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New Engine Runs in Opposite Direction?

Jim wants to hear what other think:

“I recently bought a new Porter Hustler engine by Model Power on ebay. When I put it on the track it ran in the opposite direction of all my other engines. It is a problem on my  layout. Any suggestions.”

Add you comments to help Jim.

5 Responses to New Engine Runs in Opposite Direction?

  • bernie says:

    Reverse leads to motor brushes.

    • Newman Atkinson says:

      I agree with Bernie here. You need to reverse the leads either where they attach to the motor or where they attach to the contacts for the wheels. Which ever was easier. This was a common error with some engines at one time. This can also happen with operating in DCC mode too, although it is easy to change directions but usually your direction arrows will be reversed. If you are installing a DCC Chip you need to follow the wiring diagram and the right wheels will wire to one wire and the left to the other. These feed wires follow the same principal in Standard DC as well. from Newman.

  • Craig Ingham says:

    An interesting question, especially in HO gauge. I am in “O” scale and have found the same problem. However, in my case I am the victim of the 3-rail influence on the marketplace. I have had to rewire several engines/powered cars so it would run in the correct direction. Our 3-rail brothers can easily hit the reverse button and get it to run in the desired direction and most don’t care if the lighting is incorrect.
    My recommendation is to first contact the manufacturer and describe your experience. If that does not provide an acceptable answer, get the tools out and learn how to change the wiring – it could be as simple as switching the wires to the motor. I have purchased costly imported brass power that required similar change to get it to run correctly.

    • Newman Atkinson says:

      If you are running 3 rail in like Lionel the wires could be reversed too. Power coming from the center rail is usually positive and the outer rails are usually ground. If I remember right that this is Ac Power using 3 rail. and if there is a reversing switch then it shouldn’t matter. I don’t know what you run into using the new digital systems similar to DCC. It could also be easy to change the wires at the pick-up contacts. from Newman

  • Dante Fuligni says:

    If the loco is DCC and equipped with a decoder, you can reverse direction by adding 1 to the value of CV29 if it programmed with an even number; if it is programmed with an odd number, try deducting 1..

    Dante

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