Comments on: Finished Wiring, Ran Smoothly Then…KAPUT!

By: Frank B

Frank B — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 23:00:35 +0000

If the behaviour of the problem locos is the same everywhere on the layout, but there is one loco that works fine, then it is logical that the problem locos have a fault, most likely a matter of wheel cleaning.

For the sake of fault diagnosis, it is wise to have a means of isolating sections of a large layout, to find out where the problem is.

Ensure that your power supply is sufficiently powerful if you intend to run all the trains simultaneously.
The power supply maximum output current must be at least equal to the the sum of the maximum stall currents taken by all the locos that will be running at the same time.

By: Bruce Woods

Bruce Woods — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 04:05:05 +0000

Clean the track and loco wheels and pickups

By: steve krupp

steve krupp — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:50:56 +0000

If one engine runs OK but 2 more run poorly it’s more likely that the 2 running poorly need wheels cleaned or even lift the cabs off and check for dust, loose wiring, no oil ect. If the transformer was bad and connected to the same track that all 3 ran on they should all run.

By: nelson t stahl

nelson t stahl — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:21:56 +0000

If one engine runs it’s not your transformer. The most likely problem is your pickups on your engines from the wheels. Clean the sides of your wheels should fix this.

By: Alvin Kushner

Alvin Kushner — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 08:58:31 +0000

Have you considered that you may have had a short circuit with a small metal object lying across the track. Your multimeter should give you a reading that will advise you.

By: phil+johnson

phil+johnson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 06:30:34 +0000

Until I installed a 5Amp booster to my system I had sound locomotives cutting out, stopping and rebooting my system. Booster corrected 95% of my problems

By: Hervey

Hervey — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 04:40:35 +0000

Chris,
Buy yourself a decent volt meter and learn how it functions. Check your power supply and all connections from there to your loco. If you do this in an orderly linear manner you should find the problem. It could be your power supply, poor connections at any point after the power supply up to the track. It could be dirt on your track or on your loco pickup wheels. If your cars are running with plastic wheels you most likely have a dirt problem. It could be a combination of any of the above.
Good luck. If you are running with plastic wheel sets on the cars look to upgrading to metal wheel sets. They run a lot cleaner.

By: Ananda

Ananda — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 02:54:02 +0000

You can check the transformer by putting an external load on it like a 12 volt bulb. Pay attention to the transformer capacity and the wattage of the bulb. If it gets overheated, you can say that it is shorting inside which is very rare. Since you made some changes, go over them one by one. You will find something like a poor connection somewhere. Is it possible that it happens only when you change the position of a particular turnout? If so, it could be a wiring fault.

By: Tom Valdivia

Tom Valdivia — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 02:38:01 +0000

Clean the track!

By: Frank B

Frank B — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 01:06:17 +0000

From what you say, most likely is the track or loco wheels need cleaning, but also check the pickup contact from the wheels/axle to the internal wires. Please let us know if this helps.

Transformers nornally last forever, unless they get dropped or overloaded.