then wiped off, the results were amazing. Not only was it quieter, but the graphite also helped low speed operation immensely.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mtrails

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Hello Mtrails.

Thanks for the tip though. What exactly is 2-26??

I know there are other locos that are noisy, but Athearns are talked about the most. I have old and new (none of them Genesis) that were noisy.

2-26 is an electrical lubricant, which improves conductivity, repels moisture, and helps prevent corrosion.

It's actually very similar to non-conductive WD-40. We use a lot of it, and a lot of Liquid Wrench, a little Gibbs, some As Seen On TV (PB B'Laster) and some Bolt Buster (really cheap stuff). All of them are very similar really, some just foam more than others, or are lighter or heavier or non-conductive so they meet different needs. Bolt Buster smells alot like Vanilla Ice Cream when it burns. (don't ask)

I think the biggest problem with this is, the carrier will slowly evaporate, and as the lube that's left sits there, it'll slowly distribute and disappear, so I think you'll probably have to re-do it pretty often.

Greg

[mtrails]

This is such a great forum! Everyone relays their bit of info from their personal knowledge, and experience, to provide a wide angle view of the topic at hand. I'm not just talking about this particular topic, but in general, as I have noticed in reading many of the other topics throughout the forum. I'm glad that all that we share in this hobby, can be expressed so vividly.

Jeremy

[Don Gibson]

Jeremy

A 'hobby' involves learning.

"Without finding the source of the noise, I predict it will return".

D.G.

[mtrails]

I learned the noise was coming from the brushes against the commutator?[%-)]

[Don Gibson]

Slight disagreement.

Athearn BB engines were known for years for poorly balanced commutators. .MR even had articles on 'How to Balance them by using two leveled razor blades and drilling slight indents. Later versions even had off-center flywheels.

[waltersrails]

thanks all try it myself

[Anonymous]

For Canadians;
(Correction. I think the following information from CRC is wrong. CRC 3-36 does not appear to be intended for electrical use. Some salesman does not know his products.)
CRC 2-26 is the US part number. In Canada please reference CRC 3-36, part number 73005.

The following are CRC Industrial distributors in Edmonton: Maybe a clue for other centers.

Certified Tool; Acklands-Grainger; Gregg Distributors; Century Vallen; Commercial Solutions;
Edmonton Nut & Bolt; Amre Supply; Fastenal.

I am going to get some and try it. Let you know the results.

[Anonymous]

Tried the Pearl Drops and it seemed to lessen the coffee grinder noise,so Im going to give the 2-26 a shot . Cant hurt and I can use it for other things around the house. Thanks for the info.

[mtrails]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

Slight disagreement.

Athearn BB engines were known for years for poorly balanced commutators. .MR even had articles on 'How to Balance them by using two leveled razor blades and drilling slight indents. Later versions even had off-center flywheels.

True. I have two locos, each with one of those problems. However, neither of them were noisy. Well the one with the bad comm ticks a little bit.

QUOTE: [i]Originally posted by mtrails[i]
Since I started this quick-fix tip topic, I will offer to regularly report my findings after having used the product, and at which point the product is re-applied, or com cleaning is evident.

Well, it's only been 10 days, but here are my findings:

I have been running the two most noisy locos for the past 10 days, one with a squeaky brush/comm, and one that was just noisy. Both locos are BB and only several months old. (funny the newest locos were the noisiest) I have been running the two in consist, 1 hour per day, and alternating order, and direction every other day. The comm on the units look tarnished, more than usual, I expect because of the lubricant storing brush carbon. At any rate they are just as quiet as the day I treated them. They start moving at a lower throttle setting, and can maintain a slow speed of about 1/4" per two seconds. without completely stalling, or noticable pulsing. (?word?)

I will continue running the locos without cleaning the comm until my next update. Hopefully 30 days from now.

Has anyone else used the product?

Regards,
Jeremy

[Don Gibson]

TRY using a pencil eraser against the running commutator to clean it

[Anonymous]

I tried it on one engine so far. Seems a little better, but I really would like to hold off judgement until I have had a chance to get some mileage on it.
Its hard to tell, as ALL my Athearns have had thier commutators polished and springs cut back , universals relaxed and phased, before they ever see the rails.

[breezer]

I bought a can of 2-26 today and decided to give it a try on one of my BB engines. I cleaned the commutator and applied a drop on it, turned the motor and then let it dry awhile. Put loco on track and ran it, and it was a little quieter but not what I expected. Maybe I need to let it dry the 4-6 hours called out in the directions. The best thing I was referred to but a gentleman at Caboose Hobbies in Denver is a product called Conducta Lube-cleaner made by Atlas. A small drop on the commutator and a world of difference for performance and quietness of motor. I would recommend it to everyone. It is a very good conductor and lube in one. The BB loco's still require cleaning and reapplication every few weeks of running but is well worth it. Some of my BB loco's are as quiet as my PK'S and Atlas locos. I think a lot of athearns noisy motors are from the course commutator grooves and the type of brushes they use. Just my 2-cents. This is a great forum!! Breezer

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I have an Athearn SD40-2 that is quiet going forwards but very noisy going backwards. I tracked the problem to the gear boxes. The problem is that the gears are mounted too loose and therefore allow the gears to move around more than they need to. This creates vibration, thus creating the sounds I hear. A whine and sometimes a shreik. My other SD40-2 run very well with little noise. It's also Athearn BB.

[pkeppers]

I have several Athearn Genesis F units. A couple of them are real squealers, usually in one direction. I was surprised when taking them apart to find they didn’t have can type motors, they are open on the side. I've tried several clean/lube combinations and none works very long. They chirp like a little bird to the point where they are not fun to run. Overall I'm very disappointed with the Genesis mechanically (they look great). The BB had a growl to them but I didn’t mind that, almost liked it. I've also had problems with the outside current pickup in the truck where I never had a problem with the BB square inside bushing. Overall the best combination, in my opinion is a BB mechanism and a Genesis shell.

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pkeppers

I have several Athearn Genesis F units. A couple of them are real squealers, usually in one direction. I was surprised when taking them apart to find they didn’t have can type motors, they are open on the side. I've tried several clean/lube combinations and none works very long. They chirp like a little bird to the point where they are not fun to run. Overall I'm very disappointed with the Genesis mechanically (they look great).

The motor is actually a can motor, but the sides have square holes for better cooling. The motor was made by Roco.

The chirping is coming from the motor's commutator. You could probably try taking the front flywheel off, taking the brushes out and polishing the commutator with a lubricant, or if you're like me, a Kleenex. Those Kleenex tissues work pretty well for cleaning, I've found. I stopped some chirping in a P1K motor by cleaning the commutator with a Kleenex.[:D]

If that works, your engines should run silent.[:D]