Stalling Locos, Track Power Issues

ajkochev Sep 8, 2020

  1. ajkochev

    ajkochev TrainBoard Member

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    Just converted to DCC. I have a couple of bachmann locos that I'd like to get to run better. Continuity testing shows most of the failure points to be where the trucks power flanges rubs against the right or left half of the metal frame. By contrast I have a old Life like GP9 that I made DCC with a LaisDCC Decoder. It runs great on the same track and its trucks have a wire going from the trucks to the decoder, no moving metal parts that need to have contact.

    I'm wondering how to go about getting these Bachmann locos to run like this. I've considered soldering wires to the trucks and running to the wires to the decoder terminals but the shell is skin tight, I'd have to machine groves for the wiree.

    Anyone else have Ideas to get these contact points to work better?
     
  2. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    What Bachmann models are you looking at, specifically? Their mechanisms vary a bit between models is why I ask.
     
  3. ajkochev

    ajkochev TrainBoard Member

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    Bachmann Spectrum GE 44 ton DCC On Board is the one I'd really like to get working good.
     
  4. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    go to spookshow and look at his write up. I have a 44 toner and it runs great after I cleaned the trucks
     
  5. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    What NS737 says is probably your answer. Here is the Spookshow entry: http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bach44ton.html .

    I've got two of these and they can get finicky if you get even a little guck back there, but with some cleaning they run well.
     
  6. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I also have 4 of these locos and all run great with no issues what so ever. But I do service my locos at least twice a year which includes a light lube if needed and a wheel and truck cleaning.
     

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